Meet the Team | Nimbler. Josh Leonard
Please join us in welcoming Josh Leonard to Nimble. As our newest Brand Designer, Josh will serve as an extension of our design team responsible for bringing brands to life in the built environment. Learn more about Josh’s storied creative track leading up to his start at Nimble. in this 3-min. read.
👋 Hey Josh!
Tell our community where you found your start in design and what encouraged you to make the recent leap into branded environments?
JL: My journey into pursuing design professionally has not been what most would describe as traditional. When I graduated high school, I made the leap to attend SCAD, thinking I wanted to pursue Industrial Design but it wasn’t clicking. After a few quarters of exploration, I switched to Historic Preservation and it was an immediate ‘ah-ha’ connection. The ability to breathe fresh life into storied places was something I didn’t know I was seeking, but it brought me back to the joy of helping family with restorative DIY projects growing up. I entered into various architectural roles post-graduation, but during the recession was forced to press pause on my creative pursuits.
Fast forward, I’ve since spent long tracks exploring the technical ‘how’ and creative design of product packaging as a Structural Designer, tinkered with brand building and campaign activation as a Senior Designer at an marketing agency, and am now feeling this right-fit to go back to my roots exploring brand and place connections as Nimble.’s newest Brand Designer.
Josh’s College Town, Downtown Savannah
Cocktail of choice: Negroni
Fill-in-the-blank: People often say I’m brilliant at ___________.
JL: Making a mean cocktail (I’m not too bad at drinking them either). You can’t beat the atmosphere of a really good cocktail bar. The natural conversation, the commitment to craft, impromptu cheers.
Cocktail of choice: Negroni
What motivates you to bring your best self daily?
JL: By far, the opportunity to influence and improve the lives of others through connected brand details. The ability to shape places, while respecting the past is something I feel called to do as a designer.
The work environments in which I thrive have…
JL: I may be in the minority here, but for myself personally, it’s not a certain ‘thing’ but a found connection. Finding that ‘ah-ha’ connection point to my work takes time and isn’t always a formula. Sometimes I find it in early research, other times through found commonalities with Client and end-users.
In studio, I’d say flexibility is key. I like to choose when I’m around others and seek quiet space if the task requires laser focus.
The sort of projects which really excite me have…
JL: A storied past and a desire for reinvention.
What are you most excited to contribute and learn at Nimble. in your new role?
JL: The opportunity to test and connect disciplines.
Josh’s desk scene
Yuzu Sushi in Chamblee
What is your hands-down favorite topic of conversation?
JL: F&B!
One of our favorite activities is scouting out restaurants on the weekends.
A few of our unfiltered favorites:
Seed in Marietta
Zest on Canton Street
Yuzu (Sushi) in Chamblee
Grand Champion BBQ in Milton
Variant Brewing (of course!) in Downtown Roswell
Beyond work, I’m really passionate about...
JL: My wife, Melissa, and building our life together. We were married in March of this year and just recently closed on our first home together in the Northeast ATL metro area. My wife is very excited about holidays at home (she’s a pro at festive decorating) and I’m looking forward to getting my hands back into DIY projects. The list is already growing.
What’s the one thing the Nimble. community should know about you?
JL:
I place a high value on relationships and quality time shared. I've learned through hardship that time is what you make of it. I'm a fiercely loyal family man and push myself to be aware of my time spend so I can be present in every situation.
Josh and his wife, Melissa, at an Atlanta United game
Thanks for reading the newest interview in our Nimble. Meet the Team series.
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For questions or to add to the conversation, contact us at hello@nimbledesignco.com.