DesignRush is proud to welcome renowned branding and design expert Justen Hong as the newest member of our Design Awards jury.
With an impressive career defined by a meticulous focus on crafting compelling logos, eye-catching graphics, and innovative websites, Hong’s contributions to the design world are vast and impactful.
Who Is Justen Hong?
Justen is the founder and owner, as well as the "Head Eye-Catcher," of graphic and web design company Visual Lure. He has a proven track record of award-winning designs that have been celebrated at international competitions and have been published in prestigious publications like Logo Talks II and The Big Book of Packaging.
Justen’s career is a testament to his dedication to design excellence.
His work has been featured in top design publications and garnered many international awards.
Some of his noteworthy achievements include a second-place finish in Logo Wave and having his designs showcased in Behance’s Branding Gallery and Adobe Illustrator Gallery.
These accolades reflect his gift for crafting aesthetically pleasing and strategically effective designs, making him a standout figure in the industry.
A Philosophy Rooted in Purpose and Innovation
At Visual Lure, Justen leads with a philosophy that emphasizes the purpose behind every design.
He believes that unlike art, which can exist solely for its aesthetic value, design must fulfill an objective.
"The initial explorations toward achieving these goals should be undertaken with no bars or restraints on creativity. While much of it may end up discarded, the greatest ideas emerge from this creative exploration," he explains.
This approach has positioned Visual Lure as an industry leader and one of the best logo design agencies, delivering outstanding work that resonates with clients and meets their evolving needs.
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"Designing logos is among my favorite types of projects. Back in college, I used to go to the local bookstore to buy all the latest logo books, with LogoLounge being my favorite. I vividly recall dreaming of having just one logo featured in those books.
In 2008, I achieved that dream by getting two logos into Masterbook 4. Since then, I've had the honor of having 64 logos published across 11 LogoLounge books. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment," Justen shares with DesignRush.
Justen’s insights into the future of design are deeply influenced by current trends, particularly the rise of AI in creative industries.
While he acknowledges AI’s growing capabilities, he firmly believes that the ingenuity of a creative human can’t be replaced.
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This belief guides his approach to judging, where he looks for designs that are purposeful and executed with great craftsmanship.
“Exceptional design is visually captivating and eye-catching, logically coherent without requiring explanation, memorable, and it evokes both thought and emotion, ultimately prompting action.
While good design may achieve some of these criteria, exceptional design achieves them all," he says.
As he joins DesignRush’s Design Awards, Justen brings a wealth of experience that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of designers.
His advice to aspiring creatives is to stay curious, persevere through challenges, and never settle for anything less than excellence.
"Draw, sketch, read, explore, and don't get discouraged. Additionally, don't hesitate to abandon a good idea if it can't be executed correctly. Great design shouldn't be forced," he points out.
Is your creative genius ready for recognition? Submit your work and join the top designers celebrated by DesignRush.
Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang
