Storytelling doesn’t always come in the form of books, song lyrics, films or the spoken word. It also can materialize through digital branding.
Jay Foust, 38, director of digital experience at Gigantic Design Co., said his work begins with gathering information about his clients.
“If I can better understand who they are and who they’re trying to reach, then I can ultimately do my job — which is to help them articulate who they are and reach more people, sell their products, sell their services and grow their business,” he said. “It’s more of a branding thing that we do, but all of that lives through some sort of digital experience; that might be a website, obviously, it could be through a social channel, a digital marketing campaign, email campaigns, that kind of stuff.”
Foust was the first employee Gigantic hired, back in 2015.
“Throughout that time, Jay has managed the design, development and maintenance of nearly 100 websites for local, regional and national clients,” said Tom Culbertson, is a partner at Gigantic. “Jay’s ability to solve and articulate complicated web business problems has turned our upstart agency into a leading provider of web services in the greater Dubuque area.”
Foust appreciates being recognized as a Rising Star, but likens his job to participating in a team sport.
“To be individually honored is great, but I think it’s a group of people — the people I work with, people that I do community efforts with — that’s what the whole thing’s about,” he said. “I care a lot about what I do and the people I work with, and the clients and partners that we have at Gigantic and being a part of the arts community.”
He was instrumental in helping All Together organize its brand so artists can find venues and organizations and people can browse an artist directory. Foust is on the Arts Passion Team for Dubuque Forward and helps to promote First Fridays. In addition, he sets up displays and installs art at the Dubuque Area Arts Collective.
Notably, he is the creative mind behind Julien’s Flag.
“There’s a lot of forward moving progress in Dubuque. You can feel it. There’s just a lot of growth in the community through economic development, private sector — people in the community that are starting to lift it up by creating events and all that kind of stuff. I was trying to figure out how, as a designer, I could add my voice to that,” he said.
He delved into vexillology (the study of flags) to ensure his blueprint would be culturally and historically relevant.
“It’s not an official city flag,” Foust said. “It’s not sanctioned, but we’re calling it the unofficial, official flag. It’s a grassroots campaign. We’re trying to get people in the community to buy it and fly it.”
Foust continues to give back by mentoring at his alma mater, the University of Dubuque, offering guidance about the design and web development industry.
“A strategic and thoughtful leader, Jay not only leads his team of developers, but even more impressively, makes the process of scoping, designing and developing websites a pleasurable experience for clients,” Culbertson said. “He is always the first to raise his hand and lead others through complicated and challenging web problems with the patience of a seasoned professor.”
Foust has a 7-year-old daughter named Hazel and his girlfriend/partner Ivonne Simmonds Fals has a 12-year-old son, Theo.