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Jules Cowan

Art Director and Designer

Professional Background

Jules Cowan is a distinguished creative strategist and designer with a passion for progressive movements and social justice. As the Founder and Principal Designer at Movement Building Design, Jules has cultivated an impressive portfolio, directing creative strategies that resonate deeply with grassroots political candidates and progressive initiatives. Her extensive experience in design has significantly contributed to causes such as the Green New Deal, racial justice, sanctuary cities, and various human rights campaigns.

Throughout her career, Jules has served in various pivotal roles, including as a UX Design Consultant at National Domestic Workers Alliance and as Design Director at Sunrise Movement. In each of these positions, she has focused on creating impactful visual communications that drive awareness and rally support for critical social issues. Her work in designing campaigns for oil pipeline blockades, tenant protections, and Puerto Rican independence exemplifies her commitment to leveraging design for meaningful change.

Jules's diverse experiences extend into the realm of education and training, where she provides individualized training in UX and graphic design, website optimization, creative production workflows, and brand identity development. She has also played a key role in enhancing the visual communication strategies of organizations such as Amnesty International USA and Jewish Voice for Peace, showcasing her extensive skill set and adaptability in various design environments.

Education and Achievements

Jules holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Graphic Design from Hampshire College, where she honed her creative skills and developed a strong foundation in visual communication. In addition to her degree, she has furthered her knowledge by studying Progressive Messaging in A Crisis at Movement School. This combination of formal education and specialized training allows Jules to approach design challenges with a progressive lens, ensuring her work fosters support for vital social issues.

Her role as a former Visual Communications Trainer at Social Movement Technologies highlights her dedication to empowering others through education and shared knowledge in the field of design. Moreover, her tenure as Communications Manager at Prison Radio signifies her commitment to using design as a tool for advocacy, focusing on enhancing the narratives around incarcerated journalists and contributing to the broader dialogue on criminal justice reform.

Notable Contributions

Jules Cowan’s commitment to social change is evident in her extensive portfolio of work. She has been at the forefront of numerous campaigns, using her skills to elevate the brands and messages of causes advocating for LGBTQI equality, ending gender-based violence, and preserving Palestinian human rights. Each initiative reflects her artistic vision and technical expertise, allowing her to create designs that effectively communicate urgency and inspire action.

As a passionate soccer player for the Left Wing Fútbol Club, Jules believes in the powerful connection between creativity, community, and physical activity. This holistic approach to her personal and professional life is reflected in her routine of meditating and printing political posters, bringing together her interests in advocacy and creative expression in a unique way. By intertwining her love for sports, mindfulness, and design, Jules embodies the spirit of progressive activism—a multifaceted commitment to collaboration and empowerment.

In her freelance design work, including collaborations with organizations such as Design Action Collective and Sanctuary Streets, Jules has managed to balance her artistic endeavors while advocating for political and social initiatives. Her multifaceted roles and contributions underscore her status as a dynamic force within the realm of social justice and progressive design, inspiring others to consider the impact of their own creative endeavors on community building and empowerment.

Achievements

  • Founder and Principal Designer at Movement Building Design

  • Extensive experience in supporting grassroots political candidates and progressive campaigns

  • Design Director at Sunrise Movement, advocating for climate justice

  • Former UX Design Consultant for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, providing crucial design support for worker rights

  • Key contributor to campaigns for racial justice, LGBTQI rights, and more

  • Commitment to empowering individuals through training in UX, graphic design, and branding strategies.

Related Questions

How did Jules Cowan develop her unique approach to creative strategy that blends design with social activism?
What inspired Jules Cowan to focus her design efforts on grassroots political movements and social justice initiatives?
In what ways does Jules Cowan integrate sports, such as soccer with Left Wing Fútbol Club, into her creative process?
How does Jules Cowan's educational background at Hampshire College influence her design philosophy today?
What challenges has Jules Cowan encountered in her career as a design consultant for progressive organizations, and how has she overcome them?
Jules Cowan
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Location

Brooklyn, New York, United States