JOSHUA A. HAYES
Illustrator & Brand Designer
Brewing visuals people see, feel, & remember: Books • Editorial • Brands
ABOUT ME
I’m a witty, tea-drinkin’, analytical & strategically risk-taking creative, motivated by curiosity & powered by creativity. Born, raised & based in Miami-Dade County, Florida, my work sits at the intersection of illustration, design & strategy.
With nearly two decades of creative practice, I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to conceptual illustration, brand design & visual communication, supported by formal training in illustration, visual arts, marketing & process improvement.
I approach creativity like a well-brewed cup of tea: with patience, precision & the right blend of elements. Whether I’m illustrating a psychological idea, designing a beverage brand, or teaching the next generation of creatives, I’m usually trying to do the same thing: find the missing piece, make it visible & create a connection.
- Illustration — 20+ Years
- Brand Design — 15+ Years
- Integrated Brand Marketing Comm — 10 Years
- Teaching Visual Design & Marketing — 8+ Years
6 Things About Me
- I value curiosity, creativity, & communication.
- A September Virgo (Moon: Aries | Asc: Taurus).
- Loves a quality cup of tea to fuel my creative process.
- Lives for yummy food & drinks, they inspire great ideas.
- UV light is my nemesis, so I wear sunglasses day & night.
- Loves a good Villain, They’re often the most creative & stress-free.
EDUCATION
- M.F.A. Illustration
Savannah College of Art and Design
Conceptual • Editorial • Advertising
- M.S. Marketing
Florida International University
Branding • Digital • Analytics
B.F.A. Visual Arts
Miami International University of Art & Design
Visual Design • Advertising
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Process Improvement • DMAIC
MOTIVATION & INSPORATION
Inspiration lives everywhere: consciousness, identity, human anatomy, mythology, culture, science & history. My work is a direct output of curiosity & a commitment to sharing knowledge through creativity.
Every project starts with a question. I follow that curiosity until I find the insight worth building around, translate it into a concept & shape it into something capable of creating connection.
Curiosity finds the insight, concept gives it form, & connection makes it matter.
THE ILLUSTRATOR
My illustration practice centers on conceptual storytelling—using visual metaphor, symbolism & psychological narrative to make complex ideas visible.
I work across book publishing & editorial illustration, with particular interests in psychology, identity, science, health, education & the human experience.
Visually, my work blends realism with surreal transformation through charcoal, ink & digital media. Monochrome palettes, strong contrast, textured shading & precise linework create imagery designed to reward a second look.
Whether interpreting the psychology of a story or translating scientific ideas for an editorial audience, the goal remains the same: make people see something, then make them feel something.
THE DESIGNER
My design practice combines modern minimalism, conceptual storytelling & strategic thinking to build identities that work as beautifully as they communicate.
Today, my focus is brand identity & packaging for tea, spirits, coffee & ritual-driven beverage brands — categories where sensory experience, storytelling & visual identity naturally intersect.
My broader experience spans healthcare, education, real estate, finance, government, transportation, regulated products & food and beverage, giving me a deep understanding of how identity systems need to perform across very different audiences and environments.
THE STRATEGIST
Strategy isn’t a separate layer added after the creative work. It’s part of how I think.
My background in marketing shapes how I approach audience, positioning, communication & execution. It helps me look beyond whether something simply looks good to ask a more useful question:
What does this need to communicate, to whom, & why should they care?
THE EDUCATOR
My teaching philosophy centers on three principles: Curiosity, Creativity & Communication.
I create practical, student-driven learning experiences that encourage curiosity, experimentation & open dialogue. By connecting ideas to real-world application, I help students think deeper, create with intention & communicate their unique creative voice with confidence.
CURRENT ENDEAVORS
- I have my freelance creative practice.
- I operate Infusion Labs, my craft ritual brand studio.
- Adjunct Professor of Marketing & Graphic Arts at Miami Dade College.
- Adjunct Professor of Visual Arts at Broward College.
Have Something Worth Making Memorable?
Books. Editorial. Brands. Let’s brew something people see, feel, & remember.
FAQ's
What does Joshua A. Hayes do?
Joshua A. Hayes is a Miami-based illustrator, brand designer, brand strategist, & educator. He specializes in conceptual & editorial illustration, brand identity & visual systems, & integrated brand marketing communication strategy.
Who does Joshua A. Hayes work with?
Joshua works with Art Directors, Brand Founders, Publishers, & Creative Directors who need creative work built on strategic foundation across freelance & corporate engagements.
Where is Joshua A. Hayes located?
Joshua A. Hayes is based in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He serves clients locally in Miami & internationally.
What makes Joshua A. Hayes different from other creatives?
Joshua A. Hayes is an illustrator, brand designer & marketing strategist with the credentials & nearly two decades of applied experience to back each one without diluting the others.
Joshua closes the gap between creative potential & strategic execution because he operates across all three disciplines (conceptual illustration, brand identity, & integrated brand marketing communication) with the analytical rigor of a Six Sigma Green Belt & the creative depth of an Master of Fine Arts in Illustration & Master of Science in Marketing. Joshua produces work that’s visually compelling & strategically executed from concept to delivery.
Where can I find Joshua A. Hayes' work?
- Find Joshua A. Hayes’ latest work posted on his Instagram
- Check out Joshua A. Hayes’ illustration work on his Artstation
- Check out Joshua A. Hayes’ design work on his Behance