Josh Hakman: A Creative Visionary in the Making

Josh Hakman is a passionate and dedicated graphic design student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. With a lifelong love for visual storytelling and creative expression, he has cultivated a diverse skill set spanning design, photography, video production, video editing, and music creation.

Early Life and Education

My journey in the arts began early. Always drawn to creativity, I consistently found ways to infuse artistic elements into my school assignments, blending form and function in unique and compelling ways.

My education in the arts began at San Domenico School in San Anselmo, where I first explored my artistic potential, joining the film program and learning the basics of visual storytelling. Here, I found ways to bend assignment rules to creatively express myself, culminating in a self-produced, original music video.

I then expanded my creative horizons at The Oxbow School of Art and Academics in Napa, a program renowned for its immersive, interdisciplinary approach to art education. Here, I deepened his understanding of visual storytelling and refined his skills in various artistic media such as painting, sculpture, and digital media.

I later attended Marin Academy in San Rafael, where I continued to develop my artistic voice while engaging in a rigorous academic curriculum. I worked as the social media manager for the school newspaper, The MA 1600, where I produced professional and engaging graphics to advertise new stories to the school.

Higher Education and Design Passion

I am now a graphic design student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, fully immersed in the world of visual storytelling. Through hands-on projects and collaborative experiences, I sharpen my ability to communicate visually, blending typography, imagery, and multimedia elements to craft compelling narratives. My work reflects a deep appreciation for aesthetics and functionality, embodying both creativity and purpose.

Artistic and Creative Pursuits

Beyond traditional graphic design, my talents extend into photography, video production, and music creation. My keen eye for composition and storytelling allows me to produce visually striking images and dynamic video content.

As a video editor, I skillfully weave together imagery and sound, creating immersive experiences that captivate audiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my video editing skills, creative eye, and passion for the craft helped me grow a YouTube channel to over 1,000 subscribers. At Cal Poly, fraternities and sororities commission my editing skills to produce advertisement videos for their organization.

My passion for music production further enriches my creative work, adding another layer of depth to my multimedia projects. Skilled at the guitar and bass, my music production skills extend into professional-grade music programs such as Apple’s Logic Pro X.

A Future in Creativity

With a strong foundation in design and an ever-growing portfolio of creative work, Josh Hakman is poised to make a lasting impact in the world of visual communication. Whether through branding, digital media, or multimedia storytelling, he continues to push boundaries and explore new ways to engage audiences.

As he moves forward in his career, Josh remains committed to innovation, artistic exploration, and storytelling, ensuring that his work not only captivates but also inspires.