Information

Profile

Justin LaBaw-Rivers
multi-disciplinary designer

jlabaw@gmail.com
@jlabaw

jlabaw@gmail.com
@jlabaw

jlabaw@gmail.com
@jlabaw

Justin has been designing digital products and experiences for the past decade for some of the industry’s top brands such as Apple, Axe Hair, Beats by Dre, Google, T-Mobile, and Walmart. After reaching a pinnacle in his career in 2013, Justin left the agency life and went back to his startup roots by creating the creative studio, Original Thought. Why?

“I wanted to build a studio which helps early stage startup companies and small agencies with creative, branding and concept development. Over the course of my time in the startup industry I’ve seen so many great ideas fall short because of poor design execution. Original Thought is here to make sure less of those happen”

From 2013-2020, Original Thought partnered and helped over 12 startups raise $26.4M through early stage concept & creative development.

Justin currently serves as a design director & sr. product designer for startup companies looking to thrive. On Saturday mornings you can find Justin taking up meditation on the beach, running, and then actively looking for the best plate of biscuits & gravy in town.

Justin has been designing digital products and experiences for the past decade for some of the industry’s top brands such as Apple, Axe Hair, Beats by Dre, Google, T-Mobile, and Walmart. After reaching a pinnacle in his career in 2013, Justin left the agency life and went back to his startup roots by creating the creative studio, Original Thought. Why?

“I wanted to build a studio which helps early stage startup companies and small agencies with creative, branding and concept development. Over the course of my time in the startup industry I’ve seen so many great ideas fall short because of poor design execution. Original Thought is here to make sure less of those happen”

From 2013-2020, Original Thought partnered and helped over 12 startups raise $26.4M through early stage concept & creative development.

Justin currently serves as a design director & sr. product designer for startup companies looking to thrive. On Saturday mornings you can find Justin taking up meditation on the beach, running, and then actively looking for the best plate of biscuits & gravy in town

Justin has been designing digital products and experiences for the past decade for some of the industry’s top brands such as Apple, Axe Hair, Beats by Dre, Google, T-Mobile, and Walmart. After reaching a pinnacle in his career in 2013, Justin left the agency life and went back to his startup roots by creating the creative studio, Original Thought. Why?

“I wanted to build a studio which helps early stage startup companies and small agencies with creative, branding and concept development. Over the course of my time in the startup industry I’ve seen so many great ideas fall short because of poor design execution. Original Thought is here to make sure less of those happen”

From 2013-2020, Original Thought partnered and helped over 12 startups raise $26.4M through early stage concept & creative development.

Justin currently serves as a design director & sr. product designer for startup companies looking to thrive. On Saturday mornings you can find Justin taking up meditation on the beach, running, and then actively looking for the best plate of biscuits & gravy in town.

2019 — Present                                         2016 — 2018                                         
Design Partner                                           Sr. UX Lead (Contract)
Hypothesis VC                                           Google 

2018 — Present                                         2015 — 2016  
Independent Design Director                     Sr. Product Designer
Startups & Studios                                     TBWA \ MAL

2019 — Present                                         2016 — 2018                                         
Design Partner                                           Sr. UX Lead (Contract)
Hypothesis VC                                           Google 

2018 — Present                                         2015 — 2016  
Independent Design Director                     Sr. Product Designer
Startups & Studios                                     TBWA \ MAL

Most Recent Journey

2019 — Present
Design Partner
Hypothesis VC

2018 — Present
Independent Design Lead
Startups & Studios

2017 — 2018
Sr. UX Lead (Contract)
Google 

2016 — 2017
Sr. Product Designer
TBWA\MAL 

Client Experience

Client Experience

Client Experience

AHEAD, Air & Style,
Apple Music, AT&T, Biostrap, Dosist, Google, Heartbeat Health,
Jukin Media, NTWRK, Pluto TV, Vurbl | web3 Audio Listening

AHEAD, Air & Style,
Apple Music, AT&T, Biostrap, Dosist, Google, Heartbeat Health,
Jukin Media, NTWRK, Pluto TV, Vurbl

AHEAD, Air & Style,
Apple Music, AT&T, Biostrap, Dosist, Google, Heartbeat Health, Jukin Media, NTWRK, Pluto TV, Vurbl | Web3 Audio Listening Platform