What does it take to receive the Professional Services Excellence of the Year Award? Check out what Alan Jacobson, Principal of J2 Design, has to say as we highlight one of the excellent businesses that drives the Greater Philadelphia region. Join us to celebrate the 34th Annual Excellence Award winners on Thursday, November 17 »
J2 Design is a brand identity and design studio comprised of a team of designers, programmers and strategists who are working magic, digging deep and going for gold everyday. They’re passionate about evolving clients’ stories and delivering transformative design that creates immediate and lasting impact, by developing messaging, strategies, identity systems and websites that solve problems, push organizations forward and position them for success.
Alan Jacobson, Principal of J2 Design, has always invested time in studying why we do the things we do and what it is that attracts people to an organization. Realizing that the actions that organizations take to connect people to the things that are important to them are the same actions that will attract people to specific services, products and experiences, Jacobson wanted to design the strategies, brands and messages for organizations that make a difference in people’s lives
J2 Design is a partnership with Alan and Brian Jacobson, a father and son duo. Alan has worked for his design studio Ex;it Design Strategy for 14 years, designing experiences in the built environment and studying how people experience places. After years of working at various graphic design studios, his son Brian suggested that they would be a great creative team. And through J2 Design, they have been growing together ever since.
At J2 Design, the Jacobson’s truly care about the growth and future of the organizations that they design for and have the opportunity to participate, influence and inspire their business strategy. “Our ability to engage deep within our clients’ audiences and develop consensus and enthusiasm or the brand vision is vital to the success of their growth,” says Alan. This culminates in wonderful design solutions that differentiate their clients and inspires their staff, customers and stakeholders to personally identify with the organizations through the brand and messaging.
Regarding challenges that J2 Design faces, people not understanding the design world seems to be number one. “The design process is not familiar to many people, nor do many people understand the impact of strategic and high quality design,” says Alan. “Our secret is to embrace the differences in all of us and how we are all connected, to enjoy others creativity and learn from it by including them in the process.” It also helps that J2 has many clients that do important work for the community that make a difference in the lives of many.
The strategic location of Philadelphia allows for the success of J2 Design. “Our community is very accessible. We are all only a few degrees from anyone we want to meet,” explains Alan. “There is also a renewed enthusiasm and confidence about who we are and our next chapter as a Global city.” The Principal of J2 also credits the various levels of leaders throughout Philadelphia as a great resource. “I find that everyone is enthusiastic about helping others to succeed.”
The Professional Services Excellence Award winner of the year gave some advice for others looking to start a business in the Philadelphia area. “Get involved and volunteer with community work or non-profit organizations,” advises Alan. “It’s important for your personal growth, you will be offering your mind and soul to do good, and you will meet people that can introduce you to others.” He adds that attending various professional events is an endless opportunity to meet people.
Winning the Professional Services Excellence Award is a tangible moment that signifies J2 Design is making a difference. “We all seek significance in life,” says Alan. “[We] have the desire for others to appreciate the value we have worked so hard to bring to our community, clients, family and friends.”
Within the next two years, J2 plans to double the size of their business, but, as Alan puts it, “more importantly, [we will] have the opportunity to serve more organizations with big ideas that create opportunities and quality of life. It is our priority to continue to build a team of people that think about the important things in life and are energized to design the future.”
