About Me

My name is Justine. 👋 I'm dedicated to crafting meaningful and intentional digital experiences that let you and your brand shine authentically.

With over a decade of experience spanning marketing, communications, and project/product management across various industries, I've nurtured a robust foundation for my design work. My approach is rooted in a meticulous balance of intuition, empathy, and analytics.

For those who appreciate the specifics, I hold a BA in Communications and certifications in UX Design and Product Management.

In my spare time, you’ll find me at the ocean or with the trees, cycling, practicing tai chi or meditating, with my sketchbooks, playing the piano, reading or hanging out with my loving partner and friends.

Here are some reasons why we might work together

You want to:

✦ find an experienced digital designer with a multidisciplinary approach

✦ work with someone who is calm, caring and mindful.

✦ collaborate with someone who shares your mission of making the world a better place for all to thrive.

You are:

✦ Levelling up your brand or starting from scratch.

✦ Dreaming of a website that reflects who you are and makes sense to your audience.

✦ Wondering how to communicate effectively with your audience.

✦ Needing graphics and templates for your marketing campaigns, social media platforms and newsletters.

✦ Needing wireframes, prototypes or help with your design system(s).

My Offerings

Website, UX and UI design

Marketing and Content design

Wireframing & Prototyping

Brand systems and design

Design systems

Creative direction

Consultancy

Communications (Messaging)

Writing

Who I’ve Worked With

I have collaborated with tech companies, boutique brands, and small businesses in various industries such as live music and events, tourism, hospitality, career building, and more.

BC Pensions

Cowichan Tribes

We Work Remotely

Instant Domains

Designer News

Freshgigs.ca

Unicornhunt.io

The Truffles Group

Cascadia Liquor

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Truffles Catering

Sequoia Coffee

Canoe Brewpub (RIP)

Atomique Productions (RIP)

Rifflandia Festival

The Phillips Backyard Weekender

Rock the Shores

Amelia Artists

& more

My Story

After moonlighting in design for over 13 years, 2023 marked a pivotal turning point when I embraced full-time freelancing.

Following a 10-year career in marketing, project management and communications in work environments that eventually felt out of sync, I found myself on the verge of burnout for the second time in my life. Determined not to go down that path again, I knew it was time for a change.

In 2022, I decided to leave my job in the tech industry. With the unwavering support of my partner, friends, mentor, and counsellor, I deliberately entered a metaphorical underworld journey of sorts.

Though it was daunting, my previous encounter with burnout had taught me that on the other side of systems crumbling, was creative potential.

To cope, I immersed myself in the activities that nourished my soul the most: creating art, communing with nature, and exploring the world. Yes, I'm one of those cliche stories; a trip (to Malta in this case) became the catalyst for a life-altering transformation.

In Mandarin, the last character of my name, 菡 (pronounced hàn) translates to “lotus blossom.” Much like the lotus' life cycle, this recent journey into the depths (the metaphorical mud) allowed me to find the courage to let go of what no longer resonated.

The decision to finally embrace my creativity at its full capacity and stop hiding under the guise of analytical-dominant roles was a vital step in my journey toward personal and professional growth.

Going full-time freelancing was imperative for many reasons, including the necessity to blossom.

Today, communications and marketing remain integral to my design process, and I'm committed to harnessing my creative skills and abilities to collaborate with kindred spirits who also lead their lives with passion, kindness and purpose.

And let me tell you, it’s made a world of difference.

My heart truly lies in collaborating with individuals and organizations committed to making the world a better place for all to thrive. If you share this mission, I'm eager to connect with you!

“We tend to think of the artist’s work as the output. The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.”

-Rick Rubin

Client Love ♥

  • “Justine is not only an experienced digital designer, she is also a healer.  When my husband and I engaged her services for a rebrand at the 10th anniversary of our small family business in Durham, NC we never dreamed the process would be so validating.  In this world, truly being seen is a gift.  We often emerged from meetings with her feeling that not only we, but our company, had been through an affirming and healing counselling session.  

    It was as if we had hired not only an adept digital designer, but also a healer, a psychologist, a cultural edge setter, an artist, a writer, and, above all, an ally.”

    – Jennifer Socey, Grateful Trees and Bees

  • "I've been fortunate enough to work with Justine for a number of years; she's a wonderful person and a true professional - not only in the quality of her work but the way she conducts herself, manages projects and is constantly learning and improving. I'd love to work with Justine again and would recommend her to anyone looking for thoughtful, high-quality design work.”

    — Matt H, Founder CEO, Align

  • “Justine is one of those unicorns who can build strong relationships with people, while also building incredible digital products. She has a keen eye for design and can produce beautiful things quickly and collaboratively - which is not an easy task. Justine is a people and thought leader, who would be a stellar addition to any company. I would recommend her again and again.”

    — Erin Richards, Manager of Writing & Content Strategy, BC Government

  • “Any company would be lucky to have Justine. She goes above and beyond in her work, taking pride in everything that she does. She’s always looking to improve things and she cares deeply about her fellow employees. This shows in how she approaches teamwork.”

    — Asim, People Ops Lead, sherpaº

  • “I want to recommend Justine Shu as designer, project manager, and collaborator. She is thoughtful and clear in her communication. Her response to feedback is exactly what you would hope for - receptive, responsive and creative. Justine consistently amazed me by creating material that was so much more than I had imagined was possible. She has an artist's eye and incredible technical skill. I loved working with Justine, and would happily do so again.”

    — Sage Goode

  • “The business is going really really well and clients like the graphic design. I have enjoyed the professionalism Justine’s graphic design has brought to my company.”

    — Byron Rotgans, Founder, Munro Engineering