Julia Kowalski

I've been telling stories my whole life. 

I was born and raised in Washington but I spent my summers in my family's remote cabin in Southeast Alaska. Our cabin was on an island with no roads and could only be reached by boat. We had no TV. My older brother and primary (only) playmate would work on my dad's fishing boat during the day and this as sole proprietor of my entertainment.  I would spend hours alone outside, in the woods, on the beaches. I had a powerful imagination, which I would employ in building rich and elaborate stories starring my cadre of Beanie Babies. These stories sustained me. I believe this uncommon upbringing and the necessity of narrative is in part why I am where I am now.  

My familial roots in the industry led me to start fish commercially when I was 18.  From 2008 to 2016 I went north to fish with the SE Alaska purse seine fleet. These were some of the most important years of my young adult life and some of the most creatively productive. I reveled in the opportunity for candid portraits of the experience: the characters, the Alaskan backdrop, the tension and beauty of fishing. I produced BOAT LAND my last year fishing, work that I am still proud of today.   

This period of my life was crucial to shaping my work ethic, my attitude, and my resilience. A 48-foot commercial fishing boat is a perfect lab for learning how to be a mindful colleague, how to move and act intentionally, be an agile problem solver, and how to preform optimally in high stress situations. 

I decided to become a designer to deepen and hone my craft for meaningful communication. My driving force has always been to make a poignant connection with my audience, to tell stories that come to life and stay with people. I strive to create work that is bold, intentional, and expressive.

My guiding principle is that creative work is powerful. On an individual level, all the way up to a societal level, thoughtful, good work made with heart and intention can have profound impacts. I went back to school for graphic design because I recognized that owning that skillset could allow me to produce work for the cause I’m most passionate about: the conservation of the land and waters that I grew up in.

I quit fishing commercially because I knew I wanted to develop my professional career and I felt I was destined for more meaningful and engaging work. What made the decision easier however, was the fact that starting in 2015 the salmon fishery entered a period of steep decline. In 2016, the State of Alaska declared the salmon run a state-wide failure due to “sudden and unexpected large decreases in fish stock biomass due to unusual ocean and climate conditions.” 

This is not the end of way of life I know and love. I do believe it is a pivot point and a call to action: it’s time to change gears and get to work telling stories. If successful movements are carried on the backs of thoughtful messaging and emotional resonance, I think I made the right decision.