We’ve been talking about some big news for a while now, and today we’re excited to announce that 903 is growing.

Meet Jenn Buch, our new designer!

Jenn arrived in Richmond last year from Austin, TX where she was a designer for Callaway Golf. I met Jenn while attending AIGA Austin’s Design Ranch and was thrilled when she decided to make the move to RVA. She jumped in to help us tackle a heavy workload in November and December and we soon realized that we had to have her as part of the team full-time.

Hopefully, this is just the first of many major announcements and ongoing growth (ongrowing?) in 2016. While we’re optimistic that more big things are around the corner, for now we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jenn join the 903 team. Take a moment to read more and get to know her!

How did you arrive at graphic design?
Officially, I’d say I got into graphic design when I switched my major to Art during my sophomore year of college.  But I suppose I’ve always been a designer. In elementary school, my idea of a good time was laying out pages in Microsoft Publisher and manipulating photos I took with a little digital camera. Not much has changed!

How would you describe your style?
Clean, (hopefully) smart, and colorful. Design is all about communication, and I strive to find simple, effective, and playful solutions.

What do you consider essential to your creative process?
A sketchbook, fresh air, and time to mull it over. Sometimes the best ideas come around when you walk away for a minute.

You just moved to Richmond from Austin, TX a few months ago. How has the transition been?
The transition has been incredible, and it was absolutely the right move for me. I picked Richmond to be near my sister (and new niece!) in Charlottesville, but still have the artsy culture that I grew accustomed to in Austin. I’m originally from West Virginia, so moving here feels both like coming home and starting a new adventure; it’s quite the sweet spot!

What’s your favorite thing about Richmond so far?
I’m living in the museum district and I love being able to walk everywhere! I basically have a one mile radius that I know so far, but that one mile includes some restaurants, bars, grocery stores, a post office, a gym, a few parks, and an art museum—what else could I need?

What’s your ideal way to pass the time when you’re not designing?
I love spending time outdoors—hiking, camping, kayaking, etc—and always feel a little guilty if I spend a beautiful day indoors. I also love painting, drawing, and really anything art related. I try to stick to a few “studio hours” a week, where I can experiment, throw paint around, and generally just get away from the computer screen. Lately, I’ve helped paint a few murals with a non-profit called Arts in the Alley, and it’s really the best of both worlds. Paint and fresh air? Sign me up.

You’re our first ever full-time 903 employee. Crazy, huh?
It is! I’m thrilled to jump on board. We’re going to do some great work and have a blast along the way.