Meet the 2018 Judges

Our 2018 Ideas that Matter judges know good design—it’s what helped get them to where they are today. Now, this independent panel of accomplished design industry leaders is up for the difficult task of choosing this year’s winners based on potential effectiveness, plan for implementation and, of course, creativity. Read on to meet the panel and learn more about their achievements.

Jacinda Walker
Founder and Creative Director, designExplorr

Jacinda Walker is the Founder and Creative Director of designExplorr, an organization that celebrates design learning by creating opportunities that expose youth to design. She also serves as chair of AIGA’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. Jacinda has over 20 years of industry experience and her work ranges from designing corporate communications to developing educational programs and event management. Read full bio

Jacinda Walker
Founder and Creative Director, designExplorr

Jacinda Walker is the Founder and Creative Director of designExplorr, an organization that celebrates design learning by creating opportunities that expose youth to design. She also serves as chair of AIGA’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. Jacinda has over 20 years of industry experience and her work ranges from designing corporate communications to developing educational programs and event management. Read full bio

Julia Zeltser
Founding Partner and Creative Director, Hyperakt

Julia Zeltser is a Founding Partner and Creative Director at Hyperakt. Her keen eye has been critical in establishing Hyperakt’s visual voice, resulting in brilliant designs for clients such as UNICEF, Ford Foundation, and Malala Fund. Graduating from Parson’s The New School of Design, Julia has received design accolades from organizations such as Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Brand New, and How Magazine. Julia is also currently active on the board of AIGA New York. Read full bio

Julia Zeltser
Founding Partner and Creative Director, Hyperakt

Julia Zeltser is a Founding Partner and Creative Director at Hyperakt. Her keen eye has been critical in establishing Hyperakt’s visual voice, resulting in brilliant designs for clients such as UNICEF, Ford Foundation, and Malala Fund. Graduating from Parson’s The New School of Design, Julia has received design accolades from organizations such as Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Brand New, and How Magazine. Julia is also currently active on the board of AIGA New York. Read full bio

Justin Ahrens
Principal and Creative Director, Rule29

Justin Ahrens is the Principal and Creative Director of Rule29. Rule29 has been recognized by major competitions and publications, including AIGA, Communication Arts, Graphis, HOW, Print, The Webby Awards, and many more. Ahrens is a consistent voice in the design and business community. He has spoken about Design for Good and work/life balance at several major design conferences, as well as in his book, Life Kerning: Creative Ways to Fine Tune Your Perspective on Career and LifeRead full bio

Justin Ahrens
Principal and Creative Director, Rule29

Justin Ahrens is the Principal and Creative Director of Rule29. Rule29 has been recognized by major competitions and publications, including AIGA, Communication Arts, Graphis, HOW, Print, The Webby Awards, and many more. Ahrens is a consistent voice in the design and business community. He has spoken about Design for Good and work/life balance at several major design conferences, as well as in his book, Life Kerning: Creative Ways to Fine Tune Your Perspective on Career and LifeRead full bio

Maurice Woods
Senior Experience Designer, Microsoft and Founder and Executive Director, Inneract Project

Maurice Woods is the Founder and Executive Director of Inneract Project, a non-profit organization that empowers underrepresented students through design education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. For this work, Maurice was awarded a Sappi Ideas that Matter grant in 2009. He has served as co-chair of education for the AIGA San Francisco and nationally as a board advisor for the Diversity Archive Collection Exhibition. Maurice currently works as a Senior Designer at Microsoft. Read full bio

Maurice Woods
Senior Experience Designer, Microsoft and Founder and Executive Director, Inneract Project

Maurice Woods is the Founder and Executive Director of Inneract Project, a non-profit organization that empowers underrepresented students through design education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. For this work, Maurice was awarded a Sappi Ideas that Matter grant in 2009. He has served as co-chair of education for the AIGA San Francisco and nationally as a board advisor for the Diversity Archive Collection Exhibition. Maurice currently works as a Senior Designer at Microsoft. Read full bio

Terry Marks
Principal, tmarks

Terry Marks is Principal of tmarks, a creative firm in Seattle. His work has been recognized by Print Magazine, Communication Arts, Critique Magazine, HOW Magazine and more. He currently serves on the AIGA National Board and is on the Seattle AIGA Link Leadership Team. Terry has spoken for many organizations including the HOW Design Conference, and numerous universities and colleges. He has judged regional and national design competitions as co-creator of Design Family Reunion, a bi-annual conclave of creatives. Read full bio

Terry Marks
Principal, tmarks

Terry Marks is Principal of tmarks, a creative firm in Seattle. His work has been recognized by Print Magazine, Communication Arts, Critique Magazine, HOW Magazine and more. He currently serves on the AIGA National Board and is on the Seattle AIGA Link Leadership Team. Terry has spoken for many organizations including the HOW Design Conference, and numerous universities and colleges. He has judged regional and national design competitions as co-creator of Design Family Reunion, a bi-annual conclave of creatives. Read full bio