ABOUT US
The Visual Republic is a full-service design company founded by creative director and illustrator, Alexis Ward (previously Goodman). A nomad at heart, Alexis grew up all over the globe before settling down in Music City and then, more recently, sunny San Diego. While she sometimes dreams of becoming a gypsy and joining the circus, she is equally passionate about adventure travel, improving her wakeboarding skills, fish tacos and wrangling photographers, designers and mind-readers together to tackle the design world.
While we are best known for our album designs in the music industry (we've designed about 300 albums and have had several Grammy and Dove award nominations by now), we also can't get enough of designing book covers and anything surf or adventure sport related. In fact, The Visual Republic designs a wide variety of print work including packaging, posters, marketing collateral, advertising, magazine spreads along with illustrations for everything from editorial pieces, marketing campaigns, fabric patterns, tshirts, CD covers and more.
When you have an idea you need to bring to life... or no idea at all... you need an art director. You can often find Alexis behind the scenes at photo shoots, combining her eye for details and a creative vision for the project as a whole. She has partnered with dozens of talented photographers to pull it all together and capture that perfect shot.
We love what we do and we love helping our clients reach their visual potential.
WELCOME TO THE VISUAL REPUBLIC.
While we are best known for our album designs in the music industry (we've designed about 300 albums and have had several Grammy and Dove award nominations by now), we also can't get enough of designing book covers and anything surf or adventure sport related. In fact, The Visual Republic designs a wide variety of print work including packaging, posters, marketing collateral, advertising, magazine spreads along with illustrations for everything from editorial pieces, marketing campaigns, fabric patterns, tshirts, CD covers and more.
When you have an idea you need to bring to life
We love what we do and we love helping our clients reach their visual potential
CLIENTS
Here are a few of the remarkable clients we've had the pleasure to work with.
TESTIMONIALS
"Alexis is the kind of art director, illustrator and designer that you wish you could always work with; amazingly talented, versatile and stress-free. She takes ideas, tangents, and scribbles and breathes life into them, perfectly creating the visual message that you want the world to see."
- Tim Frank, EMI Gospel
"Alexis is super creative and so easy to work with. Her versatility astounds me."
- Heather Wetherington, Lifeway
"I have had the pleasure of working with Alexis at The Visual Republic for 5+ years now. She has the refreshing ability to individualize each project for each unique artist. In addition to her incredible creative talent, she has demonstrated superior professionalism executing work on time and on budget."
- Blair Munday, Curb Records
"As the creative director of EMI CMG, I have worked with Alexis in the role of both designer and art director for several years. Alexis is a complete professional. She communicates well, collaborates with her clients and is timely in delivery of artwork. Alexis is extremely creative, and will always provide plenty of design options from which to choose. From a CD cover design for a rock band, to a female singer/songwriter, or even an original illustration for a children's project, she can adapt her skills to fit the varying needs of each project."
- Jan Cook, EMI Music
"Alexis is one of my go-to designers. She is an amazing illustrator and designer. That combination ensures you always get something unique. She's detailed and always meets our deadlines with a great attitude."
- Katherine Petillo, Warner Bros./Word Entertainment
"I get asked to write recommendation letters quite often....and writing one for Alexis Ward and The Visual Republic is one of the easiest I've ever had to write. Because I'm very willing to do it. And I can show you why Alexis is always my go to person for art work and design. Here are three examples of why I feel that way.
1. Peter Bradley Adams "Leavetaking" - Peter had a drawing and needed a cover. Alexis took the drawing on white paper and made it work. Her background makes the drawing and cover work.
2. Peter Bradley Adams "Traces" - Peter had a name for the album but no idea for artwork. Alexis gave us multiple artwork ideas and then refined this one. It's perfect.
3. Kat Maslich-Bode "The Road Of 6"- We had a rushed photo session and not much to work with. Alexis worked with the photograph and added the color in a way that makes the cover stand out.
Simply put - with a drawing, a photograph or no art or idea whatsoever Alexis Ward finds a way to design what works. It's never generic, it's never mundane, it's artistic and always unique. We get reaction. Alexis is my go-to person. Of course I'm supposed to recommend that she be yours as well. But I don't want to do that. Because then she'll get so busy she won't be able to be as inventive, creative and immediately responsive for my artists as she is now. So I'll make you a deal. When you call Alexis tell her that it's okay for her to do my projects before she does yours. I think that's a fair deal for a recommendation this good."
- Marc Ratner
"Alexis' level of professionalism and the quality of her designs are top notch. As an independent artist I felt like I was treated no differently than a major label client. Alexis' attention to detail, coupled with her true love for art and design, shines through everything she does. And the results of my album artwork are proof of that! I look forward to working with Alexis and The Visual Republic many more times in the future."
- Natalie Creel, musician
"Alexis is super creative and so easy to work with. Her versatility astounds me."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Alexis at The Visual Republic for 5+ years now. She has the refreshing ability to individualize each project for each unique artist. In addition to her incredible creative talent, she has demonstrated superior professionalism executing work on time and on budget."
"As the creative director of EMI CMG, I have worked with Alexis in the role of both designer and art director for several years. Alexis is a complete professional. She communicates well, collaborates with her clients and is timely in delivery of artwork. Alexis is extremely creative, and will always provide plenty of design options from which to choose. From a CD cover design for a rock band, to a female singer/songwriter, or even an original illustration for a children's project, she can adapt her skills to fit the varying needs of each project."
"Alexis is one of my go-to designers. She is an amazing illustrator and designer. That combination ensures you always get something unique. She's detailed and always meets our deadlines with a great attitude."
"I get asked to write recommendation letters quite often....and writing one for Alexis Ward and The Visual Republic is one of the easiest I've ever had to write. Because I'm very willing to do it. And I can show you why Alexis is always my go to person for art work and design. Here are three examples of why I feel that way.
1. Peter Bradley Adams "Leavetaking" - Peter had a drawing and needed a cover. Alexis took the drawing on white paper and made it work. Her background makes the drawing and cover work.
2. Peter Bradley Adams "Traces" - Peter had a name for the album but no idea for artwork. Alexis gave us multiple artwork ideas and then refined this one. It's perfect.
3. Kat Maslich-Bode "The Road Of 6"- We had a rushed photo session and not much to work with. Alexis worked with the photograph and added the color in a way that makes the cover stand out.
Simply put - with a drawing, a photograph or no art or idea whatsoever Alexis Ward finds a way to design what works. It's never generic, it's never mundane, it's artistic and always unique. We get reaction. Alexis is my go-to person. Of course I'm supposed to recommend that she be yours as well. But I don't want to do that. Because then she'll get so busy she won't be able to be as inventive, creative and immediately responsive for my artists as she is now. So I'll make you a deal. When you call Alexis tell her that it's okay for her to do my projects before she does yours. I think that's a fair deal for a recommendation this good."
"Alexis' level of professionalism and the quality of her designs are top notch. As an independent artist I felt like I was treated no differently than a major label client. Alexis' attention to detail, coupled with her true love for art and design, shines through everything she does. And the results of my album artwork are proof of that! I look forward to working with Alexis and The Visual Republic many more times in the future."