About — Qa'id Jacobs - Designer & Creative Director

Wonderfully complicated…

I’m Qa’id (pronounced “kī - ēd”).
I’m an entrepreneur, product designer, DJ, and a hooper. Constantly tinkering; always pondering. Can go on and on about Cosmology and Astrophysics. My safe-space is in front of a barbecue grill wearing an apron, ready to do work.
I’ve spent equal parts of my life in New Jersey and New York. For the past few years I have been experimenting with living in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

My path.

MUSIC, MY FIRST LOVE. My first career after university was in New York’s music industry scene where I did marketing at major record labels like BMG/Sony and the Universal Music Group. During that time I co-founded a production company with my friend, Aaron, DJ’d all over the city, and managed a recording studio.

GRAPHICALLY DESIGNING A NEW LIFE. In 2001, after the NYC music industry slowed significantly in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks, I focused on building a freelance graphic design practice. I designed flyers, posters, identity systems, and websites (which I also built and shipped for clients).

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT COMMUNITY. My leadership and design work in community organizing lead to a media management role at the Center for Constitutional Rights where I helped the organization spread the word and encourage action around the legal rights of oppressed and marginalized people.