in memoriam, Justin Kemerling

It is with great sadness that we share the tragic news of the passing of our dear friend Justin Kemerling; September 6, 1979 – July 26, 2024. Since 2007, Justin has been a collaborator, advisor, critic, client, close friend. Beginning with the graphics and collateral design for the 2008 exhibition “Art Farm @ Sheldon”, Justin has worked with Actual Architecture and FACT on numerous projects from the early Sheldon show, to the brand identities and for Actual Architecture Co. and FACT, the websites www.actual.ac and www.factlab.org, and the Actual FACT Book series. He lent his Midwestern pragmatism and progressive international vision to our own intertwined practices which would not be the same without his creative and critical input.

Justin and his wife Katie were also clients of Actual Architecture, inspiring one of our most cherished and sophisticated interior design projects.

Justin has design campaigns and identities for a wide range of nonprofits, activist organizations, and creative brands, such as ours. We had the great pleasure to work with Justin on projects with institutions and organizations we are part of. He was a founding board member of Design Alliance Omaha and designer of the nonprofit’s website and graphic identity, as well as a collaborator on many daOMA events.

Working with Jeffrey L. Day and within the tight constraints of an institutional template, Justin designed the University of Nebraska, College of Architecture college website. He also designed a comprehensive new brand identity for the college including logos, recruiting and lecture posters, and guidelines for future posters, college publications, and special design-research books. His “d.oNE” logo for the college’s new (as of 2012) common first year program is a work of genius. Justin’s significant and deep record of design work through JKDC can be seen here on his professional website.

An announcement from his collaborators at Round And Round talks broadly about Justin’s talent, work, commitment to social and political activism, and of course to his beloved family and friends. “Justin touched the lives of many with his generosity and sense of equality for all he met; his ability to inspire will be remembered and cherished.”

Contributions may be made to the Justin Kemerling Memorial Fund to honor his memory and to support causes close to his heart, as well as provide much-needed support for his family during this difficult time.