Justin Robert Lees

Personal Pronouns

He/Him/His

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

Today, I work at Airbnb as a Social Lead supporting CEO and Corporate Communications. My role is to help tell stories about Airbnb, its leadership, and its global community through social media, communications, and content strategy.

Prior to Airbnb, I spent over a decade at Apple, where I began my career in retail before transitioning into producer and creative storytelling roles focused on content production, cinematography, and emerging technologies including Apple Vision Pro and spatial computing. Before joining Apple's marketing and engineering teams, I also worked as a commercial advertising editor, producing campaigns for national brands and agencies across television, social media, and digital platforms. Working across advertising, technology, and communications taught me that strong storytelling principles remain the same regardless of the medium.

The common thread throughout my career has been storytelling. Whether I am editing a commercial campaign, helping explain a new technology, producing a film, or supporting executive communications, I am interested in finding authentic human stories and creating content that connects with people. The challenge for me is balancing creativity with technical problem solving while collaborating with talented teams to bring ideas to life.

I have grown immensely by learning how creative work can influence products, companies, and culture. As someone who has always considered himself a creative engineer, I enjoy blending technical knowledge with artistic thinking to produce work that reaches audiences around the world.

How did you get your job?

I interned at Apple in 2019 as an Assistant Camera/Director of Photography for Apple's Support YouTube Channel. I stayed connected to a few colleagues who moved from that media team to the current team I am on, and they asked that I interview for my current role that I started in 2022.

How long ago did you graduate from MCAD?

1–4 years

What inspires you/your work?

What inspires my work is the idea that even in a world that is becoming clouded by fast paced technological development such as artificial intelligence, artists are going to become more important than ever because of our human instinct to want to interact with genuine human qualities through a diversity of mediums and channels. I am inspired by the idea that artists should be even more elevated to solve real world problems such as climate change, the disparity in the economic well being for underserved groups, through the necessity of creative problem solving and engineering. This and other work will be modeled to guard rail artificial intelligence, and I keep this idea in mind through my own every day practice.

How do you network yourself and your art?

Within my role, I get to work with many different teams at Apple. I am currently networking within my company, but also outside of it within the media and filmmaking industry. I network by keeping the connections I already do have, continuing to collaborate with them and others who I am introduced to. I also network by demoing cutting edge technology with a filmmaking focus to inspire the industry in what's to come.

What was your experience living in the Twin Cities? Any hidden treasures?

The Twin Cities is the best example of a creative hub, where you can find artists who practice a diversity of art forms and go on to make something together. This filters into the economics of the Twin Cities, such as agency work or start ups, and also in the performance art elements such as music, theater and others. I love Minnesota and the Twin Cities for the accessibility of art practice and collaboration, and with its culture and community to keep art in focus.

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD?

Minneapolis, MN. I applied at MCAD per a recommendation from a family member right out of high school in 2012. I was not accepted and went to community college instead while starting my own business. I later returned to MCAD in 2020 and graduated in 2023.

Why did you choose the bachelor of science program?

I chose the Bachelor of Science program because of my drive to use my creative practice in filmmaking to create impact through my skills as an entrepreneur. I started a media production company in 2015 with the mission of working with nonprofits and small businesses through community storytelling in the Twin Cities. These client collaborations inspired me to create a network at MCAD, and through my decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, I expanded my craft as an artist and learned additional valuable skills in entrepreneurship and creative problem solving.

Favorite project you worked on for a client?

My favorite MCAD project was an advertising class project called Joining Forces, an arts exhibition that raised money for survivors of human trafficking in coordination with the Talitha Kum organization and in partnership with Edelman, a New York based advertising and PR agency. We live-streamed the exhibition and hosted it at MCAD.

Briefly describe at least one of your internships.

I interned at Apple in 2019 where I shot, produced, and edited videos for the Apple Support YouTube Channel, where viewers can learn how to use features across Apple products. During this internship, I learned how to run and manage a professional studio. I also appeared as on-camera talent in a few videos and learned new skills in motion graphics, audio recording, and production.

Best thing you ever found on the free shelf?

Was a glass jar that I used for one of my installations in my science class with Abbi Allan.

What have you learned since graduating from MCAD?

That art school is the best playground to make mistakes, try new things, and build a repertoire. Those experiences stay with you long after graduation. In one of my final interviews at Airbnb with the executive team, I presented a project I created at MCAD. It was a reminder that the work you make as a student can stay with you far longer than you expect and continue opening doors years later. One thing I have learned since leaving MCAD is that creative careers are often much less linear than they appear. I started in filmmaking and entrepreneurship, spent years helping tell stories about emerging technologies at Apple, and now work in executive and corporate communications at Airbnb. What connects all of those experiences is storytelling. I still approach my work the same way I approached my time at MCAD, by staying curious, keeping a learner's mindset, and being open to opportunities that may not fit into a traditional career path.

Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way?

MCAD prepared me in a really meaningful way when it comes to collaboration. I would describe it as finding ways to integrate other people's creative practices that are different than my own into projects I am working on and vice versa. For example, seeing how I can collaborate through my digital video project with a sculptor or painter. Almost always, these collaborations elevated the project's outcomes and made for unique client deliverables.

Is there anything you wish you knew when you were an MCAD student?

That it's even more endless when you want to involve outside of MCAD resources and mentors in your class work and it's heavily encouraged. MCAD is all about community building, and networking.

Name your biggest takeaway from the program?

That entrepreneurship and business isn't a boring idea. That the future economy needs artists at the helm to transform industries for climate and moral responsibility.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I had a hard time with education. I didn't think I would ever finish college, and I think others thought I wouldn't amount to much during my time in high school. Getting my degree at MCAD remains one of the accomplishments I am most proud of. Professionally, I am grateful to have contributed to projects and stories that have reached millions of people through my work in advertising, technology, and now communications. More than any single project, I am proud that I have been able to build a career rooted in creativity, curiosity, and storytelling. MCAD taught me that growth comes from the pursuit itself, and I carry that lesson with me every day.

What do you miss about being a student at MCAD?

I miss the weirdness. Being around like minded people, making random and creative art projects, and also using all the studios!

What advice do you have for current MCAD students and/or artists at the beginning of their creative careers?

Think unconventionally when trying to find new opportunities. Your next role may not look anything like the career you imagined while you were in school. I studied filmmaking, but that path led me into entrepreneurship, technology, communications, and leadership storytelling. Don't be afraid to pitch ideas, reach out to people, or create opportunities for yourself. Creative careers are rarely linear. Some of the best opportunities in my life came from pursuing something that felt unexpected at the time. Stay curious, keep making things, and trust that your creative skills can take you further than you might think.