Hi, I’m Jess.
I am an Iowa City-based creative with deep Texas roots. I’ve got over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and design—currently working as Art Director at the University of Iowa by day, and as a stationery designer by night.
Posing in front of the New York skyline in 2007.
A Texas Girl with a Big (Apple) Dream.
After receiving my degree from Texas State University in 2007, I packed my bags and moved to New York City to work at a large, fast-paced agency. As if that wasn’t a big enough transition, I took a job working second shift (4pm–midnight) in their production studio. When you work a job like this, you’re forced to learn a lot quickly—problem solving when no one else is around, managing your time, and working together as a team so we can get it all done and go home for the night.
Growth of All Kinds.
Soon, Texas called me back home and I spent the next several years at a small, quirky healthcare agency. This is where I grew as both a creative, and as a person. When I started working here, I was young, single, and driven by my career. I was doing small design jobs, and spent much of my time learning from others. By the time I left, I was married, a new mom, and had become a digitally-focused art director that was designing web experiences and pitching concepts to high-profile clients.
Art Directing a photoshoot for a healthcare client in 2011.
Posing with Iowa’s mascot, Herky.
Seizing Opportunity.
In search of a better work-life balance, I left the agency life behind in 2013 to begin a career in Higher Education. My new environment was full of energy and fresh perspective—fueling my passion for design, but also broadening my focus to storytelling and marketing strategy. Within a few years we found ourselves moving to Iowa to pursue a new adventure at the University of Iowa. Here, I’ve been able to grow as a leader by mentoring a team of creatives and helping to establish the university’s first comprehensive brand strategy.
Stretching Creatively.
While I find myself doing less design work during the day, exploring my creativity and keeping my design skills sharp is still important to me. Designing stationery and art for Minted allows me to continue to get my hands dirty, take creative risks, and has created opportunities that I never thought possible. The Minted community inspires me and connects me with a network of artists, entrepreneurs, marketers, parents, and other multitaskers like me.
Working on wedding stationery for Minted in 2018.
