Jessica Walsh - Like Knows Like

Summary

Jessica Walsh, a New York-based designer and art director, shares her creative journey from working on large advertising campaigns to personal projects like '40 Days of Dating.' Growing up in a business-oriented family, she pursued her passion for art and design, eventually partnering with Stefan Sagmeister to form 'Sagmeister & Walsh.' Her work is influenced by surrealism, and personal experiences, like the '40 Days of Dating' project, helped her grow both creatively and personally. After making healthier life choices, she met someone who fits her ideal partner list, leaving her excited about the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jessica Walsh is a designer and art director based in New York, known for a diverse range of projects, including advertising campaigns, illustration, branding, and typographic installations.
• 😀 She has a passion for personal projects, such as the '40 Days of Dating' project, which explores her own and a friend's romantic relationship challenges.
• 😀 Growing up in a business-focused family, Jessica was the artsy child, and despite her parents' lack of understanding, they supported her artistic ambitions.
• 😀 She always knew she wanted to be in New York and moved there immediately after graduation, struggling with rent but making it work.
• 😀 Jessica had a major opportunity when she reached out to Stefan Sagmeister, who eventually invited her to work with him, leading to the creation of Sagmeister & Walsh.
• 😀 Surrealism has heavily influenced Jessica's design work, with artists like Magritte, Dali, and Max Ernst shaping her creative vision.
• 😀 Her creative work is often inspired by her vivid dreams, including anxiety dreams, which she sometimes experiences during stressful periods.
• 😀 While working with clients can be demanding, Jessica finds personal projects valuable for unleashing her full creative potential without client constraints.
• 😀 In the '40 Days of Dating' project, Jessica and her friend Timothy Goodman explored their opposite relationship issues: her being a hopeless romantic and him struggling with commitment.
• 😀 The project, which started as an attempt to overcome relationship challenges, ended with Jessica gaining personal insights and making lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising.
• 😀 After the project ended, Jessica followed advice from friends to make a list of qualities she wanted in a partner, and shortly after, met someone who matched those qualities, sparking an exciting new relationship.

Q & A

What is Jessica Walsh's professional background?

Jessica Walsh is a designer and art director based in New York City. She works on a wide range of projects, including large advertising campaigns, typographic installations, websites, branding, and personal projects.

How did Jessica Walsh start her career in New York?

After graduating from college, Jessica moved to New York City, where she and an ex-boyfriend found a small apartment they could barely afford. She reached out to Stefan Sagmeister for advice on her work, which eventually led to a professional partnership and the creation of 'Sagmeister & Walsh.'

What inspired Jessica Walsh to reach out to Stefan Sagmeister?

Jessica admired Stefan Sagmeister's work and saw him as someone she would want to work with. She initially reached out to him not expecting a job, but rather to receive feedback on her portfolio. This led to a conversation about a potential collaboration.

How did the partnership between Jessica Walsh and Stefan Sagmeister come about?

After reviewing Jessica's portfolio, Stefan Sagmeister proposed a partnership. They decided to rename the studio 'Sagmeister & Walsh,' which allowed them to work together for many years and combine their creative strengths.

What personal challenges did Jessica face growing up?

Jessica grew up in an entrepreneurial family, where the environment was business-oriented, and her artistic inclinations were not fully understood. However, her mother supported her creativity, which played a significant role in her decision to pursue art and design.

How does surrealism influence Jessica Walsh's work?

Surrealism has had a major influence on Jessica Walsh's creative style. She is inspired by artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, and her work often incorporates surreal elements and vivid visual dreamscapes.

What was the concept behind the '40 Days of Dating' project?

The '40 Days of Dating' project was born from a friendship with designer Timothy Goodman. Both had opposite relationship problems—Timothy struggled with commitment, while Jessica was a hopeless romantic. They decided to date for 40 days to address their issues and document the experience.

What did Jessica Walsh learn from the '40 Days of Dating' project?

Through the project, Jessica learned a lot about herself and her relationship patterns. Despite breaking up with Timothy at the end of the project, she realized the importance of self-reflection and the need to make personal changes in her life.

How did the '40 Days of Dating' project affect Jessica's personal life?

The project led Jessica to re-evaluate her life choices, including her health and relationship habits. It was a transformative experience that motivated her to adopt healthier habits, such as exercising and eating better.

How did Jessica Walsh meet her current partner?

After the '40 Days of Dating' project, a friend advised Jessica to make a list of qualities she wanted in a partner. Just weeks later, she met someone who matched everything on her list, and although it's early, she feels excited about the relationship.