Meet the Experts: How to Build a Successful Design Agency with World-Renowned Designer Jessica Walsh

Jessica Walsh is one of the most influential graphic designers of our time. We picked the brain of this creative powerhouse to learn how she built her thriving career, as well as her top advice for aspiring designers.

Jessica Walsh is one of the most iconic graphic designers of the modern age. As the founder and creative director of world-renowned design agency, &Walsh, she’s had a significant impact on the evolution of visual trends and the graphic design industry. Her designs and illustrations have been featured everywhere, from the New York Times and New York Times Magazine to major celebrity and brand campaigns.

Jessica started coding and designing websites when she was only 11 and soon realized that this was more than a hobby – she wanted to dedicate her life to art and design. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design in 2008, she moved to New York City where she turned down a job at Apple to intern under fellow iconic female designer, Paula Scher. She then went on to co-found the prestigious New York design studio Sagmeister & Walsh, where she worked with big-name brands including Levi’s, Aizone and Adobe.

Tell us your story! How did you get into design and develop your career?

When I was 11, I taught myself how to code and design websites. I created an HTML help site that taught other kids how to make websites. Google Advertising had just launched, and I tried one of their banners on my website and started making a lot of money from it. I never thought I could make money from this hobby; I always thought I would have a regular job in business or finance. But my early success with web design gave me the confidence to go to art school and dedicate my life to design.

My early success with web design gave me the confidence to go to art school and dedicate my life to design. I never thought I could make money from this hobby.

After graduating from RISD, I turned down a job at Apple to intern for Paula Scher. I worked there for many months before I landed a job as an art director at Print Magazine. I started working there in 2008 when the economy crashed, and the magazine’s budgets for illustration and photography were slashed.