Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Tremblay.
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I moved to the great city of Austin, TX, in 2002 to attend UT Austin as a Studio Art Major. Like most folks who move here to attend UT, I never left! I fell in love with the city, the people, and the culture. After graduating, I found my niche in the design community. I began my journey down the career path to become a designer—developing my network and meeting fun, interesting people. After taking on many game and digital design roles, I eventually ended up at IBM in North Austin. I’ve enjoyed everything this wonderful city offers throughout my time in Austin. I take daily inspiration from the culture, food, and people that make up our vibrant community.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There have definitely been speed bumps on my journey to get to where I am today. UX design was not an established practice when I was in college, and the industry was (and still is) molding itself. I had to navigate multiple roles, skills, and uncertainties from my peers and employers. Many folks like me were shaping the industry as we went along, and while this was exciting, there was always a voice in my head saying, “Am I doing this right?” paired with constant imposter syndrome. This was something I had to overcome along the way. But to do this in Austin, a city full of creatives who love to “keep things weird,” gave us the foundation to begin to build a community for budding UX and digital designers. I am lucky to be a part of this local design community, especially IBM’s recent design transformation story, which dubbed Austin its design headquarters in 2013. I joined IBM in 2014 alongside 300+ other designers in Austin to establish a mature globally adopted design practice, inspiring many different folks locally alongside an entire industry. I’m also a woman in an industry where men have traditionally led the way. As a woman leader in design, I must give back in any way I can. Over my career, I’ve led and participated in many events to get more women in tech. In design, we need more folks from different backgrounds and lived experiences. Designers help shape the technology we use today, so having their input and skills is critical to ensuring we create products that help improve our lives rather than harm. Breaking down the barrier to entry and showing folks they can do this, too, that’s what it’s about.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
As a designer and leader, a favorite part of my job is solving human problems and helping people. I do this in my role at IBM and as my side gig as Director of Design Ranch. I have many roles at IBM, but my most recent is taking on the responsibility of Austin Design Studio Director. Our local design community has faced many problems over the past few years, from dealing with the effects of a global pandemic to nearly losing our studio to the big Texas winter storm. We are in this weird space where we find a “new normal,” going from isolation and working at home to seeing each other in person again. I am responsible for finding ways to bring our community back together and establish a new culture.
The other part of my job at IBM is as a program manager of IBM’s Racial Equity in Design initiative (racialequityindesign.com). We are committed as a design organization to ensuring racial equity is instilled in the design culture inside and outside of IBM. We’ve had the opportunity to listen and learn from the experience of Black designers and designers of color over the past couple of years and then put solutions into practice. Talk about solving human problems—this work is the most critical work and something I now infuse into everything I do as a designer and human being.
Now, let’s talk about Design Ranch! Design Ranch (a design conference like no other!) takes place every other year in Hunt, Texas, about 3 hours west of Austin alongside the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River. We are lucky to have Camp Waldemar as our venue for this event, and if you’ve never been out there, it is a magical place! The lack of cell signal and wifi forces you to put down your devices, disconnect from technology and social media, and get dirty making cool stuff with your hands. I’ve attended 5 Design Ranch events over the past 10+ years, and this conference, more than any other, gave me the space and freedom to find my creative soul. I fell in love with the event, so much so that I eventually joined the board and am now Director. We focus on uplifting a diverse set of workshop leaders from across the area to showcase their craft to attendees who come from all across the country. It’s a damn good time, and I’m proud of the experience we provide to our community!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I love connecting with others, whether in a work setting or my personal life. This ability to create connections and close relationships opened many opportunities along the way. The people I’ve met on my journey have shaped me into the human being I am today, and I know that it is also a two-way street. It’s not only what you take but also what you put back in. That person you’re talking to on the other side of the screen they are a person with a life and so many great stories. Learn how to authentically listen to what they say, hear their stories, and find ways to be there when they need help. Another characteristic I’ve learned over the years is to stop asking for permission and do. I have a mentor, who I am forever grateful for, who constantly called me out. Whenever he saw me doing this, he’d mention it (in a polite, constructive way, of course!), but eventually, I began to recognize this behavior and learned how to course-correct. Developing that confidence over the years has helped me be a better leader. Lastly, I emphasize infusing diversity and inclusion in everything I do. From organizing conferences and events to creating content and blog posts, I recognize that if I can provide opportunities for those who are less fortunate or need the extra lift, I prioritize this. The easiest thing you can do is to give up your seat at the table for others, and I want to make sure my peers who work alongside me learn from my actions, see the benefits and how it helps others, and do the same. Helping other people—That’s the key to happiness, right? I am fortunate to do that in my life and as a career, and I hope others are inspired to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/poofichu/ - LinkedIn: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/jetremblay/ - Other: https://
racialequityindesign.com - Other: https://designranch.org
Image Credits
David Avila
Brandon Guidry
Unknown
