Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Shedrick-Rendon.
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path into design definitely hasn’t been a straight line. Before becoming a designer, I served in the Marine Corps and later worked in criminal justice and social services. These careers and experiences shaped my love of helping and supporting people through challenges but I was missing something.
Creativity has always been a part of me, but for a long time, I didn’t really see it as something I could build a career around. Eventually, I reached a point where I knew I wanted to do something that not only served community but also fed my creativity. The move to Austin definitely made it easier for me to explore design and what started as curiosity eventually grew into my business, JMNQ Design.
As I grew as a designer, I realized I really enjoy working with artists and creatives. I think a lot of that came from me seeing myself in them. Today, my work is expanding beyond web design through lettering and exploring more editorial, cultural, and art-focused work. It feels like all these different parts of my life are finally starting to connect and honestly, I’m really excited to see where it takes me.
All in all, the thread is really the same. I want to collaborate and create work that helps people tell their stories without watering down the parts that make them who they are.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not, but I don’t think I would have wanted it to be smooth.
One of the biggest challenges for me has been figuring out where I fit creatively while also realizing that I don’t actually want to fit into one specific box. I didn’t go to design school or take a traditional path into this industry. I came into design later in life, specifically in my 40’s, after already having completely different yet established careers. There were definitely moments where I’ve questioned what I was doing and whether I knew enough to call myself a designer or an artist, but my passion is too strong to give up.
Building a business while still figuring out who I am creatively is no joke, lol. There is so much pressure to pick a niche, have a signature style, and know what you want to be known for. Meanwhile, my interests are plenty and there is probably five other things I haven’t discovered yet, but I am learning to be okay with that.
Instead of trying to force myself into a lane, I’m just giving myself room to explore and let the connections between my interests happen naturally. Who says we have to have every part of our journey figured out?
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Right now, my work intersects with design, lettering, art, and culture. Through JMNQ Design, I primarily design Squarespace websites for artists, DJs, and other creatives who want an online presence that feels uniquely them. Lately I have been developing my lettering side of my practice that I plan to infuse into websites as well.
I think what connects everything I do is that I’m really interested in the person and the story behind the work. The collaborative approach and strategy are probably what sets me apart because I am not interested in telling someone what their work or brand should be. I ask a lot of questions, listen, and we create a system together. My background outside of design has shaped that a lot because I have spent a big part of my life listening to people, understanding where they’re coming from, and creating a plan that feels intentional and true to them.
What I am most proud of is that I am building a creative practice that looks and feels like me. I’m allowing design, lettering, art, and culture to exist together instead of feeling like I have to choose one. I’m still figuring out what that looks like in the end, but I’m proud that I am giving myself the space to find out.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m probably the last person who would tell someone to go into a room and “network”. I am more of an introvert and have had to find communities and spaces that I’m genuinely interested in and have built relationships from there.
As for finding a mentor, I’d say find people whose work or career you are interested in, follow what they are doing, ask thoughtful questions, support them, and build a relationship with them before asking them to be a mentor.
Other than that I would say that you just have to put yourself in the room. I know it can be uncomfortable, but so many of my best connections have happened simply because I showed up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjmonique/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmshedrick-rendon
