Years ago, Majo (our host) invited Jessica Hische to speak at the first Women In Design event and she blew everyone away with her humor, honest vulnerability, and passion for her work. Jessica is a lecturer, illustrator, and type designer – hands down one of the most important designers living amongst us in our generation today. Her clients include Wes Anderson, Dave Eggers, Penguin Books, The New York Times, Tiffany & Co., the list goes on and on.

She recently released her book, In Progress, where she shares her creative process, how her career unfolded, and how each opportunity leads to the next. Jessica and Majo may have only scratched the surface in this interview, but they cover a lot of juicy stuff plus wisdom and tips for the striving creative.

Show Notes:
–Growing up as a quiet art kid from a small town. [4:08]
–On Jessica’s work ethic, the awkwardness of high school, and her book, In Progress. [10:13]
–How her parents’ divorce made her a kinder person, and why “oversharing” is a huge part of who Jessica is. [14:53]
–The shock of criticism: Being told she wasn’t “good enough” and how she responded. [20:16]
–Dealing with competition in art school, doing lots of internships, plus a great pro tip for students. [26:30]
–Going all in: The illustration promo she put together to get noticed, and how it paid off. [31:44]
–On working insane hours, being upfront with her boss about what was important to her, and how hard it was to quit. [42:16]
–Diving into freelancing full-time and being her own boss: How Jessica dealt with doubt and her biggest fear. [50:24]
–Why Jessica likes to think of her life and career as a constellation, plus some great advice for creatives looking to attract business. [54:20]
–The importance of being an accessible creative leader, speaking her truth, and maintaining humility without losing self-confidence. [1:01:08]

References:
In Progress by Jessica Hische
jessicahische.is/awesome