Jessica Walsh: From Passion to Profession

Jessica Walsh's journey into graphic design was a winding one, filled with twists and turns that ultimately led her to become the renowned designer she is today. Growing up, Walsh was fascinated by visual communication and spent hours downloading cracked versions of graphic software at the tender age of 12. This curiosity sparked a passion that would eventually become her profession.

Walsh's early interest in coding and web design allowed her to teach herself how to create websites from a young age. She even started doing freelance work for individuals and small businesses while still in high school, gaining valuable experience in the process. However, it wasn't until she discovered the world of graphic design that Walsh truly found her calling.

'I had always been interested in how to make my websites look great beyond what code could accomplish,' Walsh recalled. 'I became fascinated with typography, color theory, and composition, and I knew that's where I wanted to focus my skills.'

Walsh's big break came when she partnered with Stefan Sagmeister to form the design firm Sagmeister & Walsh. Her work on projects such as the Aizone campaign and her personal project '40 Days of Dating' drew widespread attention and acclaim.

The '40 Days of Dating' project, which documented Walsh's experimentally dating her friend Timothy Goodman, gained a cult following of millions and cemented her status as a rising star in the design world. Her work with Sagmeister & Walsh has won numerous awards, including an international roster of identities, campaigns, and commercials.

Walsh's success is not limited to her professional work, however. She is also an accomplished teacher, having taught at schools such as the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her ability to balance her passion for design with her desire to share knowledge with others has made her a respected figure in the industry.

In this interview, we spoke with Walsh about the evolution of her career, the biggest influences on her work, and her current fascinations and creative preoccupations. From her early days as a self-taught coder to her rise as one of the most sought-after designers in the industry, Jessica Walsh's story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication.

Jessica walsh