Jessica Walsh is a trailblazing American graphic designer, art director, and entrepreneur. She has reshaped the visual language of branding and creative leadership. Jessica is the founder of &Walsh, one of the few female-led creative agencies globally. She’s known for her fearless, emotionally resonant work that blends handcraft, photography, and digital design. Her journey starts from coding websites at the age of 11 to becoming a global design icon.
Jessica Walsh’s Early Life and Education
Walsh was Born on October 30, 1986, in New York and raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She began designing and coding websites at the age of 11. Her early success with a tutorial site that attracted thousands of daily visitors—and even generated income through Google Ads—sparked her passion for design. She pursued this interest at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), graduating in 2008 with a BFA in Graphic Design.
Career Beginnings: From Pentagram to Print Magazine
After graduation, Walsh turned down a lucrative offer from Apple to intern at Pentagram under Paula Scher, seeking creative growth over corporate comfort. She later became associate art director at Print magazine, where she honed her signature style—bold, handcrafted, and often surreal—by creating much of the magazine’s visual content herself.
Sagmeister & Walsh: A Creative Powerhouse
In 2010, Walsh joined renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister’s studio. Two years later, at just 25, she became his partner, and the firm was renamed Sagmeister & Walsh. Their work fused experimental typography, photography, and conceptual storytelling. Together, they produced acclaimed projects for clients like Levi’s, Jay-Z, and The New York Times. Notable collaborations include the “Six Things” exhibition at the Jewish Museum and the “Beauty” show at the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.
&Walsh: A Visionary Studio by Jessica Walsh
In 2019, Walsh launched her agency, &Walsh, making it part of the 0.1% of creative agencies founded by women. The New York-based studio specializes in branding, advertising, and digital design, with a focus on helping brands “find their weird”. This is a process that uncovers a brand’s unique personality through deep exploration.
&Walsh’s portfolio includes work for Google I/O, TED Countdown, Zooba, and The New York Times Magazine.
Social Impact and Advocacy
Walsh is also a passionate advocate for diversity and mental health in the creative industry. In 2016, she founded Ladies, Wine & Design, a nonprofit that fosters mentorship and collaboration among women and non-binary creatives. The initiative has grown to over 280 chapters worldwide. She also co-created 12 Kinds of Kindness, a social experiment designed to cultivate empathy and Let’s Talk About Mental Health, a platform that encourages open conversations about mental well-being.
Jessica Walsh ‘s Awards and Recognition
Walsh’s innovative work has earned her numerous accolades, including: Forbes’ “30 Under 30: Art & Style”, Art Directors Club Young Guns Award, Graphis Gold Awards, and Type Directors Club honors. Her projects have been featured in major publications and exhibited in museums worldwide.
Teaching and Personal Life
Walsh teaches design and typography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She lives in New York with her husband, cinematographer Zak Mulligan, and continues to mentor emerging creatives through her various initiatives.
Jessica Walsh is one of the most influential figures in contemporary design. Her fearless creativity and commitment to social change challenges norms, inspire new voices, and redefine what it means to lead with purpose in the creative world.
