Jessica Walsh gets involved, whether it’s about mental health, diversity, or AI. And she doesn’t just talk, she campaigns for ideas – in social media, through her own initiatives, and with her studio &Walsh
Studio with a view – and a bright future: Jessica Walsh recently moved to Brooklyn with &Walsh, more space and a stunning panorama of Manhattan included (Photo: Creative Agency/Design Studio: &Walsh)
Actually, Jessica Walsh doesn’t really need an introduction. She is one of the world’s most famous designers, known not only for her powerful and bold works created in her Brooklyn studio &Walsh, but also for the openness with which she speaks out about her mental issues, for her commitment to diversity and equality, and most recently for her views on AI. We talked to her about what gets her up in the morning, about online hate and why sharing nevertheless matters – and how AI will change the creative world.
You wrote a work diary for The New York Times, and it showed that you have an incredibly busy schedule, filled to the brim with work on brandings, books, and movie ideas. What drives you? Jessica Walsh: Pushing forward our creative work, building our diverse team, and growing our business is what gets me up in the morning. And the work we do through our social impact initiatives such as Let’s Talk About Mental Health, gives me a sense of purpose. Even when I have a lot of work on my plate, which is more often than not, I find the energy to keep going from connecting with other humans and trying to do some good in a sometimes dark world.
That sounds very ambitious.
And I know that we can do even more and better. I’m my own biggest critic and will be the first to notice my flaws. In the past, I’ve pushed myself too far or spread myself too thin in an attempt to do as much as I can, and it caused me to burn out. I’m learning a balance of when to push forward and when to give myself space and rest so I can reserve my energy to keep going and evolving.
