SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER, OFFICE OF NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO, ALBANY NY
Growing up in a small town in the Berkshires, Jessica Lucia turned to art as a way to express herself and soon found her passion in design. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic and Media Design from Sage College of Albany and later worked at the marketing firm Smith + Jones before joining the Office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Jessica believes that design can solve problems, and in the Governor’s office, she is putting that belief into practice by helping communicate and implement life-changing policies in New York. She is responsible for brand management in the Governor’s office and leads design and content production across multiple platforms, including speeches delivered by Governor Cuomo. As a strategic thought leader, she also collaborates with senior state executives on branding and visual messaging for projects that impact New Yorkers, whether it’s the transformation of the NYC subway system or a campaign for strengthening women’s rights. Spearheading the creative process from beginning to end in the high-intensity environment of a political office, Jessica is redefining the role and opportunities for design in public policy.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Adams MA and currently live in Albany NY.
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I have a BFA in Graphic + Media Design from Sage College of Albany.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Morning person
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Andy Sachs, the Anne Hathaway character in The Devil Wears Prada
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
No, although I wish I could play the piano
FAVORITE BOOK?
The Four Agreements
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Dirty Dancing
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Any good series on Netflix
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram
FAVORITE PODCAST?
Design Matters with Debbie Millman
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
László Moholy-Nagy
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
Beau Biden Foundation, for the protection of children against child abuse and neglect
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Spending time with loved ones
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Clothes and shoes
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
UX for sure
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Jean Dahlgren, my design professor at Sage College and is now President of Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD). I wouldn’t be where I am today without her continued guidance and support.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is attention to detail and meeting deadlines in a high-intensity environment; weakness is having a hard time saying no.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Always go the extra mile.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A teacher
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Re-set. Re-adjust. Re-start. Re-focus. As many times as you have to.”
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