Hey. I’m Jaclyn.
My friends call me Jac.
My expertise
No one wants to read long blocks of text, so here’s a little bulleted list of my experience:
15+ years of experience in marketing design
Websites, software prototypes, brand identities, campaigns, and more
Leading design and development teams of up to 5 people
Communicating design goals, strategy, and progress with CXOs
Leading parallel projects, planning timelines, and meeting goals
Strengthening client relationships through education, clear communication, and managing expectations
Print experience for marketing, advertising, products, and live events
Copywriting
8+ years of experience in UX/UI strategy and design
User interviews, research, and reporting
Clearly articulating design decisions based on available data
Using AI to start prototyping faster
I will never pretend to know everything, but I will never shy away from new experiences or learning opportunities. Figuring out how to make challenging circumstances work—and work well—is totally my jam.
My philosophies
Designs should always be data-driven—whether it’s qualitative data (user behaviors, trends, best practices, etc), or quantitative data (bounce rates, open rates, click-throughs, etc). The more you know, the more powerful a design can be as a tool. Opinions or preferences do have a place in design, but it’s never before utility or the overall user experience.
AI is a friend, not an enemy... but it’s a friend I don’t trust too much. AI is so helpful in speeding up work and research. But I never use AI output without reviewing it myself, combing through it carefully, picking it apart to make sure the sources are accurate, or checking with an expert.
A healthy mind creates the best work. Putting the screen down and getting outside will always help my mind work its best. I am fiercely dedicated to making every project a success, even when traveling, but sometimes just looking at some clouds, hugging a tree, or climbing on some rocks will do more for my work than anything else. After all, great design is inspired by nature.
Fun facts
Outside of work, I have many insatiable interests.
I really enjoy traveling; my favorite countries so far (outside the US) are Japan and Scotland—there’s just something ethereal about their culture and landscapes.
I lived in New York for 5 years, just outside the Bronx, before moving back home to California.
My additional loves are reading, photography, hiking, road trips, video games, and organizing. I also have a little niece and nephew that I am often chasing around the house, coloring with, or whipping gloriously at Mario Kart.
Nara, Japan where you can feed biscuits to wild deer and take selfies with them. I’m also wearing a sweater that a kind shop owner loaned me because it was freezing and I didn’t have a jacket. That’s kindness and trust that you don’t see too often these days.
Queens, New York With 3 designers on my team at Advantages—Courtney Moore, Sam Feldman, and Gabriela Rivadeneira—all amazing people!
Glen Coe, Scotland where it rains a lot, so everything is vibrant green and there are infinite rainbows. Such a dreamy landscape—my friends and I would often roam around in open fields and hills just to get away from the populated areas and feel the immensity of the place. I am hoping to go back again someday for a longer visit.
Pier 39, San Francisco with my favorite little munchkin rugrats (niece and nephew).
Vista, California Onsite with some of the executive team at The Smyth Group for a marketing workshop.