Experience:
Jess is a highly skilled creative professional with extensive experience in both print and digital graphic design. Her expertise also encompasses illustration, 3D design, motion graphics, and a strong commitment to nurturing creativity in others.
In 2017, Jess broadened her skill set by completing an intensive boot camp in iOS app development. Subsequently, she served as the UI/UX Designer and Front-End Developer for the Reading Attention Tutor iPad App in 2018. These experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of technology, which enhances her creative work and fosters empathy for user experience challenges.
Since 2017, Jess has successfully operated as a freelance designer, collaborating with a diverse clientele, including the Earls Lappin Team, Campagna Hospitality Group, and various charitable organizations such as the Sunshine Kids Foundation and Keira's Kougars Care. She has provided illustrations, design, and creative direction for Bea Wray, the author of the best-selling book "What an MBA Taught Me … But My Kids Made Me Learn," in addition to supporting numerous small businesses, restaurants, and remodeling companies. Furthermore, Jess has held in-house graphic design positions with organizations such as John R. Wood Properties and Whole Foods. Jess has also been a guest illustrator on Adobe Live and was a recipient of the 2020 Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund. Since early 2024, Jess has been enhancing her skills through the School of Motion, focusing on animation and motion graphics.
Currently, Jess writes for CreativePro and serves as an Ambassador for the Adobe Illustrator Prerelease Community, where she has taken on roles as a moderator, ambassador, tester, supporter and mentor. Additionally, she volunteers as an Adobe Community Expert and has participated in over 25 Adobe Prerelease and Beta Programs. Jess continues to collaborate with a select group of clients, providing motion graphics, illustrative work, and graphic design.
In her personal time, Jess enjoys reading, painting, crocheting, creating origami, playing the ukulele, and exploring nature, while also committing to continuous learning and creativity.
Contact Information: create@jesstelmanik.com
My Background:
I have often been described as a creative unicorn, and my journey to this point has been anything but traditional. Early in my career, I gained valuable experience in the service, retail, and hospitality industries, which has given me a unique perspective on human interactions and a nuanced understanding of various real-world dynamics—from the importance of treating others with respect to the significance of paper selection for a restaurant menu or the necessity of patience when faced with challenges in a busy hotel setting (like a sold out 600 room hotel with a broken water heater the morning after Saint Patricks Day… in downtown Chicago).
I am equally comfortable navigating complex Excel spreadsheets as I am speaking before an audience or mastering the latest Adobe software updates.
My dedication to kindness and community has led me to volunteer with pediatric cancer patients, teach art and hand lettering classes to diverse groups, and actively engage with the Adobe community, supporting both novices and professionals alike.
My relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth has allowed me to develop an extensive skill set encompassing pattern recognition, precise typography, and both traditional and digital art techniques. Ultimately, my greatest contributions to the world are grounded in kindness, compassion, and empathy. I am grateful to all the mentors who have influenced my journey, helping me define the kind of professional and individual I aspire to be.
My guiding principle remains simple: always be kind.
My guiding principle remains simple: always be kind.