Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Goldstein.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in a creative household. I remember both of my parents down in the “studio,” AKA our basement, at their drafting tables, with paintings and creative projects everywhere. Both were professional artists who eventually built successful businesses of their own, so creativity was simply part of everyday life for me.
That path eventually took me to Columbus College of Art & Design and, after graduating, to my first job in retail graphic design. I really enjoyed the work and found I had a strong aptitude for physical design.
My career has taken me through a number of different industries. I took opportunities as they came, and they gave me a wealth of experience and knowledge; but 29 years of experience have taught me that retail and consumer design is where I feel most at home.
Every experience taught me something and helped shape the creative I am today. Now I get to take all of it with me as I find my way back to where I started. It feels a little like coming home.
I’m incredibly grateful for the people in my life who continue to believe in me and propel me forward. A special thank you to Katherine Olenski at Ignite Salon https://www.embersandblooms.com/ for encouraging me to share my story. Sometimes it takes someone else seeing your story as worth telling for you to stop and recognize it yourself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, but I’m not sure anyone’s road really is. One of my biggest struggles was believing that moving forward always meant I was moving in the right direction. I kept taking the next opportunity, learning and growing, but I didn’t always stop to ask myself if I was actually happy doing the work.
There have been layoffs, difficult seasons, and plenty of moments when I questioned what came next. But every one of those experiences made me stronger and more confident in who I am and where I am today. I might not eagerly repeat all of them, but I wouldn’t erase them either. Most importantly, I’ve tried to take something from every experience, even the difficult ones, and carry those lessons forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I’m a hands-on graphic designer. Even after 29 years, I still want to be in the weeds, concepting, designing, problem-solving, and making things.
I’m happiest creating work that lives in the real world, whether it’s branding, packaging, retail, environmental design, or an experience people can actually walk through and interact with.
I’ve had opportunities to lead teams and take on bigger-picture roles, and I’m grateful for what they taught me. But what sets me apart is knowing that experience doesn’t have to pull me away from the work. Making real experiences and physical things that live in the world is still what I love most.
Any big plans?
Right now, I’m looking forward to being much more intentional about what comes next. After all this time, I have a clearer understanding of the kind of work that best suits my capabilities. I want to get back to creating for consumer and retail brands and making things that exist in the physical world. I’d say it’s a moderately big shift in what I’ve been doing for half my career with agency design work and management.
I’m also excited to keep learning. Design is changing quickly, especially with AI and new creative tools, and I want to embrace that without losing the hands-on, human side of making things.
The biggest change for me is probably that I’m no longer chasing the next title. I’m chasing the work I want to be doing and the people I want to be doing it with.
Pricing:
- Price depends on the project
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldsteindesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensdesignarchive/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-goldstein-design/
