Jessica Hughes Designer & Illustrator

09/03/2026

I'm primarily a digital artist. Every now and then, I paint (oil for fun, and watercolor when I need to de-stress), but most of my art is digital illustration. My iPad and pencil are my best friends, and the controls and being able to be close to the screen make it MUCH easier for me to see what I'm doing.

One thing I found the most helpful is a drawing glove. I don't get any sort of commission or payment for this, but buying this has made my drawing so much easier. I already struggle with neat lines, but it's worse when my hand gets stuck on the screen. This glove helps my hand glide over it.

https://a.co/d/0div94mj

Digital Art Glove: Triple-Layer Touch Shield with Dual-Finger Ambidextrous Fit for Tablets, iPad & Sketching, Includes Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (2-Pack, Medium, Black) Dual-Finger Ambidextrous Construction Fits comfortably on left or right hand, molding to your grip for a distraction-free creati...

09/01/2026

Native American art has been brought back into the spotlight through jewelry, clothing, artifacts, and, of course, "traditional" art like paintings.

Something that gets a little less spotlight is Graphic Design and how Native American inspiration and influences show up.

Monacan Indian Nation member Brian Johnson, a member of the Monacan Indian Nation addresses this and talks about how important it is to decolonize design in his new book, "Designed to Be Red: Native & Indigenous Graphic Works".

I admittedly love European art and its influence, but I think the principle of "Native First" is very important and has a place in design.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91595730/the-long-and-beautiful-story-of-native-american-graphic-design

08/28/2026

Still open to full-time work, so here's what I actually want: an organization with room for growth where you're respected as a professional and rewarded for loyalty.

In return you get someone who takes pride in their work, works hard to make things easier for the team, and cares about what they do .

If that sounds like you, I'd love to talk.

• Must be full time
• Must be hybrid or fully remote
• Must a promotion system in place that prioritizes internal candidates.

08/26/2026

I can think of plenty of good reasons to go into an office. “Because it’s policy” is NOT one of them.

If I’m going to spend the extra energy and hours commuting somewhere, I want there to be an actual reason I need to be there. Especially if I’m just going to sit at a desk and do the exact same work I could’ve done at home.

As usual, I have thoughts. Including some about communal office cleanliness and headphone-less TikTok videos on public transit.

New Sketchbook post: https://jessicaehughes.com/sketchbook/why-mandatory-office-days-dont-make-sense

08/21/2026

I’m well aware of the irony of posting this on LinkedIn.

I started writing about whether LinkedIn is actually useful for job hunting anymore, especially for designers.

At some point, it morphed into a conversation about the design job market, career growth, stability, and what I tell the young designers I mentor when they ask me what they should expect from this career.

So… I may have veered off-topic a little. 😂

But if you’re a designer who’s been job hunting, feeling stuck, or wondering whether LinkedIn is doing anything besides showing you a job that closed three months ago, you’ll probably understand where I’m coming from.

New blog: "The Ghost of LinkedIn"

LinkedIn used to feel essential for networking and finding work. Now, stale job listings, AI-generated content, paywalled features, and an increasingly difficult design job market have me wondering how useful it really is, especially for young designers trying to build a career.

08/14/2026

Empty space isn't empty. It actually has a job.

DIY graphic creators fill it in constantly. Clients ask me to fill it in constantly.

"How come there's so much room here?"
"Why's all this space here?"

People confuse "white space" with "empty space". It's not, and it goes beyond design. I often tell my fiancé that just because there is still empty space on a wall doesn't mean that we need to put something there. Open space gives your eyes room to "breathe".

It's less overstimulating. It makes the things that you want people to pay attention to the most stick out more.

I've got a few spots open if you need work that doesn't feel claustrophobic.

08/11/2026

The date is on the invite, but nobody can find it.

It's very likely a contrast problem: size, color, weight, and spacing all fighting each other instead of working together. Or, all just chilling together and everyone blending in together - if you prefer.

One thing I (and lots of other designers) do is squint. I'm sorry for any wrinkles, but it's probably THE easiest way to see how things look. Everything one big blur? Your contrast is bad. Before making any other changes, try changing ONE ☝🏾 of the things listed above.

And whatever DOES stick out right away, make sure it's what you want to stick out.

07/29/2026

I often donate my illustrations to charity fundraisers, and I almost never get photos with my art, or at all.. I prefer to be behind the camera. The friend who was hosting the fundraiser auction caught me and made me take a picture.

It's blurry because I was trying to run away from them. It did not work.

Here it is. Your favorite cryptid.

07/24/2026

A small design lesson that helps almost everyone:

Blank space isn't just empty space.

It helps tell the eye where to go.

It gives an image room to breathe. It makes the important buttonsvand other info easier to find.

This is especially helpful if you are making your own flyer or social graphic.

Before you add more stuff, try adding more space.

I cover this, and other design basics in my free guide: "Very (very) Basic Design Principles".

Grab it here: https://jessicaehughes.com/free99