We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jené Adams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jené thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

It’s funny because it’s been almost a year since I started my LLC. I’m a full-time senior designer, but I’ve always loved art and illustration. For years, I wanted to sell my prints online, but I kept putting it off. At the start of 2024, I finally decided to launch my website. Over the next few months, I spent hours researching print-on-demand services, testing prints, and setting up my store. Learning so much at once felt overwhelming at times, but I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends, who encouraged me to keep going. Starting a business isn’t easy. One thing my mom told me last year stuck with me: ‘You can’t rush the process. You just have to go through it.’ Sometimes, we’re so focused on the final result that we forget how much growth happens along the way. Now that my website is live, it feels incredibly rewarding—because I remember everything it took to get here.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am currently a Senior Designer at Segal Savad and an artist based in New Jersey. Growing up, I was always passionate about creating art, no matter the medium. After high school, I was accepted into the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where I majored in graphic design. Before college, I didn’t know much about graphic design, but after talking with my parents and school counselors, I realized it offered a wide range of career opportunities. While at MICA, I discovered my passion for motion graphics, which led to my first role out of college as a Freelance Motion Designer at Cosmopolitan, creating animations for their social media platforms. Over the past nine years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various roles involving motion graphics, digital and print design, branding, and UX/UI design. I’m grateful for my journey because it has shown me just how many avenues exist within the graphic design industry. What I’m most proud of, however, are my passion projects—especially my illustration work and sharing my skills with my community. Through illustration, I highlight women of color to promote self-confidence and celebrate Black culture. My style is often recognized for its bright pastel color schemes, which appear in much of my work. I also enjoy sharing my creative process on social media as a way to inspire others and pass along the skills I’ve learned along the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In previous roles, I’ve had to advocate for myself—whether for career opportunities or the tools I needed. When I felt undervalued, I learned to speak up and express my concerns. And when there was no longer room to grow, I wasn’t afraid to bet on myself and seek new opportunities. I believe it’s essential to make sure your voice is heard in any role you’re in.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn in my journey is the idea that I should know everything. Over time, I’ve realized I may never be “an expert” in just one thing—and that’s okay. We live in a world where technology is constantly evolving, and we’re always adapting to keep up.

I learned this lesson after my first semester of college. In high school, my peers and family admired me as an artist. But when I got to MICA, I was surrounded by incredibly talented people, and it humbled me. I was challenged to think outside the box and exposed to new art styles and mediums. Since then, I’ve never felt like I’ve truly “mastered” everything—and that mindset has kept me open to growth.

Over the past two years, I’ve been teaching myself Figma, which has helped me build UX/UI projects. I think continuous learning is necessary—not just to stay ahead, but to stay inspired and avoid creative stagnation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @creative_jene
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenebadams/

Image Credits

Kelly Kaptures Photography