We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica J. Johnston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica J. below.

Jessica J., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

About a year ago, I was going through dusty old notebooks that I’d kept in my youth– mainly from high school. In skimming through one of these notebooks, I happened upon a page aptly titled: “Dream Jobs.” I had to smile to find “Web Designer” listed there. Later, I relayed this to a friend, talking about how funny it was to have found that: proof that I’ve achieved at least one of my lifelong dreams.
But achieving my dream of making money doing what I love full time was no walk in the park, nor did it happen overnight. It took a lot of trial and error, learning from failed experiences, dedicated networking, and above all, constant learning and challenging myself. I still learn new things nearly every single day in my career, and this is one facet of what I do that keeps it truly fun and engaging year after year. Having built websites for well over twenty years, if you’d asked me back then if I’d ever make a living doing what I love, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. But years of dedicated study, countless hours tinkering with code, and pushing myself through all the hardships has made it possible. Winning a few awards along the way didn’t hurt, either. It may have been a somewhat rocky journey, but looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. All the tribulations made me stronger in my craft in the long run.

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.

My name is Jessica J. Johnston, Jess or Jessie for short, and I specialize in WordPress development, Website design and User Experience design. I love getting to the heart and soul of a project and really figuring out the best way possible to execute it in order to make sure my client’s succeed in their endeavors. I love the psychology behind UX design and strive to build websites that people enjoy navigating– always working against frustrating or alienating users. It’s always great when said websites look awesome, too. Integrating small, subtle animated elements and microinteractions into the websites I build or design is top priority for me as well. I aim to keep users engaged, interested, and curious. Hopefully if you’re surfing a website I’ve built, you aren’t even thinking about the user experience– because usually when people notice UX, it’s because it’s a poor experience or has frustrated them. I’ve worked at a lovely placed named MBB for five years and also do occasional freelance work through my website. I feel privileged to do what I love for a living and don’t take it for granted. I focus on learning new skills and techniques as often as possible.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most satisfying part of working as a creative, in my opinion, is the constant challenge of breaking free from conventional thinking and finding innovative ways to make things click. It’s not just about coming up with clever ideas; it’s about crafting solutions that actually work and seeing the bigger picture. There’s this unmistakable moment when you pitch an idea to a client—something they hadn’t even considered—and you see that spark of realization in their eyes. That moment? Pure gold. It’s like a little nudge reminding you why you do what you do.
I approach my projects—whether it’s designing a website or crafting a strategy—like intricate puzzles. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, no manual with a neat checklist to follow. Every project demands careful thought, obsessive research, and a willingness to dive headfirst into ambitious problem-solving. It’s rewarding. The warm, fuzzy feelings come after you’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into it and finally see it all come together.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I like to think of it as “using my powers for good.” Sure, working with clients and businesses keeps the lights on, but what really fuels me is using my skills for something bigger—like pitching in for animal rescue shelters or supporting grassroots non-profits. I’ve always had this annoying streak of being a do-gooder, a wannabe humanitarian, maybe you could say. It’s not about saving the world in one grand gesture; it’s about showing up and making those small, meaningful contributions where I can.
Some of the organizations I’ve been lucky enough to work with include Imagine FURever Ranch, a senior dog sanctuary that’s basically heaven for older pups, and The Dominique Experience, a non-profit working to build a community center in KCK that’s all about creating opportunities and fostering connections. When I get to lend my expertise to causes like these, it reminds me why I even started in this line of work—it’s not just about making things look good or function better; it’s about using those skills to make a dent in the world, however small. The world may be a bit of a mess, but if I can chip away at the edges with what I do, why wouldn’t I?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessicajjohnston.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicajjohnston
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajjohnston/
• Other: https://johnstonart.org