Diverse experience

Clean and intuitive design

Creative & Driven

Visual Problem Solver

User-centered Design

Continuous Discovery

User-Research

about me

about-img
Hi, I'm Jackie. I am a systems thinker, a collaborator, and a strong customer advocate with a passion for delivering exceptional user experiences. Leveraging creative problem-solving skills and UX best practices, I guide my team to think beyond the expected and deliver high-quality solutions that resonate with users. My goal is to ensure our team has a deep understanding of customer workflows, enabling us to create experiences that not only delight users but also help them accomplish their tasks efficiently. Throughout my career, I have applied this approach across diverse industries, driving innovative, user-centered outcomes at companies like Autodesk, Warner Bros., South Park Studios, and John Hancock. By integrating AI/ML technologies and iterative design thinking, I ensure we consistently deliver impactful, data-driven results

BIRTHPLACE

Portsmouth, NH

 RESIDENCE

Amesbury, MA

EDUCATION

BFA in Film

EMAIL

JackieWatsonDesigns@gmail.com

HOBBIES

Animation, drawing, soccer, running, fishing

Download Resume


Resume

Here's where I've been...


WORK EXPERIENCE

2019 - 2024
Autodesk
Principal Experience Designer
  • Led product discovery using design thinking practices to understand business and user needs
  • Created visualizations and prototypes for automated solutions using AI and ML.
  • Designed workflows for architects to create realistic 3D visualizations & simulations of building designs. 
  • Designed user interactions & dashboards for architects to evaluate the environmental performance of sustainable building designs.
  • Conducted customer research sessions to validate and support product enhancement decisions.
  • Facilitated Design Studio and Design thinking sessions across multiple teams to foster collaboration and drive innovation.

2016 - 2019
Manulife / John Hancock Financial Services
Experience Designer
  • Co-led the creation of a digital component library to ensure consistent user experiences across various products.
  • Designed a global sign-in and multi-factor authentication experience to enhance security and usability

2013 - 2016
TIAA Financial Services
Senior User Experience Design Lead

Developed UX/IA documentation including site outlines, process flows, sketches, scenarios, personas, wireframes, and navigation models for desktop and mobile applications to define functionality and user behavior. Collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders including business owners, product managers, UX visual designers, developers, and end users, to identify user interface needs and present design solutions. Led UX Design initiatives to enhance the account opening experience, resulting in a significant 53% increase in account openings within three months of launch.  Spearheaded the delivery of an innovative, interactive retirement...

2011 - 2013
Lucky Labs
Senior Interactive Designer / Animator

● Led and mentored the design team of a successful interactive game company. ● Responsible for overseeing all aspects of creative work across a wide range of platforms and experiences including  web, mobile, video, social and interactive media. ● Consulted with product team and analyze market trends to define and create innovative user experience solutions  and ad campaigns. ● Developed and maintain the company style guide and brand guidelines according to marketing strategies. ● Collaborated with developers to deliver high quality, optimized designs. ● Created, advised, and oversaw all media including experience design, interface design, character design, graphic design, and animation to ensure quality, engaging entertainment....

2010 - 2011
Game Show Network – Digital (gsn.com)
Interactive Designer / Animator
● Assisted Creative Director and VP of Marketing on creating engaging, interactive marketing solutions, promotional campaigns and online initiatives.
● Designed, illustrated, and animated visuals and user interfaces for social games on Facebook starting from wireframe mockups to finalized art.
● Launched titles include: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and TG Motocross for Facebook.
● Led conceptual demonstrations and created game mockups for ad sales presentations.
2008 -2010
Gamelogic
Senior Designer / Animator
● Designed and created quality 2D & 3D artwork and animation for on-line game development.
● Designed user interface for games and product marketing.
● Created marketing materials and product branding for print and new media.
2006-2008
Harvard Business School
Senior Multimedia Designer / Animator
● Created interactive animations and graphics for higher education online tutorials.
● Collaborated with key management to develop a showcase of the current uses of new media in education.
2003 - 2006
Gamelogic
Design Manager
● Hired and managed team of 6 designers in the creation of assets for online game development.
● Oversaw and directed final art and conceptual material.
2001 - 2003
Freelance/Contractor
Art Director, Illustrator, Animator, Designer, Instructor
SESAME STREET / 360KID / DEOS / SONY / DISNEY / CURIOUS PICTURES
● Created animation for Sesame Street online games and a feature-length 3D film for Sony Wonder on broadcast TV.
● Wrote, directed, and animated an award winning animated film for children for national distribution. ● Animated and fabricated characters for a stop-motion short for HBO and Curious Pictures.
● Created original model of transformable house/rocket for use on motion rigging for “Playhouse Disney” episodes.
● Taught courses (Intro to Flash Cartoon Animation and Introduction to Flash) at Boston Center for Adult Education.
1999 - 2001
Warner Bros.
Lead Animator
● Liaison between director and animation team for 13 episodes appearing on Kid's WB network.
● Animated characters, props, lighting, scenery and visual FX using 3D Studio Max.
● Modeled characters and props according to script and scene breakdown.
● Broke down script and storyboarded scenes in preparation for animation
1997 - 1999
South Park Studios
Animator
● As one of the 7 original animators, collaborated on the original style of the show to create a similar look and feel as paper cut-out animation using computer generated imagery.
● Animated characters, props and visual FX using MAYA. “Killed” Kenny many times.
1996 - 1997
Film Roman Interactive
3D Animator / Modeler

● Started as an intern and soon hired as a full-time 3D animator creating scenes and props for a console game....


Education

1991 - 1995
Emerson College
BFA in Film

(only 6 awarded annually)...

2000
Boston University
Web Design Certification

...

1999 - Present
Lynda.com

Online training and skills development...


Awards

1994
Best 16mm Film
Emerson College Annual Evvy Awards

...

1995
Best 16mm Film
Emerson College Annual Evvy Awards

...

2008
Employee of the Year Nominee
Massachusetts Staffing Association

...


Skills

I AM PROFICIENT IN THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL SKILLS








Contact

Feel free to reach out...

Amesbury, MA 01913
617.470.3891