Hi there!
I'm Jessica Duong.
I'm bright-eyed 22 year-old pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. Austin is the perfect backdrop for an aspiring journalist because of its incredibly eclectic personality. When I'm not studying, I'm working as a graphic designer in the marketing department for UT's Division of Housing and Food. Most times, it doesn't even feel like work. Graphic design was just a hobby before I came to UT, so the fact that I now get paid for doing something I enjoy immensely is something I'm truly grateful for.
My journalistic backgrounds includes working for the Daily Texan for two semesters as well as class-related news and photography projects. At the Texan, I worked as a copy editor, comic artist, and illustrator. Copy editing was my first taste of the journalism world (I actually worked there before I majored in journalism). Of course I couldn't ignore my creative side, so drew two comics a week for my strip "Can You Not?" which was a frank perspective on the everyday musings of my life. I also drew illustrations to accompany articles, most of which were reviews on new music releases. In the summer of 2012, I began working as a graphic designer at the Division of Housing of Food. One of the bigger campaigns I have done included creating marketing material to promote Avocado Week, a week dedicated to incorporating avocados into campus meals and also increasing awareness of their nutritional value. The marketing materials included informational flyers, animated menus, and infographics. Through my journalism classes, I have been able to really explore stories in Austin. In spring 2012, I completed a 2-month photo story on a local farm, which illustrated not only the logistics of farming, but the hard work of a small family.
After I graduate in Spring of 2014, I plan to work in the magazine field or journalism, particularly one that pride's itself in promoting a effective and aesthetically pleasing design. Whether is is fashion, music, food, or politics, design is in integral part in conveying information. Some magazines that I dream of working for are New York Magazine, Lucky, Bon Appetit, Juxtapoz, and Vanity Fair.
Free time is something I seldom have, so when I do have some I love to cook! I'm very much into baking and creating new recipes. If I had time, I would definitely work as a baker. Some of my other interests include cats, wine, and listening to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
