Q&A with Jessica Franklin

Associate Art Director

How is living in New York different from living in Ohio?

I love living in NY! I live two blocks from the ocean: the OCEAN!!!! Then you have the city. There is just so much to do. There is always a festival, event, concert, wine tasting, and on the absolutely impossible chance there is nothing going on, you can just explore for fun and see the artists, architecture, the occasional farmers' market and hello, the STORES!. Living here gives me such a different perspective on life and has opened my eyes to other cultures and people.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since moving to New York?

Hands down, the coolest thing I’ve done (and will never do ever again, by the way) is see the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. While a lot of the hours spent standing there were torture; those 10 seconds when the entire crowd is screaming, everyone is jumping around, looking at the sky and the ball drops and confetti flies it’s just amazing. Every single person around you is happy, from the guy dressed up as Luke Skywalker waving a light saber who was incredibly annoying all day to the tiny kid who earlier that night was break dancing and taking his clothes off.

How have you adjusted to being the only female working in the studio?

Growing up, I was never really a "girly girl" and hanging out with the guys was always easier, so working with all guys is great. They always make me laugh. The practical jokes they pull on one another are hilarious, especially since I haven’t been pranked yet. Plus they are extremely helpful, whether they’re helping me with a design problem, or helping me decide whether or not my car tire is flat.

You’ve been with Austin & Williams for six months now, how would you describe the "vibe" here?

At Austin & Williams, you work hard, play hard, and pray for a Margarita Monday. Everyone here is fantastic (and I am not just saying that). This firm is laid back while maintaining professionalism. Everyone is extremely friendly and willing to help one another. I was amazed at how connected everyone here seemed to be. And where else am I going to work where practical jokes are expected, Nerf gun fights are inevitable, and work is actually fun?

When 3:00 comes during a typical workday, what do you crave the most?

That's normally the time when my sweet tooth starts calling. The holidays here are fantastic because there are always goodies in the kitchen. One of the greatest was Tim's wife Dani's assortment of AMAZING cookies!! Now I have to settle for the occasional Hershey's Kiss from "Fred the butler" in the lobby or a cup of hot chocolate… but it just isn’t the same.

Tell us one thing people may be surprised to learn about you.

Probably the fact that I know how to play the steel drum. I was a band geek in high school and proud of it and part of a touring ensemble. We went on cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico and even did an East coast tour, which brought me to New York for the first time. These tours gave me my passion for traveling, my love for Manhattan and the occasional Jimmy Buffet song in my head.