About
Currently, I am a UX designer (who dabbles in research) at IBM working on an AI code assistant and a virtual server platform. I combine my passion for storytelling with my technical knowledge of human-centered design and research to advocate for users.
My work experiences—which span the IT, E-commerce, film & media, non-profit, and consumer goods industries—include design and research roles at companies such as IBM, Spanx, Procter & Gamble, and Electrik Skin Productions.
Outside of work, I love picnicking with friends in San Francisco’s many parks, shopping second-hand, visiting the library, and hiking in Northern California. I would love to start a small business and write a book one day.
leveraging knowledge of audiences to effectively convey a message in a way that resonates, engages teams and partners, and promotes action
leaning in to communication, organization, and encouragement with teammates so that can we collaborate effectively
finding inspiration in the unexpected, identifying connections, and looking for new ways to solve problems
taking a holistic approach to solving complex problems by highlighting how parts connect & affect the system as a whole
rapidly generating new hypotheses and ideas to test, leveraging prototyping and research to define direction
demonstrating a bias for action by taking initiative to find new opportunities for improvements, make changes, and close gaps
Experience
2022 - Present
User experience design and research for the IBM i AI Code Assistant offering
User experience design for Power Virtual Server
Generative AI team lead for IBM’s AI Design Guild
2021 - 2022 acedemic year
Led a 12-week design bootcamp covering the fundamentals of UX research and design for the non-profit, Bits of Good, a Georgia Tech VIP and Hack4Impact chapter.
May - Aug 2021
User experience design and research for Power Virtual Server on the Power Design Team (previously known at the Cognitive Systems team)
Jan - April 2021
Upstream innovation and design for sustainability and responsible beauty at P&G’s Beauty Care Innovation Studio
Jan - April 2020
Branding and web design for corporate and film clients
May - Aug 2019
Design and research for spanx.com
Awards
Recognized for championing a client experience-led, outcome-driven approach to transforming IBM offerings.
IBM Client and Partner Succes Award 2023
Recognizes those who've gone above and beyond to achieve client success, drive an increase in client satisfaction, and build trust between clients and IBM.
Stamps Presidents Scholar 2017-2022
Awarded the Stamps Presidents Scholarship—Georgia Tech’s full-ride, merit-based scholarship.
Gold Scholarship 2015
SCAD Summer Seminars SCAD in Atlanta, GA
Education
Bachelors of Science in Literature, Media, and Communication
Concentrations in Digital Media and Interaction Design
Spring Research School Program
Research program in collaboration with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs focusing on Iberian politics and history
Research program in collaboration with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs focusing on Iberian politics and history
Summer seminars - Coursework in Animation and Digital Design
Writing & speaking
Speaker/presenter: Design Considerations for Generative AI
Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering 2024
Design Challenge Coach
IBM i Large User Group 2024
Co-facilitator & design coach
IBM Design Blog 2023
The Best Worst Design: The Power of Absurd Ideas in the design process
San Francisco Design Week 2023
Event organizer & presenter: IBM Enterprise Design Thinking & the Power of Absurd Ideas
Georgia Institute of Technology 2022
Ivan Allen Alumni Stories: How Rosie Sycks (LMC) Became a Designer at IBM
Georgia Tech Design Club 2022
Event panelist/speaker
Bits of Good 2022
Design Career Chats event panelist/speaker
Kind words
Derick M.
Design Lead at IBM
“I always leap at any opportunity to work on the same projects with Emma, she is one of those people that is an elevator. You become better at your craft when working alongside her, she knows how to make your strengths shine and your weaknesses disappear in the most seamless and natural ways. Her head is always on a swivel looking for ways to make work more efficient and is flexible around any blockers. I could go on and on about how talented and intentional of a designer and researcher she is as well, but it is truly this X factor paired with her bubbly personality and approachability that makes working with her one of a kind.”
Ramsey D.
UX Researcher at IBM
“I could say endless positive things about working with you. You are such a pleasure to work with. You’re driven, creative, and an excellent communicator.”
Wendy P.
UX Research Lead at IBM
“Thank you for all you’ve done to keep our project moving forward this year. I’m not sure we would have made it to an actual MVP plan if it wasn’t for your thoughtful and diligent work and guidance.”
Mark N.
Program Manager at IBM
“Thank you again for all the help, time, and resources you’ve given me this past recruitment cycle. You’re really one of the best storytellers and I learned a whole lot from you about interviewing! You’ve been super generous in sharing your expertise and experience, and I can’t thank you enough. With your feedback, I was able to get through many rounds of interviews for different applications, and recently accepted one of the internship offers!”
Stephanie H.
Design Intern at Adobe
“You’ll be proud to know that your influence, advice, and partnership enabled me to upskill myself and gain confidence and ask for the leadership position.”
Angela B.
Design Director, Innovation & Sustainability at P&G
Get in touch
Emailstudioemmarose(at)gmail(dot)com
Socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sycks/
Bloghttps://medium.com/@rosie.sycks