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Hello
I’m Emma “Rosie” Sycks, a San Francisco-based UX Designer and Researcher working at the intersection of technology, business, and design. I leverage my passion for storytelling with my technical knowledge of human-centered design and research to advocate for my users. At IBM, I split my time between UX research and interaction design for the Power Design Team.

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 fiction book one day.


Background & Education
I bring with me a robust range of experiences—from user research for enterpirse IT products to design for both physical and digital consumer-facing products. My work experiences span the Information Technology, E-commerce, film & media, non-profit and education, and consumer goods industries.

I am a graduate of The Georgia Institute of Technology where I was a Stamps Presidents Scholar and earned my Bachelors of Science in Literature, Media, and Communication with a focus on Digital Media + Interaction Design. Through my interdisciplinary degree program, I have been able to study everything from industrial design and critical theory to sustainable cities and international affairs.


Key traits

Storytelling

I love crafting and sharing stories to communicate ideas, deliver concepts, and engage teammates and partners.



Ideation

Ideation is one of my biggest strengths and favorite parts of the design process! I love thinking about the big picture, brainstorming, and strategizing.



Optimism + Delight

I provide optimism & encouragement to my teammates so we can deliver delightful experiences together.
Stephanie H., Design Intern at Adob

Strategy

I continually practice the skill of aligning teams around the larger business goals and visions, while also considering user requirements and needs.



Organization

From collaborating with global teams to supporting multiple products and initiatves at once, organization is a key pillar in how I work.



Initiative

Rather than passively waiting to be told what to do, I take initiative to make change and close gaps.





Experience

IBM San Francisco, CA
UX Designer + Researcher (2024 - Present)
Interaction design & research for the Power Virtual Server on the Power Design Team

Junior UX Researcher & Designer (Aug 2022 - 2024)
Used human-centered design and research methods to inform the strategy and transform the user experience of IBM’s Power core business platform

UX Design Intern IBM | May - Aug 2021
User experience design and research for PowerVS on the Power Design Team (previously known at the Cognitive Systems team)


Bits of Good/Hack4Impact
Design Bootcamp Instructor (2021 - 2022)
Leading a 12-week bootcamp covering the fundamentals of product design and research for the non-profit, Bits of Good, a Hack4Impact chapter.

Procter & Gamble Cincinnati, OH
Innovation Design Intern (Jan - May 2021)
Upstream innovation and design for sustainability and responsible beauty at P&G’s Beauty Care Innovation Studio

Electrik Skin Productions Atlanta, GA
Design Intern (Jan - May 2020)
Branding and web design for corporate and film clients

Spanx Atlanta, GA
UX Design Intern (May - Aug 2019)
Design and research for spanx.com




Awards

2023 Culture Catalyst Award
Recognized for championing a client experience-led, outcome-driven approach to transforming IBM offerings.

2023 Client and Partner Success Award Recipient
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 Scholarship Recipient Georgia Tech | 2017 - Present Awarded the Stamps Presidents Scholarship, a four-year, full-ride scholarship to attend Georgia Tech.

Gold Scholarship Recipient SCAD Summer Seminars SCAD Atlanta | June 2015








Speaking & facilitating

IBM i Large User Group | Co-facilitator & design coach  Feb 2024

Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering | Design Challenge Coach  Jan 2024

IBM Design x SF Design Week: The Best ‘Worst Design’ Jam | Event organizer June 2023

San Francisco Design Week | Presenter: IBM Enterprise Design Thinking & the Power of Absurd Ideas  June 2023

GT Design Club | Panelist: Design Intern Panel February 2022

Bits of Good | Panelist: Design Intern Panel September 2021



Kind words ✨

“You have become a key contributor to our team culture by bringing new ideas and insights. Your courage to ask clarifying questions has helped our entire team grow. You are open to feedback and embrace every interaction with posititivity. Your communication style is clear, and your demeanor is upbeat and contagious.”
Design Lead 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 communicaor.”
UX Research Lead at IBM



“Thank you for all you’ve done to keep our Learning Transformation project moving forward this year. I’m not sure we would have mae it to an actual MVP plan if it wasn’t for your thoughtful and diligent work and guidance.”
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



“I really appreciate how you have just stepped right in and become instantly so productive—it’s like you have been here for a long time already! We are thrilled with your technical skills, your professionalism, and your tenaciousness and truly enjoying your fun personality.”
Julie J., Design Manager at IBM






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Thank you for viewing✨


Let’s stay in touch—please reach out via email if you’d like to discuss working together. I’m also open to new friends, music recommendations, and coffee chats!


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© EMMA ROSE SYCKS 2022