ROSIE SYCKS
she/her/hersI’m Emma “Rosie” Sycks, a San Francisco-based UX designer and researcher working at the intersection of emerging technologies, 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 book one day.
Background & Education
I bring with me a robust range of experiences—from user research for enterprise 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 earned a Bachelors of Science in Literature, Media, and Communication with a focus on Digital Media + Interaction Design as a Stamps Presidents Scholar. Through my interdisciplinary degree program, I studied everything from product design and critical theory to sustainable cities and international affairs.
I love crafting and sharing stories to communicate ideas, deliver concepts, and engage teammates and partners.
Ideator
Ideation is one of my biggest strengths and favorite parts of the design process! I love thinking about the big picture, brainstorming, and strategizing.
Organized
From collaborating with global teams to supporting multiple products and initiatives at once, organization is a key pillar in how I work
I provide optimism & encouragement to my teammates so we can deliver delightful experiences together.
Strategic
I continually practice the skill of aligning teams around the larger business goals and visions, while also considering user requirements and needs.
Proactive
Rather than passively waiting to be told what to do, I demonstrate a bias for action by taking initiative to find new opportunities for improvements, make change, and close gaps.
Download resume pdf
UX Designer II (2024 - Present)
Product design for Power Virtual Server on the Power Design Team
Generative AI team lead for IBM’s AI Design Guild
UX Researcher & Designer I (2022 - 2024)
Employed human-centered design and research methods to inform the strategy and transform the user experience of Power servers’ core business platform.
UX Design Intern (2021)
User experience design and research for PowerVS on the Power Design Team (previously known at the Cognitive Systems team)
Design Bootcamp Instructor (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.
Innovation Design Intern (Jan - April 2021)
Upstream innovation and design for sustainability and responsible beauty at P&G’s Beauty Care Innovation Studio
Design Intern (Jan - April 2020)
Electrik Skin Productions / Design InternAtlanta, GA Spring 2020
Branding and web design for corporate and film clients
UX Design Intern (May - Aug 2019)
Design and research for spanx.com
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
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
Speaker/presenter: Design Considerations for Generative AI
Design Challenge Coach
2024
Co-facilitator & design coach
2024
The Best Worst Design: The Power of Absurd Ideas in the design process
2023
Event organizer & presenter: IBM Enterprise Design Thinking & the Power of Absurd Ideas
2023
Ivan Allen Alumni Stories: How Rosie Sycks (LMC) Became a Designer at IBM
2022
Event panelist/speaker
2022
Event panelist/speaker
2021
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 communicator.”
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 made 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!”
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.”
Design Director, Innovation & Sustainability at P&G