RS.
     
Rosie Sycks is a product designer who blends creativity with data and research to tackle complex challenges and drive impact.

About



I’m Emma “Rosie” Sycks (she/her), a San Francisco-based product designer who blends creativity with data and research to tackle complex challenges and drive impact. I believe good design starts with asking questions.

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.





Storyteller
leveraging knowledge of audiences to effectively convey a message in a way that resonates, engages teams and partners, and promotes action

Harmonizer
leaning in to communication, organization, and encouragement with teammates so that can we collaborate effectively


Ideator
finding inspiration in the unexpected, identifying connections, and looking for new ways to solve problems

Systems thinker
taking a holistic approach to solving complex problems by highlighting how parts connect & affect the system as a whole


Experimenter
rapidly generating new hypotheses and ideas to test, leveraging prototyping and research to define direction

Self-starter
demonstrating a bias for action by taking initiative to find new opportunities for improvements, make changes, and close gaps

Experience

IBM UX Designer
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




Bits of Good 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.




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




Procter & Gamble Innovation Design Intern
Jan - April 2021
Upstream innovation and design for sustainability and responsible beauty at P&G’s Beauty Care Innovation Studio




Electrik Skin Productions Design Intern
Jan - April 2020
Branding and web design for corporate and film clients




Spanx UX Design Intern
May - Aug 2019
Design and research for spanx.com





Awards



IBM Culture Catalyst Award  2023
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


Georgia Institute of Technology  Atlanta, GA
Bachelors of Science in Literature, Media, and Communication 
Concentrations in Digital Media and Interaction Design



Observatório Político   Lisboa, PT
Spring Research School Program
Research program in collaboration with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs focusing on Iberian politics and history



Savannah College of Art and Design   Atlanta, GA
Summer seminars - Coursework in Animation and Digital Design




Kind words

“Working with Rosie on the code assistant project has been a gratifying experience. Her leadership and decision-making have been instrumental in shaping our research strategy and deliverables. She leads with confidence, making thoughtful choices and critically reviewing them to ensure the highest quality outcomes. One of her greatest strengths is her openness to feedback and commitment to continuous improvement. She actively seeks input, effectively integrates insights, and remains adaptable while maintaining a clear vision. Her confidence and courage are evident in her willingness to push back when necessary, ensuring that each decision is well-reasoned and aligned with the project goals.”

Derick M.
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.”

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

I am available for consulting projects (discovery research and product design), workshop facilitation, and speaking opportunities. Have an interesting project idea? Let’s chat.

Email
studioemmarose(at)gmail(dot)com


Socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sycks/


Bloghttps://medium.com/@rosie.sycks
 




Let’s stay in touch!


Reach out via email if you’d like to discuss working together.
© Emma Rose Sycks 2025