Julie Kennedy - Reinvention

Key Points

• Julie Kennedy is Associate Director of Product Designer at PokerStars, with a career spanning sculpture, ceramics, Yellow Pages, Amazon, and gaming.
• She was the first UK designer employed by Amazon (2000–2007), a pivotal career moment.
• Her design philosophy blends functionality and beauty, influenced by her sculpture and ceramics background and childhood visits to the V&A Museum.
• She values transferable design skills and an attitude of embracing technological change rather than fearing it.
• Balancing motherhood with a design career has been both challenging and central to her identity.
• The conversation draws parallels between the historical shift from manual to digital design and the current AI-driven transformation of creative tools.
• Her advice to designers facing technological disruption: embrace it, stay open to learning, and recognize that core design principles endure.

Summary

In this episode of *Awaiting Approval*, host Adam Jennings speaks with Julie Kennedy, Associate Director of Product Designer at PokerStars, about her multifaceted career journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. The conversation opens with a warm, personal tone as Julie describes her ideal meeting place—the Gamble Cafe at the V&A Museum in London—chosen for its historical significance and her deep childhood connection to the museum, where her grandfather served as chief warder. These early experiences wandering the galleries with him likely influenced her later studies in sculpture and ceramics, underscoring how formative relationships and environments shape creative paths.

Julie traces her career from a fine art sculpture degree at Cheltenham, through early jobs in window dressing at Topshop and a brief stint in a tax office, to a twelve-year tenure at Yellow Pages. There, she began as a junior artist working with drawing boards, parallel motion tools, cow gum, and rotary pens—a far cry from today's digital workflows. She witnessed and adapted to the transition from manual design to computer-based work, an experience she now sees as a parallel to the current AI-driven transformation of creative tools. She recalls the mixed emotions in her team during that shift—excitement among younger designers and anxiety among older ones—but credits strong training and coaching support for helping most people successfully transition.

Her move to Amazon in 2000, where she became the first UK designer employed by the company, marked another pivotal moment. She stayed until 2007, witnessing Amazon's evolution from near dot-com bust to global success. This experience, combined with her later role at PokerStars, illustrates her adaptability and willingness to embrace new industries and technologies.

A recurring theme is the importance of transferable skills. Julie emphasizes that core design principles—functionality, beauty, problem-solving—remain constant regardless of the tools or industry. She advises designers facing today's rapid technological change, particularly AI, to embrace rather than resist it, to stay curious, and to remain open to continuous learning. She acknowledges the fear many creatives feel but insists that adaptability and a willingness to try new things are essential for longevity in the field.

Throughout the episode, Julie's personal identity as a mother is also highlighted. She shares a coaster made by her daughter nearly eighteen years ago, which sits on her desk as a daily reminder that, regardless of career achievements, being a mum has always been a central part of who she is. She speaks candidly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with a design career, noting that being a woman in design "isn't the easiest gig."

The conversation also touches on the emotional and functional aspects of design, with Julie noting that a simple coaster—eliciting emotion while serving a purpose—perfectly encapsulates what designers strive to achieve. Her love for ceramics, particularly the V&A's 20th-century collection, reinforces her belief that the best design is both beautiful and functional.

Overall, the episode offers a rich, honest reflection on creativity, resilience, and the human side of leadership. Julie's journey demonstrates that embracing change, valuing relationships, and staying true to one's core skills and identity can guide a fulfilling and impactful career. Her story serves as both inspiration and practical advice for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of creative work.