Julianna Rodríguez
Web Designer / UX/UI Designer / Visual Designer
New York, NY
www.juliannarodriguez.design
twitter @julsrodd
linkedin @juliannarodriguezdolsen
Q What do you do?
“I specialize in UX/UI Design, web design and visual design, and have 7+ years experience collaborating with cross-functional remote teams in Puerto Rico and NYC. ”
In addition to my design expertise, I have a particular interest in working with women-owned businesses, mission-driven brands, and startups. I find it rewarding to help these types of businesses develop their brand identity and digital presence, and I'm always excited to take on new challenges in this space.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
My journey began as a social media manager in Puerto Rico (where I am from), where I created and managed social media strategies, including both organic and paid campaigns. I also handled content creation, community management, and editorial calendars. While working in this role, I noticed that many clients struggled to connect their social media efforts with their overall digital presence. This piqued my interest in web design. When I moved to NYC, I started learning web design on my own and asked friends if I could build websites for them using Squarespace. At the same time, I took on a job that allowed me to lead web design and development projects, where I also learned about SEO strategies and digital marketing campaigns. My curiosity and desire to improve led me to take visual design courses and complete a year-long bootcamp in Product Design. Now, I use all these experiences to deliver user-friendly designs for both web and mobile platforms.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out in my field because I’m always learning and adapting. When I meet a client, I really try to understand their challenges, needs, and goals—not just from a design perspective, but for their whole business. I enjoy offering advice on how they can improve their overall digital presence, not just their design. This holistic approach helps me provide more valuable and effective solutions.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’ve been focused on rethinking my offerings as a freelancer, where I can provide more value and what offerings I could have that provide passive income. Figuring these out as I go.
Q What’s your style?
My style can vary depending on my mood but overall I enjoy things that are crisp, simple yet bold. I really enjoy Swiss style design and the way grids are used in this style. A great example is movies by Almodovar, french fashion, I really enjoy that effortlessly cool look. I don’t think that there’s a current project that reflects that but I hope to get there soon!
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I wish I could do more visual design and art direction within brand identity and strategy. I’d love to work more with fashion and sustainable brands on e-commerce projects.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Not finding projects where I can showcase my design POV. The status of the job market right now, it’s been strange and unsteady so navigating these murky times has been a challenge yet I’ve survived!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Manage finances and client outreach, my squiggly brain can only do so much at this time :/
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Learn about finance and charge more! When I started freelancing I was very young and naive. I knew nothing about money and salary negotiating so I just went with what was available to me and I made a lot of mistakes. Now I know better but it would have saved me a lot of stress.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to scale my business and offerings, how to find resources to grow my business and how can I invest and support women owned businesses.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking for projects focused on web or mobile design with women owned businesses, emerging and mission driven brands and individuals that are contributing to innovation and solving current social challenges
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I’d love to work with a women owned company on an ecommerce websites, I’d also love to work on apps that help solve current social challenges especially related to women, reproductive rights and bridging the pay gap.
Q What is your rate?
It’s pretty broad but websites typically start at $1.5k, branding can start at $800 but is very dependent on the complexity of the project. I can typically find creative solutions to fit a client's budget. I am always happy to help and encourage anyone to reach out.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Just let me know what you need! If I don’t have the solution I can help you figure it out. You can fill out this form and include as much info as possible services needed, budget, timeline, etc.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Luiny — A dear friend and amazing jewelry designer ig: @luiny
Mariagustina — Founder of @agustina.slowstudio making made to order clothing that is functional, colorful and reversible
Manu Valencia — Designer and ACD, doing really cool things with web3
Luis Guevara — My favorite copywriter and music enthusiast
Jesse Echevarria — Traveling and documenting their experiences, also doing great brand design
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Consuming art as much as possible!
This member profile was originally published in June 2024, Updated September 2024.