Meet Jen Montgomery

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jen Montgomery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jen below.

Jen, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

I have a very active mind. The upside is that I’m highly creative and never short on ideas. The challenge is that I can spiral into overthinking and anxiety. Over the years, I’ve cycled through different routines and tools to manage that intensity, but the one practice I’m most consistent with is meditation. It has become a self-sufficient anchor, something I return to almost every day. I practice a variation of Transcendental Meditation, my own approach based on that foundation. I go through seasons when the connection feels effortless, and others when it feels far away and I’m simply sitting with my eyes closed for 20 minutes. But even when I don’t feel fully connected, I still show up. When I’m in flow with it, everything begins to align. My energy settles, my mind clears, and I notice more creativity, synchronicity, and ease in how I work, communicate, and show up for others. It’s a quiet discipline that changes everything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a book designer and artist with a background in branding, packaging, and illustration. I began my career at DisneyStore and later at Meat and Potatoes, where I worked across a range of brand and packaging projects. About eight years ago, I transitioned to freelance and found my niche in book design.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with clients like W.W. Norton, Top Secret Recipes, Amazon through Uspech, and Sammy Hagar. I specialize in cover and interior design for nonfiction, psychology, and wellness books, and also take on select branding and creative strategy projects for corporate teams and small business owners with vision.

Right now, I’m continuing to take on a range of book and branding projects while making quiet space for personal art. I do not have a clear destination for that yet, but it is something I plan to grow into more fully with time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

VISION
I’ve always had strong vision for myself and for my clients. Being able to see what something could become, even before it exists, has guided me through many chapters of my work. For anyone just starting out, my advice is to hold your vision close. It can take years to develop the mix of hard and soft skills needed to bring it to life.

Do not waste energy trying to convince people without vision to understand yours. That will only lead to doubt. Instead, keep your focus on the work. As your skills grow, your reality will begin to reflect what only you could see at the start. To others, it may look like it happened overnight or was the obvious path all along.

ADAPTABILITY
The creative industry is always changing, and right now the pace of that change is accelerating. One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is the ability to stay ahead of the curve. I tend to think a few steps ahead, sometimes out of worry, but it often means I’m more prepared when shifts inevitably come.

Adaptability doesn’t always mean feeling steady. Sometimes it means allowing yourself to evolve while figuring things out in real time. What helps is staying curious, paying attention to patterns, and letting your values guide your decisions, even when the path is uncertain.

INTUITION
Early in my career, I leaned heavily on skill and precision. Now I know that my intuition is one of my greatest assets. It helps me make aligned decisions, see deeper into client needs, and create work that resonates. My advice is to build practices that keep you connected to yourself, whether that is through meditation, art, movement, meaningful connection with others, or new experiences like travel. The more you understand your own inner landscape, the more clearly you will see what is next.

These three qualities—vision, adaptability, and intuition—have not only shaped my creative path but continue to guide how I navigate change, serve clients, and stay connected to the work I believe in.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is anticipating how AI will change the work I do. Graphic design isn’t just a job for me. It’s a vocation, a source of joy, and something deeply personal. Before my dad passed, I promised him I would follow my dream of becoming an illustrator. I chose graphic design as my path and eventually found my way to a hybrid version that blends design and art. So it’s not just a career. It’s a promise I made to myself and to him.

It’s easy to worry about what the future holds, but the truth is, I’m still fully booked doing work I love. My focus now is to stay present, stay grateful, and enjoy what’s in front of me while remaining open to where this creative path leads next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenmont.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen.montgomery.studio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmo/
• Other: Art Prints: https://jen-montgomery.pixels.com/