Creative Director · Partner · Managing Partner
Jessie challenges the idea of imposter syndrome entirely, arguing that it's often something placed on people from the outside rather than something we truly feel within ourselves.
She shares what she's tired of seeing in the creative world right now, including the obsession with speed and the pressure to react instantly to everything.
Design is never neutral and every decision we make as creatives affects the world around us.
Our proximity to power as designers is so close. We can't pretend we aren't designing outcomes.
Leadership isn't about being right. It's about holding the weight.
Forget perfect. It's a trap. Just make sure you're all in and doing it your way.
Episode 200 of Creative Boom’s podcast ‘The Spark’ features Jessie McGuire of ThoughtMatter discussing the importance of slowing down in creativity, rejecting the myth of imposter syndrome, and finding balance away from social media. The conversation blends professional insight with personal reflections, offering a candid and inspiring look at creative life.
Creative Boom’s podcast episode features Jessie McGuire, partner at New York studio Thought Matter, in conversation with host Katy Cowan. Jessie reflects on her decade-long journey at the studio, its experimental ethos, and the belief that design carries social responsibility. The discussion explores imagination as a cultural force, the impact of political and social events on creative practice, and the importance of conviction and collaboration in meaningful design work.
Creative Boom announces the return of its podcast for Season 11, hosted by founder Katy Cowan and supported by Adobe. The season explores how creatives remain human amid rapid technological and cultural change, featuring guests such as Nicki Sprinz, Aporva Baxi, Liz Seabrook, and Jessie McGuire. Through personal stories and reflections, the series highlights resilience, authenticity, and the enduring value of human creativity.
In this reflective essay for Creative Boom’s 'In Her Own Words' series, Jessie McGuire, managing partner at Thought Matter, explores the unseen emotional and social challenges of leadership as a woman in the creative industry. She discusses the contradictions of being both nurturing and decisive, the pressures of likability, and her desire to build a more sustainable and authentic model of leadership for women. The piece offers a candid look at the personal cost and quiet strength behind creative leadership.