Making a career out of a hobby isn’t a bad way to make a living and that’s exactly what Jacob Prilucik did when he came to work for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in the South Central Region.

“Graphics was more of a hobby through high school and most of college. I never realized I could make a career out of it,” said Prilucik. “I took a lot of college classes before deciding on graphic design, but what I learned in my English and even my chemistry classes has helped me in my job at WSDOT.”

As a Transportation Planning Specialist 2, Prilucik works closely with WSDOT staff across the region and statewide, researching issues and projects as part of the process of developing and designing graphic products. Prilucik uses a variety of software tools including ArcGIS, Microstation, and many Adobe programs, to create publications, displays, and images that are used to educate the public, key stakeholders, and the legislature.

You heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Working with the communications team, Prilucik’s graphic depictions help to de-mystify complex engineering solutions or transportation issues. He has worked the past two years in the South Central Public Outreach office.

“I’m responsible for creating and designing folios, posters, and design visualizations that WSDOT can take to events or post on the web to explain to the public what we are doing,” Prilucik said.

The creative juices don’t flow just at work; Prilucik continues to design for local businesses in the Yakima Valley.

“I love what I do whether I’m at work or freelancing,” said Prilucik. “It never gets boring. I’m either talking with engineers about project issues, or laying out a catalog for custom motorcycles.”

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