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Artistic, computer wiz, genius, excitable, and work-a-holic

Those are the five traits I gave myself when playing The Sims™. I have a genuine love for technology, and I want to create something someday that can revolutionize the world for the better. Maybe your startup, small business, or nonprofit organization is just that! So let’s get you rocking with a new web design in this digital space!

I have a Bachelor Degree of Science and am certified in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a decade of experience in the tech industry from software engineering to digital marketing.

Tessa Watkins (they/them) present in this photo as a white person with long red hair, green eyes, and a pink floral blouse.
Tessa Watkins (they/them), Founder of AuRise Creative. Photo by Flying Cork, 2016.
Contact Tessa

I make stuff for the internet

I describe my work as “making stuff for the internet” because everything I do gets hosted online, whether it be a public-facing website, a proprietary web application on a private network, an image for your Facebook page, or some sweet interactive learning game to engage students. I am primarily a web developer, but with my experiences at digital advertising agencies, owning my own small business, and married to someone with a Ph.D who works as a scientist at a startup, I know a little something about something. So here I am, offering up my knowledge to help you succeed too.

I have familiarity in a lot of places, and I’m not afraid to explore outside my comfort zone. In fact, I thrive out there. If you have a unique request and just not sure if it’s possible, contact me because those are one of my favorite types of projects! I’m also available to just consult on these topics if you’re more of a do-it-yourself kind of person looking to save money because I understand that you’re a small business too.

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Serving the Greater Good

When you support AuRise Creative, you’re supporting my advocacy in areas of neurodiversity, disability, human rights, and social justice for marginalized communities. I’m an autistic adult that can mask as neurotypical, I’m a queer and trans person that can pass as cishet, and I have white privilege—so I’m using these to my advantage to educate and stand up for what is right.

Neurodiversity & Disability

A close-up of Tessa standing at a podium and talking into a microphone.
Tessa gave a talk titled, “Unmasking Autism” at Dan Miller’s 9th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit.

Queer & Gender Diversity

A photo of Tessa sitting in a chair at the Lebo Pride Celebration 2022 wearing a pink Lebo Pride T-shirt and their noise-cancelling headphones around their neck
Tessa volunteered at the inaugural Lebo Pride Celebration, an event celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

Black Lives Matter

Tessa standing on the sidewalk with other protestors wearing ear defenders and holding a sign that reads, "Black Lives Matter | Stand Together" depicting a Pittsburgh bridge.
Tessa participated in a Voter’s Decide rally supporting democracy with fellow volunteers of M.O.R.E.

As a business in the United States of America (U.S.A), I maintain the legal and constitutional right to deny services to any individual, organization, or business if there is a potential threat to the health or safety of myself or clients.