Amanda Voss
Amanda Voss
Creative Director / UX Designer / Energy Healing + Ceremony Designer
Echo Park, CA
www.abovebelow.studio
instagram @wearestrangematter
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I create and envision elegant digital experiences for sustainable fashion, beauty, and wellness clients, as well as curate intentional, experiential, and ceremonial events drawing on my experience as an energy healer, intuitive, and tarot reader.”
I guide others through releasing creative blocks and empower them to manifest the highest and best version of themselves (or their brand).
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
It has been quite the journey. I have worked in the digital creative space since i first arrived in San Francisco in 2000 - back when startups were called dotcoms! There was an early focus in my career in e-commerce, within fashion and beauty that took me from the Bay Area, Vienna, Austria, Frankfurt, Germany, back to SF and Brooklyn. I’m happily back in LA now where I’ve proud to have recently collaborated with brands in the sustainable fashion, lifestyle, wellness and nutrition space. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, I initiated deep, esoteric self-study while still in New York in 2014. Like so many before me, the portal opened during a 200-hour yoga teacher training, which resulted in further training in floral essences and Reiki at Maha Rose in Greenpoint. Since i arrived in Echo Park, I’ve studied with and been formally initiated into intuitive, creative, tarot practices rooted in a Western Mystery Tradition.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
As “slashies”, sometimes we think we can do it all. For those of us leading creative or teams we need to rely more on collaborations and ask for help when we can get it. As a Capricorn, I’m constantly learning how to be “OK” with being supported by my entire team. No one can do everything!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Providing digital creative direction + UX to The Raw Juicery, a trailblazing, transparent and socially conscious cold-pressed juice company here in DTLA. Creating and developing Squarespace websites for healers/intuitives wanting to take their digital presence to the next level. I currently offer curated experiences through the Airbnb platform where I provide guidance on releasing creative blocks, mediation, reiki and the tarot.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Harriet & the Star. Elevated, psychedelic, and absolutely magical. The epitome of digital experiences for LA-based healers rooted in the esoteric.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Social media photography and how to curate a feed that almost feels so natural - its an afterthought.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Having enough time to be everything for everyone! The biggest challenge I’m always facing is how to invest more time in my own self-care so i can be the most thriving, efficient, creative force for those that choose to work with me.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Social media! Someone that has an innate understanding of those natural, organic moments that can immediately create resonance with your brand. Someone that understands me – more than me!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Can I be completely honest? I think the secret to life is embedded in the movie “Reality Bites”. I’m completely serious! When Troy says to Leilana “All you have to be by the time you're 23 is yourself”. Its so poetic and future-forward, yet so distilled that this wisdom could reside within anyone of us. If we all took a moment and actually listened to this, we wouldn’t need anything else. 90s Ethan Hawke - am I right??
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
When can I know that I know enough to teach and guide others that look to me for support?
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Digital creative and art direction, event curation and design, and user experience within fashion and sustainability. Supporting independent creatives in the wellness, healing and entertainment space is an area of focus. We love LA brands but willing to talk to anyone that shares my vision.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Lets co-create your creative vision together. What are your strengths? Be very clear on how I can support you, and what your ideal execution might ‘look’ like.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
$75-$100/hour with flexibility. At the end of the day, my intention is to help you realize, concept and execute your creative project or event from conception to completion. I never want budget to be a limitation, and I will make any adjustments necessary to ensure your project is fully realized in a way that supports everyone involved. If your intention is to elevate and move humankind forward, get in touch no matter what - we’ll make it work!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
First and foremost, there is nothing more important than your creative vision. Have clarity on what your ideal collaboration looks like – execution, time, and budget. Everything else is secondary.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
My home ceramic studio. No computers please.
This member profile was originally published in January 2018.