Amy Osburn
Amy Osburn
Creative Director
Los Angeles, CA
www.amyosburn.com
instagram @amyosburn
linkedin
pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“ I work with brands to perfect their visual strategy. ”
I am a Creative Director based in Los Angeles, but working as a local in SF and NYC.Whether that be through photo/video shoot concepting and art direction, crafting a visual language and brand story, creating branded content for social media, elevating design, trend research, project management, or big picture campaign planning and execution, I am there for it!
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I am a little unique in that I don’t come from a graphic design background, but rather through photo direction and writing. Though design is part of my skill set, the major parts of my aesthetic and history come through photography. This tends to allow me to bring a fresh outlook to projects and give me a major leg up with photo or video driven projects -- it’s in my DNA.
Photo by Jeff Vallée
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
It is hard to make that blanket statement. But if there is one thing that has come to my attention is the rush to create, put a stamp on it, view it, and forget about it. I think this really forces creatives into reactionary positions to create copycat or shallow work. I completely understand (believe me!) the need to be agile and quick and the new shelf life of imagery, but I think the way to combat this shallowness is to know the history of your craft. You don’t have to have a degree in it, but study it, be curious about it and add that knowledge to your toolbox-- it’s essential to creating work that feels meaningful, insightful and fresh.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now I’m working with a few clients on their social media, my screenplay and a few branding proposals for various clients both old and new -- so fingers crossed for busy a August and September!
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
It’s funny because because my personal taste does not always match my visual aesthetic in my work. I’m a Sagitarrius and tend to believe that more is more in my personal life and tastes. My visual aesthetic tends to be more simple, graphic and layered. I think where they do meet common ground is that it always has to be evocative. There always has to be some emotion at play, something that unfolds.
A few examples:
For Forever Young Magazine (with Colette DeBarros)
For Forever Young Magazine (with Jeff Vallee)
For end Paper Magazine (with Kayla Varley)
For Nasty magazine (With Tiger Tiger)
Photo by Colette De Barros
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Most of my work right now is in fashion branding, which I love. I would love to focus on building out more experiential campaigns that involve several mediums and touchpoints.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Frustrating is a strong word. I think sometimes I wish there were a simple way to help prospective clients envision the multiple ways they can use me-- the multiple ways they need me! Would it fit on a t-shirt?
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I might hire someone younger than myself from a different life path and have them school me in their world and what they think I need to know.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Don’t be afraid to learn about the money side of things.
Photo by Jeaneen Lund
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I’m fascinated with trend research: cultural, technology, fashion -- doesn’t matter. I want to know it before others see it coming. It would be an expert from one these fields.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am open to all. I work with small brands and agencies, start-ups, to mega corporations -- so there is never a type of project that I limit myself to -- I thrive on variety.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
The best clients are the ones who believe in you and embrace your talent. I don’t have an ideal, every job and relationship is different.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I really do try to be flexible because the projects are so varied. Happy to answer this to prospective clients via email.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I can always be reached via email, linkedin or DM on IG … Project basics are totally fine.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Forging into uncharted territory. Staring at people and inventing their life story in my head. Coffee.
This member profile was originally published in July 2017.