Creative Director | Institutional Brand & Campaign Strategy

As a Creative Director, I partner with executive leadership to build scalable brand systems and integrated campaigns that strengthen institutional clarity, trust, and measurable growth.

I’m a creative director and strategist who believes design should do more than look good — it should mean something.

For more than three decades I’ve worked with mission-driven organizations, broadcasters, nonprofits, and cultural institutions to turn complex ideas into clear, engaging experiences. From digital platforms and brand systems to campaigns and physical environments, my focus is always the same: helping organizations communicate with clarity, purpose, and impact.

I enjoy working closely with leadership teams and creative partners, moving easily between strategy and execution. Some days that means shaping big-picture direction; other days it means rolling up my sleeves and working directly in the craft. I’m comfortable moving between altitudes — from broad institutional strategy to the details that make creative work truly effective.

The best projects are collaborative — built on trust, curiosity, and a shared commitment to doing meaningful work.

Jon is a rare talent who is not only incredibly creative, he is also incredibly easy to work with. He has fantastic instincts and ideas. His work on the Broadcast Wars television documentary that I produced, brought it to the next level! I couldn’t have been happier with the results.

Cathy Wurzer, MPR News Host, Host of Almanac on TPT, Founder of the “End in Mind Project”

Endorsements

★★★★★
Jon’s CV is a breathtaking range of work that include multicultural designs for a wide range of content and form from the dramatic humanizing key art for Bring Her Home to the Afrocentric playfulness in the kids’ PSA campaign Brains Are Built. In addition to his own considerable creative output, he is also a leader and mentor to emerging staff as well as cultural and community collaborators.
Daniel Pierce Bergin, Executive Producer, Twin Cities PBS
★★★★★
Jon has been a great for our pledge team for many years helping us raise millions of dollars. His talent really shined on the latest Suze Orman National Pledge event. The show was the highest revenue producing pledge program in PBS's history.
David Preston, Vice President, Membership at Twin Cities PBS
★★★★★
Jon is a rare talent who is not only incredibly creative, he is also incredibly easy to work with. He has fantastic instincts and ideas. His work on the Broadcast Wars television documentary that I produced, brought it to the next level! I couldn’t have been happier with the results.
Cathy Wurzer, MPR News Host, Host of Almanac on TPT, Founder of the End in Mind Project
★★★★★
Jon came up with a chilling and spectacular signature image for the film Slavery by Another Name, that combined elements and imagery in a way I could never have imagined. Incredibly talented guy.
Douglas Blackmon, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author / Filmmaker / Journalist, Professor of Practice at Georgia State University
★★★★★
Jon Van Amber is fantastic, very thoughtful, empathetic, and a beloved colleague at Twin Cities PBS. We have worked together on several projects over the last decade, with the Bring Her Home documentary being our most recent collaboration. Bring Her Home is a documentary that highlights the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic. Jon carefully crafted our powerful key image while being sensitive to the topic. Jon works effortlessly under pressure, handles criticism well, and strives to enhance his skill sets.
Leya Hale, Twin Cities PBS Producer, Dakota and Diné Nations
★★★★★
Symbols convey much about who we are and what we value. For years, Jon Van Amber has been a thoughtful and innovative designer for the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley. Together, we have worked hard to honor the state’s 304,000 veterans and all who have served since statehood. On September 11, 2021, Jon’s superb design work supported the state’s 20th Anniversary Remembrance (from the steps of our State Capitol) of the 9/11 attacks. Specifically, in the interstitial videos used between the dignitaries speaking that morning and the Post-9/11 traveling exhibition on display in the Cedar Street Armory. In my estimation, what makes Jon such an exceptional designer is his capacity to listen. He seeks to understand long before he puts pen to paper. Jon is a joy to work with and a state servant.
Randal Dietrich, Executive Director, Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley
★★★★★
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jon on different projects for many years, and he consistently delivers excellent results. What stands out most is the personalized 1:1 attention he provides. His live, collaborative style makes it easy to shape ideas together in real time, which is invaluable when my own direction is sometimes hard to capture over email. Jon’s eye for detail is sharp, his design instincts are spot-on, and he’s quick to solve the inevitable challenges that arise when building or refining a website. Beyond his technical skill and professionalism, Jon is a kind, authentic human being who truly cares about the success of your product. He goes above and beyond, working tirelessly to get things just right. If you’re looking for a designer who combines talent, reliability, and genuine partnership, I highly recommend Jon.
Rebecca at WhalyBoatsUSA.com
★★★★★
SnowGlobe Public Relations is incredibly grateful for the design expertise Jon Von Amber brought to the DAV of Minnesota Annual Report. His ability to translate complex content into a visually compelling and accessible publication was nothing short of outstanding. The Centennial issue, in particular, captured both the significance of our 100-year history and the forward momentum of our mission. This project carried special meaning for Jon, as his own father is a member of DAV. That personal connection was evident in the care, creativity, and thoughtfulness he poured into every page. The result is more than just a report—it is a lasting tribute that honors our past, reflects the values of our members, and inspires our future.
Anna Long, SnowGlobe Public Relations
★★★★★
With Jon’s expertise, we successfully integrated content from an extensive multicultural and multilingual campaign. He gathered input directly from business operators and transformed it into a highly visual flip book guide and accompanying poster set for public health emergencies. Jon's ingenuity was evident not only in the accessible design—crafted to communicate essential information across language barriers—but also in the durable, weather-resistant materials, making the guide suitable for challenging emergency environments. This guide was so effective that it was adopted by the State of Minnesota and later used in national disaster preparedness efforts. Additionally, Jon created a food protection self-audit guide, which was translated into 15 languages to serve a wide range of users. Beyond his artistic talents, Jon is also a skilled writer and communicator. His success is rooted in his deep commitment to understanding both his clients and their audiences. I give Jon my highest endorsement as a professional of exceptional integrity, creativity, and authenticity.
Tim Jenkins, Environmental Supervisor for the City of Minneapolis
★★★★★
Jon brought great vision and shimmering beauty to the artwork for Depression: Out of the Shadows. He easily blends organic images with his own unique infusion of creativity and symbolism. Jon is delightful to work with and brings great synergy to a project.
Larkin McPhee, Peabody and Emmy award-winning director, producer and writer of documentary films

Contact

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I’ll be in touch shortly. You are always welcome to give me a call or text me at 612.308.9898.