Where Design Meets Meaning.
Emmy-winning creative work built to inform, inspire, and endure.
I’m Jon Van Amber — a multidisciplinary designer, animator, and storyteller. I help nonprofits and organizations create design that’s human, impactful, and unforgettable.
I’ve led major national campaigns, contributed to Emmy-winning productions, and supported in-house teams with everything from branding to broadcast animation. Much of my work has been with public media and nonprofits — where clarity, humanity, and mission-driven design matter most — but my approach adapts to any setting where thoughtful design can make an impact.
Whether you need a hands-on creative lead or an experienced collaborator who can plug into your existing team, I bring insight, vision, and care to every project.
software expertise……. Adobe, Maya, etc
Portfolio
Environment
TV studios, KEYC, WCCO building hallways and spaces, museums, TPT Hallway, Sesame Street pledge, other pledge shows,
Motion + TV
2D and 3D, Suze Orman, Brains are Built. Make TV, Aurora, Citizen Kane, Depresion out of the Shadows, TPT NOW, Minnesota Remembers Vietnam promo
Single, Multipage, Product Design, PBS Kids, REVIVE, DAV, MMVM Allies, RWI, Hennepin County. Booklet, Posters, Capitol Campaigns, (TPT, MMVM) GWOT book
Digital
Websites + Social, Nature’s Bounty, Nestle, MMVM website, Ken Burns endorsement on facebook
Clients: Nature’s Bounty, Nestle, City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, City of Minnetonka, KEYC-TV, WCCO-TV, Twin Cities PBS, CentralCast, Suze Orman, Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, DAV MN (Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota) Whaly Boats USA, Shapiro Medical Group, Explore Minnesota Golf, Schwans, DigiKey, AccuWeather, St. Mary’s University
Endorsements + Examples
“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 a fantastic designer, 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, where Jon served as our graphic designer and carefully crafted our powerful key image while being sensitive to the topic. As an art designer, Jon works effortlessly under pressure, handles criticism well, and strives to enhance his designing skill set.
Leya Hale, Twin Cities PBS Producer, Dakota and Diné Nations”
“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
“They don't get much better than Jon. His keen eye for detail, mixed with incredible knowledge and innate creativity makes him golden! And he's super nice...ALL the time!”
Rebecca Kolls, TV personality, producer, gardening expert, meteorologist
“Jon is about the closest thing you'll find to a creative genius. He can turn any concept into a beautiful visual representation. His work is always infused with an inventive twist that only his gifted mind could have come up with. I'd recommend Jon for any graphic project: print, video, web--you'll look at what he's created and be amazed.”
Paul Moore, Paul Moore Communications
“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
“His award-winning creative work for our PBS content features powerful visual messaging, humanity, and heart. 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, the art director is also a leader and mentor to emerging staff as well as cultural and community collaborators.”
Daniel Pierce Bergin, Executive Producer, Twin Cities PBS
Our
brand vision
At the forefront of creative design, we challenge the conventional, merging artistry with cutting-edge technology to transform visions into reality. Our passion for innovation drives us to redefine the boundaries of what design can achieve.
Contact Us
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