Where Design Meets Meaning.
Emmy-Award winning creative work built to inform, inspire, and endure.
Design lives in the physical world. My environmental work transforms spaces into storytelling tools—from national TV sets to immersive galleries and public commemorations. Whether it's a children's show that sparks joy or a Capitol memorial that evokes reflection, each space is designed to connect with its audience on a human level.
Want to transform your space into an immersive experience that inspires and informs?
History Hall - Organization Timeline
Twin Cities PBS | Outside Studios A & B
Overview
Design and lead the creation of a permanent timeline installation chronicling the rich history of Twin Cities PBS (KTCA), from its founding in 1957 to the present day. Needed to be Installed along the main corridor outside Studios A and B. The timeline tells the story of the station's evolution—serving as both a visual landmark and a narrative experience for guests and staff.
Challenges & Opportunities
This project began with an idea I pitched to senior management: instead of handing out printed brochures during studio tours, why not turn the high-traffic hallway into a dynamic visual story of the station’s legacy?
As members of the Creative Services team, we had a deep understanding of both the organization’s history and the development department’s communication needs. The hallway—used on nearly every tour—was the perfect canvas. The timeline highlights significant milestones in 5-year chapters, featuring key content initiatives, recurring themes, branding changes, and logo evolution.
Reaching consensus on what should be included took time. Input was gathered from across departments, and final decisions were made by the President and CEO. The physical space was ideal—not just for its visibility, but also for its scale. At its current pace, the wall could hold another 100 years of history before running out of room.
Approach
Over a six-month period, I led the design process, collaborated with internal stakeholders to refine content, and partnered with a local printer/installer to fabricate and mount the custom panels and typography. The timeline features large logos above and below corresponding years, giving visitors a clear visual sense of the brand’s evolution alongside its programming milestones.
Results
The History Hall timeline was a major success. It has become a meaningful part of station tours, helping visitors and donors connect to the station’s mission. It also serves as a valuable onboarding tool for new employees, offering a clear, accessible view of the organization’s impact over time. And with the timeline now in place, the development team no longer needs to print brochures—the story is quite literally on the wall.
Studio Set Design for Sesame Street Pledge Show
Sesame Street Pledge Show Set – Celebrating 50 Years
Overview
Based entirely on the Sesame Street brand, design a vibrant, large-scale pledge show set and supporting graphics to celebrate Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary. The show was to be recorded in Studio A at Twin Cities PBS—one of the largest production spaces in the region—and distributed nationally to PBS stations to support fundraising efforts.
Challenges & Opportunities
This was a high-profile collaboration with Sesame Workshop, who are understandably protective of their iconic brand. I worked closely with the Executive Producer, Producer, and Sesame Workshop team to ensure every design element—from animated graphics to printed set panels—reflected the joyful spirit of Sesame Street while meeting strict brand standards.
One key challenge was producing oversized set panels that would hold up visually in wide camera shots. We sourced a printer capable of producing foam core panels at nearly 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide to bring the set to life on screen.
Approach
Early design approvals were critical. I front-loaded the design process to allow time for panel production and graphic development, while leaving room for refinements in post-production. All show graphics were optimized for both live studio use and later integration in the edit suite.
Results
The final show was a visual and fundraising success—colorful, playful, and on-brand. Sesame Workshop was pleased with the result, and the program was shared with PBS stations across the country, helping them generate revenue while honoring the legacy of one of the most beloved shows in television history.
Studio Directors reviewing the set before the recording.
Traveling Mobile Display
Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum – 9/11 & Global War on Terror Memorial Exhibition
Overview
Design a powerful, interactive traveling exhibition to honor and educate the public about Minnesota’s role in the September 11 attacks and the Global War on Terror (GWOT). This mobile display was needed by the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum as part of a statewide initiative and continues to tour across Minnesota communities.
Challenges & Opportunities
This was a high-visibility campaign for the State of Minnesota, requiring close coordination with the Museum Director, artisans - steel fabricators, and print vendors. One of the main challenges was engineering a display that was both durable and transportable—capable of maintaining visual integrity through years of travel and repeated installation.
We collaborated with local artisans to fabricate custom-welded steel frames, ensuring the artwork fit precisely. The panels—91 in total—were printed on resilient PVC substrate for longevity. The exhibit also included life-size mannequins and sculptural elements created by a commissioned artist to bring personal stories and emotional resonance to the display.
Approach
Finding the right fabrication and print partners was essential. I led the coordination across all vendors, ensuring every panel matched its corresponding frame and that the final experience would be impactful in any venue. The steel fabricators were experienced in museum-grade work, which helped streamline the structural execution, while our printer handled large-format output with precision.
Results
The exhibition has already been shown in five locations across Minnesota and continues to travel—bringing history to life and educating diverse communities about Minnesota’s deep and ongoing contributions to national service post-9/11. It has been praised for its emotional power, craftsmanship, and educational value—and stands as a moving tribute to those who served and sacrificed.
“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
Vehicle wrap design
Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
Overview
The museum purchased a new Ford passanger van and needed an eye-catching design that reinforces the brand and to serve as a moving billboard.
Challenges & Opportunities
This was a tight turn around but it was an opportunity to work with a trusted vendor. Vomela has been a reliable partner for me for many projects like this, and they always come through. It was a minor challenge but finding the exact schematic for this version of the passanger van took a little time.
Approach
Representing all branches of the military - generally was the goal along with Minnesota History. Once the design was finalized and approved by the Executive Director and other stakeholders, the files were converted to how the printer needed them including original images and working files.
Results
From design approval to delivery was one week. The results turned out to be exceptional. Client was thrilled. I’m very appreciative of my trusted partner at Vomela in Saint Paul!
