Hi, I’m Casey Burns
I’m a creative idea machine who can design better than your roommate and write three campaign spots before lunch.
Graduating from UNC by the skin of my teeth, journalism degree and Morehead Scholar status magically intact, I quit my job at Pepper’s Pizza to become the first ever full-time in-house art director for Frank Heath's storied Cat's Cradle music venue in Carrboro, NC.
At some point, my poster art for the club made the unexpected leap from telephone poles and record store windows to coffee table books and museum walls, in nine languages across three continents.
I moved to Portland, OR, and my art in those books attracted art directors from my dream clients. In rapid succession, cultural giants like Nike, The New York Times, Dr. Martens, Vans, Sonic Youth and Modest Mouse hired me for high-profile projects.
My proprietary blend of hand lettering, traditional illustration, and bold blocks of color infiltrated apparel graphics for the world’s biggest rock bands, toy designs for niche collectors, book covers for the young adult market, and patch designs for my nephew’s Boy Scout troop.
As I continued growing as a creative, my focus drifted away from illustration to bigger ideas that were more broadly conceptual. Advertising agencies seduced me with their appreciation of ideas that can work not just on film or on paper, but in any place and by any means.
So I flipped the coffee table and moved to New York City and became an advertising art director. And I love what I do.
Now New York City ad agencies hire me for assignments that range from big brand ideas for content and experiences all the way down to those lonely but crucial banner resizes.
Places like Substack hire me to work directly with their top writers (see Patti Smith) to develop the look of their public-facing creative outlets.
I particularly thrive on the conceptual side of ad agency work, and partnering with a great copywriter makes it all even more fun – it’s like fishing with a friend, except you catch all of the fish, and you save the beer until it’s quitting time.
I love the process of creation far more than any final deliverable. But a solid finished piece really does look great up on the shelf next to your other favorite things, doesn’t it?
Please reach out if you’d like to work together.
Email: casey@caseyburns.com
