Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia.
Hi Amelia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by the way design shapes the way people think, behave, and connect with the world. That curiosity led me into graphic design more than a decade ago, but I quickly realized I was just as interested in the thinking behind the work as I was in the work itself. I wanted to understand why certain brands resonate, how organizations create meaning, and how design can influence systems and not just aesthetics.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve built a career that blends brand strategy, design, writing, and education. I’ve worked with organizations ranging from startups to global companies, helping them clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how to express that consistently across every touchpoint. Along the way, I’ve also become a Senior Staff Writer at PRINT Magazine, where I explore the evolving role of branding, design, and culture through editorial storytelling.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my career has been joining the School of Visual Arts’ Masters in Branding program. Today, I serve as Director of Operations, where I help shape the experience for students, faculty, alumni, and prospective applicants while supporting one of the world’s leading graduate programs in branding. It’s a role that combines strategy, communication, operations, and community building, bringing together many of the disciplines I’ve developed throughout my career.
Outside of my day-to-day work, I’m passionate about giving back to the design community. I serve on the Board of Directors for Canada’s Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and AIGA New York, mentor emerging creatives, and regularly speak and write about branding, strategic design, and the future of the profession. I believe the strongest creative communities are built through generosity and shared knowledge.
Looking back, my career hasn’t followed a perfectly linear path, and I’m grateful for that. Every role — from designer to strategist, writer, educator, and operator — has added another perspective to how I approach branding. Today, I’m most excited by work that helps people see the bigger picture: building brands that are not only memorable, but meaningful, responsible, sustainable, and designed to create lasting impact.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. I don’t believe that the most meaningful careers are built on smooth roads.
Like many creatives, I’ve wrestled with imposter syndrome and self-doubt throughout my career. When you’re surrounded by incredibly talented people, it’s easy to wonder whether you belong. Living and working in New York City has only amplified that feeling at times. The city is filled with some of the most ambitious, creative minds in the world, and it constantly challenges you to raise your own standards.
One of the biggest turning points in my career was moving from a small town in Canada to New York five years ago. It was a complete shift in pace, expectations, and opportunity, on top of the geographical and logistical challenges that come with moving countries. I had to rebuild my professional network, adapt to a new culture, and prove myself in one of the most competitive creative markets in the world. That transition demanded a great deal of resilience, persistence, and a willingness to be uncomfortable.
I’ve also learned that careers rarely follow a straight line. Some of the opportunities that have shaped me most came after setbacks, difficult decisions, or moments when I questioned my own abilities. Looking back, those experiences taught me that confidence isn’t something you have before you take the leap. It requires courage to continue to show up, even when you’re unsure of yourself.
Today, I still experience moments of doubt, but I’ve learned not to see them as signs that I don’t belong. Instead, I see them as evidence that I’m continuing to grow.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding is one of the world’s leading graduate programs dedicated to branding as both a creative discipline and a strategic business practice. In just one intensive year, students learn how to think beyond logos and visual identity to understand branding as a tool for shaping culture, driving innovation, and creating meaningful change.
What makes the program unique is its interdisciplinary approach. Our students come from around the world with backgrounds in design, marketing, business, strategy, architecture, journalism, technology, and many other fields. That diversity creates an incredibly rich learning environment where different perspectives challenge conventional thinking and lead to more thoughtful, impactful work.
As Director of Operations and as Faculty now too, I have the privilege of helping shape the experience that surrounds the curriculum. I work across admissions, communications, marketing, operations, and community engagement to ensure that prospective students, current students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners all experience the program at its best. It’s rewarding because I get to support people at every stage of their journey, from discovering the program to launching the next chapter of their careers.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that the program doesn’t simply prepare students for jobs; it prepares them to become leaders who can navigate complexity, think strategically, and create brands with purpose. Our graduates go on to shape global organizations, launch successful consultancies, lead in-house brand teams, and start ventures of their own.
At its core, the Masters in Branding is built on curiosity, collaboration, and the belief that branding carries responsibility. The best brands influence behavior, shape culture, and have the power to improve people’s lives. That’s the mindset we cultivate every day, and it’s what continues to attract ambitious, thoughtful creatives from around the world.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would consider myself a mid-level risk-taker. I’m not someone who takes risks recklessly, but I am endlessly curious, easily bored, and energized by new challenges, new environments, and opportunities to learn. I think that curiosity has been one of the biggest drivers of my career. I’ve always been drawn toward the unfamiliar because that’s where I find the most growth.
For me, risk is about being willing to leave behind what is comfortable in pursuit of something more meaningful. Some of the biggest risks I’ve taken have come from choosing change: moving from Canada to New York City, entering one of the most competitive creative markets in the world, expanding my career from design into brand strategy, writing, education, and leadership.
Moving to New York was a major leap. I was leaving behind the familiarity of a smaller creative community and stepping into a city where there is no shortage of incredible talent. It challenged me to rebuild my network, find my voice, and trust that my perspective had value. There were of course moments of uncertainty, but I’ve always been someone who believes that discomfort is often a sign that you’re growing.
I also think creatives have a unique relationship with risk because our work requires us to constantly explore the unknown. Every strong idea starts as a question, an experiment, or something that hasn’t been done before. You have to be willing to test, fail, learn, and try again. That mindset has shaped not only my creative practice, but also how I approach my career.
Looking back, many of the moments that felt risky at the time have become the experiences I’m most grateful for. The move to New York, taking on leadership roles, stepping into education, and continuing to reinvent myself have all expanded my perspective. I’ve learned that risk creates opportunities for discovery, and for someone who is naturally curious, that discovery is often the most rewarding part.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amelianash.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amelia.of.all.things
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelianash-/
- Other: https://branding.sva.edu
