I served as the visual creative lead for a multi-episode podcast series from pre-production through launch, owning the visual identity across set design, animation, photography, and post-production over a six-month timeline. I developed a distinctive, ownable set-piece centered on the Square jewel and built a bespoke animation system that elevated the series beyond traditional branded content. Working autonomously from high-level objectives, I directed on-set execution, led motion and photography partners, and managed complex production workflows with 24-hour turnarounds. The result was a cohesive visual system that balanced Square’s brand integrity with the expectations of a high-profile celebrity partner, earning recognition for both craft and strategic clarity.
The project required navigating layered stakeholder dynamics across internal teams, external production partners (Even/Odd), and Guy Raz himself—often making fast, high-stakes creative decisions while maintaining long-term vision. I championed strong points of view, built consensus through clear rationale and comprehensive presentations, and solved cross-disciplinary challenges spanning set design, music selection, animation, and brand application. Senior leadership cited the partnership as a model for future celebrity collaborations, noting that I “single-handedly brought to life and honed the visual direction” and “created a vision that everyone could see themselves in.” The work established a new standard for complex content creation at Square and led to expanded creative leadership responsibilities, including stepping into an Acting Creative Director role for international markets.
View all episodes on The Bottom Line here or you can find the episodes on YouTube, Spotify, NPR, iHeart Radio, and Pandora.
Sasha Galkin: Narrative Lead
Jonathan Skale: Creative Director
Melanie Wells: Producer
Nicholas Dahl: Producer
