Elaan Ventura Bourn’s creative happy places are the spaces between the highbrow and the lowbrow. A multidisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bourn boasts an impressive portfolio with a list of high-profile clients that include Nike and Apple Music.
In 2018, Bourn was part of the creative team given the opportunity to design the interior graphics for 21st Century Fox’s new headquarters by creating over 40 unique graphics showcasing the history and range of its massive media archive spanning over five decades.
While Bourn expresses gratitude for all of her past clients and projects, the one near and dear to the design director’s heart is the rebranding for the Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup. “The opportunity to build a world and identity around a succinct concept from beginning to end is always a win,” Bourn told Adweek.
I’m hoping to really focus on what I want out of my career, opposed to industry hallmarks, and to vigorously go for it.
Elaan Ventura Bourn, design director, Character (NY)
Reconsidering success
On her ideal project or client: “I’m not particular about industries or particular clients,” Bourn tells Adweek. “I’m more fascinated about the project themselves. If the brief is clear, comprehensive and flexible with development, I’m interested. If the client is trusting, open and communicative, I’m sold.”
On her hopes for 2022: While some may mark their yearly goals will career milestones, Bourn is looking to redefine success in a way that measures both the professional and personal aspects of her life.
“The pandemic has really put a considerable amount of stress on [the concept of] work-life balance,” she says. “This has forced me to evaluate what I consider success beyond this two dimensional perspective. I’m hoping to really focus on what I want out of my career, opposed to industry hallmarks, and to vigorously go for it.”
You can find her on LinkedIn.
To view the entire Profiles in Black Creativity series for 2022, click here.
