Today, we’re continuing our “Teammate Spotlight” series with Alyssa D’Urso, our Associate Creative Director. Alyssa approaches every project with positivity and believes in fostering collaboration and teamwork at each step of the creative process.

Q. You’re an Associate Creative Director at Urban Emu. Can you tell me a bit about that role?

A. Being an Associate Creative Director at Urban Emu is an absolute joy! Every day, I wake up excited to come to work and do what I love. My role involves inspiring, directing, and listening to our incredible creative team and overseeing our creative projects from start to finish. I love diving deep into projects, rolling up my sleeves, brainstorming ideas, and ultimately delivering results that make our clients ecstatic. It’s all about that fun, magic moment when everyone’s efforts come together to create something truly amazing!

Q. I know working with your team is a big part of your role. Do you have a philosophy when it comes to leadership?

A.I take my leadership role seriously because I understand its impact on our team’s morale and productivity. I believe in fostering compassion and providing the support our team members need to grow and excel in their roles. Beyond supporting my team, I try my hardest to bring a spark of light and positivity to the table. Agency work can be fast-paced and hectic. I think it’s important to approach challenges with a positive mindset. I think that approaching leadership with positivity not only helps us find solutions in creative and uplifting ways but it also keeps the team motivated and fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration.

Q. You really are a light! And you’ve been shining that light at Urban Emu since the early days. What has it been like to watch the company grow?

A. This question always brings a big smile to my face! It’s been absolutely amazing to witness the growth of Urban Emu. Being part of a company’s journey as it expands and evolves has allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication, passion, and hard work that go into every step along the way.

It’s been inspiring to see how each project has contributed to our company’s success and to watch our team members grow personally and professionally. We’ve faced challenges together, celebrated milestones, and learned valuable lessons. I’m incredibly grateful for where we are today, but I can’t help but feel excited about what’s next!

Q. What are some of the standout creative projects you’ve worked on at Urban Emu?

A. There have been so many! The project we did to create the Dietary Guidelines book and website and our projects with MyPlate.gov have been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve been with these projects since their inception, and seeing their continuous growth is truly rewarding. I have loved being able to apply and expand my design and creative skills while spreading a life-changing message to so many people.

Another standout experience was our collaboration with 1,000 Days,a non-profit organization dedicated to prioritizing health and wellness during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday. It was inspiring to witness our work’s impact in driving change and supporting such an important cause. The client’s passion and dedication added so much heart to the project, making it incredibly gratifying for everyone involved.

Q. Do you have a creative process?

A. I always start with the data – as much data as I can get, whether it’s directly from our clients or through strategy sessions with the team. Data is like a map for my creative process. Once I’ve soaked in the data, I like to work through ideas in my mind. This mental brainstorming quickly moves to paper. Throughout this process, I’m constantly discussing with my fantastic team.

I love having collaborative working sessions with the team where we gather and create. These working sessions help us hash out any ideas and continue to move forward with the ones that feel right. From there, we move into the “fun part” and bring it all to life! We add the emotion, colors, typography, imagery, etc. It’s one of my favorite parts!

Q. You have a hand in so many essential parts of our work. What aspect of your role do you find the most rewarding?

A. Seeing the positive impact that our creative work has on clients, users, and audiences is truly gratifying. It’s about creating experiences, messages, and designs that resonate, inspire, and make a meaningful difference in real people’s lives. That sense of accomplishment and the joy of seeing our vision realized is what makes every step of the creative process worthwhile.

Q. What is your favorite thing about working at Urban Emu?

A.That I wake up each day and work doesn’t feel like work. How lucky am I? I truly am thankful for my team and clients. I love what I do and am so excited to continue doing it with them.

We’re so grateful to have Alyssa on our team to dig deep into our clients’ needs and inspire her team with positivity and light! Stay tuned for more teammate spotlights.