THE 19th* APPLICATION MATERIALS
I'm excited to apply for the Brand Designer position at The 19th, an organization whose mission to elevate underrepresented voices resonates deeply with my own values as a designer and citizen. My design practice—from leading design teams at Disney and Yahoo! to crafting the user experience for Pete Buttigieg's campaign and co-creating Colors For Kamala - the first effort from The United Colors Project—has been guided by a belief in design's power to connect communities and amplify essential stories. The projects throughout my portfolio reflect not just technical expertise but a heartfelt commitment to creating visual narratives that foster understanding and inspire action—work I would be honored to continue in service of The 19th's vital journalism.
Above is a visual introduction to my career path. It's best viewed on a desktop. The image links to a downloadable version of it along with my CV. Below you'll find a copy of the cover letter I included with my application and links to selected work samples.
As a designer with over 30 years of experience spanning major media companies, presidential campaigns, and advocacy organizations, my career path has uniquely prepared me for the Brand Designer role at The 19th. My portfolio (rosenthal.design/19th) features a career timeline that visually demonstrates my journey from designing for Disney and Yahoo! to crafting the user experience for Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign and developing brand identities for women-led advocacy initiatives like Her Bold Move and Colors For Kamala.
The 19th's mission to empower women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities resonates with me deeply, bothpersonally and professionally. Throughout my career, I've consistently sought opportunities to use design as a tool for democratic participation, inclusive storytelling, and social change, be it outward-facing or within an organization. The 19th represents the confluence of journalism, design, and values-driven work that has defined my most meaningful professional experiences.
What I would bring specifically to this role:
MEDIA BRAND EXPERTISE: At Disney and Yahoo!, I led design teams responsible for creating cohesive visual identities across multiple platforms for millions of users. I understand the unique challenges of translating journalistic content into compelling visual narratives that engage diverse audiences while maintaining brand integrity.
POLITICAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE: My work as UX lead for Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign honed my ability to rapidly create visual content that balances bold messaging with strategic coherence. For example, I developed visual systems for quickly turning otherwise complex interactions into delightful experiences and translating policy positions into accessible, shareable graphics—skills directly applicable to The 19th's journalism.
ADVOCACY-CENTERED DESIGN: My recent work developing the brand identities for Colors For Kamala and Her Bold Move demonstrates my commitment to design that advances gender equity and democratic participation. I understand how to create and/or extend brand systems that give visual voice to underrepresented cohorts and build communities around shared values. For example, I designed a color system for Colors For Kamala that translated cultural moments and campaign values into a color language, creating an immediate emotional connection with supporters.
CROSS-PLATFORM VISUAL STORYTELLING: From social media content to editorial illustrations and infographics to brand identity systems, I've created visual stories that maintain their impact across platforms. I excel at developing and amplifying design solutions with creative flexibility while ensuring brand consistency.
I admire The 19th's clean, uncluttered visual approach; It has a simplicity and a sophistication to it that serves the experience, prioritizes the information, and keeps things accessible while offering opportunities for extension.
While I'm currently complementing my design expertise with studies in Interior Architecture at UCLA, this position at The 19th felt too aligned with what drives me personally to forego an opportunity to submit my application. I'm drawn to The 19th's cause and commitment to accurate and inclusive journalism that engenders equal and equitable participation. The remote nature of the role would allow me to excel in this position while completing my studies.
This moment requires getting off the sidelines and using whatever skills we have to make a difference. I'd be honored to apply mine to The 19th's mission.
I believe that my combination of media expertise, political design experience, and commitment to women's empowerment makes me uniquely qualified to help strengthen and extend The 19th's visual identity during this crucial time.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience could benefit The 19th and to share how compelling visual design can further amplify your important journalism.
Warmly,
Amy Ilyse Rosenthal
Download a copy of my CV and Visual Timeline here.
SELECT PROJECTS
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HER BOLD MOVE: An identity system for an organization poised to change the political landscape.
See the project →THE UNITED COLORS PROJECT: Colors For Kamala- a compelling example of how thoughtful design and meaningful activism can blend beautifully.
See the product →21 DROPS : A product and brand development project that reimagined aromatherapy for the 21st century.
See the product →DISNEY’S SPOONFUL: Building a brand within brand.
See the project → -
PETE FOR AMERICA: Crafting the digital experience for Pete Buttigieg's ground-breaking presidential primary campaign.
See select designs from the campaign →DISNEY STORY: A pioneering photo-sharing app that elevated everyday moments into connected visual stories, courtesy of the masters of narrative magic.
See select scenarios from the app →REVEAL: A funded stealth start-up looking at models that leverage technology to exercise healthy and effective leadership practices, and grow communities.
See the project →CORBIS: Reorganizing the brand architecture, repairing the checkout process, and refreshing the visual identity without alienating established users.
See the project → -
KHAITE SOHO SHOWROOM: A redesign that demonstrates how sustainability can harmonize with refined design, without compromise.
See the project →5150 WILSHIRE BLVD: An adaptive reuse project on L.A.’s Miracle Mile that explores the poetic dialogue between preserving architectural heritage and introducing contemporary elements, transforming a commercial space into aprivate residential oasis.
See the project →FURTHER LANE, EAST HAMPTON: A reimagining of a classic Hamptons carriage house to challenge space planning skills and test hand rendering techniques.
See the project →THE CLOISTERS, ANTWERP: A boutique hotel project in Antwerp that illustrates a respect for history and place, while organizing the careful choreography between public and private spaces.
See the project →