About
Ryan Essmaker is a director, creative director, and designer with 20+ years of experience shaping brands, films, and digital products.
Most recently, he built the internal video practice at Modern Treasury from the ground up, producing films that made complex financial technology feel more human and accessible.
Before that, he led brand and product design at Tellie and Simplecast. At Tellie, he helped shape the platform’s identity and user experience for creators, and also produced a video campaign that extended the brand’s expressive energy into film. At Simplecast, his work across brand, product, and marketing positioned the company for acquisition by SiriusXM.
He also co-founded The Great Discontent, an independent magazine and media brand known for its honest, artful storytelling. Over several years, he led creative direction across brand, product, editorial design, filmmaking, and print publishing, while also producing live events in New York City and Los Angeles. The project featured 300+ creatives including Leon Bridges, Paloma Lanna, Sharon Van Etten, Reggie Watts, Roxane Gay, Michael Bierut, Stefan Sagmeister, Tavi Gevinson, Seth Godin, and Mara Hoffman.
Ryan began his career running an independent design practice during the early web, focused on standards and responsive design—experience that continues to inform his approach to product and brand today.
He’s available for freelance and contract work, with a focus on directing and video production, as well as creative direction and product design. He’s also open to the right full-time opportunity where film, storytelling, and design intersect.
👉 Let’s connect
Most recently, he built the internal video practice at Modern Treasury from the ground up, producing films that made complex financial technology feel more human and accessible.
Before that, he led brand and product design at Tellie and Simplecast. At Tellie, he helped shape the platform’s identity and user experience for creators, and also produced a video campaign that extended the brand’s expressive energy into film. At Simplecast, his work across brand, product, and marketing positioned the company for acquisition by SiriusXM.
He also co-founded The Great Discontent, an independent magazine and media brand known for its honest, artful storytelling. Over several years, he led creative direction across brand, product, editorial design, filmmaking, and print publishing, while also producing live events in New York City and Los Angeles. The project featured 300+ creatives including Leon Bridges, Paloma Lanna, Sharon Van Etten, Reggie Watts, Roxane Gay, Michael Bierut, Stefan Sagmeister, Tavi Gevinson, Seth Godin, and Mara Hoffman.
Ryan began his career running an independent design practice during the early web, focused on standards and responsive design—experience that continues to inform his approach to product and brand today.
He’s available for freelance and contract work, with a focus on directing and video production, as well as creative direction and product design. He’s also open to the right full-time opportunity where film, storytelling, and design intersect.
👉 Let’s connect
CV
CURRENT
Independent Director, Creative Director & Designer
2022-2025
Modern Treasury — Principal Brand Designer
Built the in-house video function and produced campaign, product, and customer content for a complex B2B platform.
Built the in-house video function and produced campaign, product, and customer content for a complex B2B platform.
Tellie (now Astral) — Head of Design, Lead Product Designer
Led product and brand design through a rebrand and pivot; shipped core experiences and launched a video campaign.
Led product and brand design through a rebrand and pivot; shipped core experiences and launched a video campaign.
2018-2020
Simplecast — Head of Design, Lead Product Designer
Led creative and product design, including a full app redesign and rebrand prior to acquisition by SiriusXM.
Led creative and product design, including a full app redesign and rebrand prior to acquisition by SiriusXM.
2011-2019
The Great Discontent — Cofounder, Creative Director
Cofounded and directed the long-form interview magazine across digital, print, film, and live events.
Cofounded and directed the long-form interview magazine across digital, print, film, and live events.
2015-2018
Fictive Kin — Senior Designer, Product Designer
Designed internal products and client work for Kickstarter, NatGeo, and NYC; developed concepts, interfaces, and visual systems.
Designed internal products and client work for Kickstarter, NatGeo, and NYC; developed concepts, interfaces, and visual systems.
2011-2014
Crush & Lovely — Creative Director, Head of Product
Led design for clients including NBCUniversal and Adobe; helped scale the studio and open a new SoHo office.
Led design for clients including NBCUniversal and Adobe; helped scale the studio and open a new SoHo office.
2000-2011
Independent Work
Designed for small businesses and artists during the early web, with a focus on web standards and responsive design.
Designed for small businesses and artists during the early web, with a focus on web standards and responsive design.