We were lucky to catch up with Carrie Osgood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carrie, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

The creative communications industry tends to emphasize traditional silos, structures, and the cookie-cutter approach to follow pre-existing formulas and templates. My work diverges from that standard in that I specialize in customizing comprehensive solutions that cross-pollinate and integrate the often divided fields of visual, verbal and strategic communications. Through a collaborative and personalized approach, I focus on solving the unique challenges and priorities of every client.

My published creative work also goes beyond traditional methods to show what’s possible with alternative narrative possibilities. I strive to exemplify the powerful resonance that comes from fusing the verbal with the visual – and the literal with the visceral – into focused, compelling, multi-sensory stories.

My inspirational allegorical picture books for all ages, “Path to the Palace” and “Escapades in Caves,” demonstrate how meaningful fictional short stories can be enhanced with beautiful photography and design. Both books aim to give a warm hug to individuals who find themselves discovering their own personalized path that veers away from the conventional.

My “Data Atlas of the World” is a series of panoramic and detailed infographic world maps. Designed to maximize intuitive understanding, I made each map by hand, merging digital painting techniques with the precision of data journalism. As a result, when people of all ages view each map, they find themselves effortlessly drawn in to explore and discover an extensive array of intriguing details about all countries around the world.

I developed my educational program YourStoryGPS to help those who strive to be distinctively memorable and magnetic in their quest to achieve business success, accomplish professional goals and produce their own artistic work with an expanded toolbox. If you want to look, sound and feel like everyone else, there are countless resources at your disposal. But if you aim to look, sound and feel like your best and only you, let’s talk!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

You could say that I speak design, see type, hear copy, picture data, read audiences and translate complexity into clarity.

Through my business, CLO Communications, and my educational program, YourStoryGPS, I empower businesses, organizations and individuals to communicate with impact through all they show and say – providing effective, customized solutions to complex storytelling, branding and education challenges across all media.

With a lifetime devoted to continually expanding my narrative design arsenal (reflected in my wide range of published work), I specialize in guiding individuals through their distinctive creative processes, from igniting the sparks of innovation to producing a final result that radiates a confident clarity.

I began my career in Hollywood, professional theater and at Interbrand, one of the world’s largest brand consultancy firms. I went on to spend close to a dozen years as a graphic artist, data journalist, interactive producer, features writer, editorial supervisor and design leader for the Associated Press.

Since launching my business CLO Communications in 2012, I have created content for major international organizations including the United Nations, Columbia University’s Earth Institute, The Guardian and Big Think. I have also provided creative leadership to a variety of high-achieving businesses driven to improve people’s lives.

Since early 2016, I have taught assorted art, design, strategic communications and journalism courses part-time at multiple universities, ranging from Narrative Design, Branding and Typography to Data Journalism.

My published writing, photography, illustrations and infographics have connected with audiences all around the world, and my work has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize.

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Much of my success has to do with the extensive training I received during my formative years before I took my first art-school design class, published my first written story, wrapped my head around my first database, and helped my first client and first student discover, articulate and evoke their captivating vision and voice.

My years directing and designing for theater taught me to step back and sit in the audience’s chair to embody their perspective while receiving a production. My background performing as a trained vocalist conditioned me to instinctually feel a musical rhythm and flow when delivering stories. And my job speaking in front of different groups of high school students every day forced me to prioritize being entertaining and compassionate while seeing the world from their perspective – or else I’d be aggressively booed out of the classroom.

From that foundation, I went on to expand my toolbox as an accomplished designer, writer, data-journalist, photographer, editor, creative director, university professor, publisher and small-business owner – able to personally identify with the challenges facing high-achieving individuals.

My toolbox may be unconventional, yet it enhances my ability to tap into a deep well of expertise to create and help others achieve effective, compelling and customized solutions to complex communications and storytelling challenges across all media.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m deeply motivated by exploration, education and inspiration. My personal explorations in life continually provide the source material for my creative journey. I love physically exploring the world through international travel, my curiosity drives me to explore the relationships that individuals have with the world, and my work continuously explores and helps others navigate the vast landscape of creative possibility. In addition, everything I do aims to create connections that educate and inspire. Much of my paid work has been producing educational materials. I’m also an entrepreneurial educator and part-time university faculty. I thrive when feeling inspired by others, and I’ve learned that I must be able to successfully inspire others in order to be an effective educator.

My business tagline “translating complexity into clarity” embodies all the ways I achieve my mission. My creative output translates the complexity of the world into a clarity of understanding. I’m also fueled by watching my clients and students enthusiastically light up after I’ve been able to successfully translate the complexity muddled in their minds into a clarity of confident comprehension and clear sense of direction.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I feel so privileged to have built and sustained a multifaceted creative career that helps improve people’s lives. Through my published work, I’ve had the honor to experience moments of influence that have created impact and positive change. I’ve also been able to enhance and uplift the lives of my clients and students. I treasure the feeling that comes from the ripple effect when those I help pay it forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CarrieOsgood.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLO.communications.design/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/CarrieOsgood/
• Twitter: https://x.com/CarrieOsgood
• Other: YourStoryGPS: https://YourStoryGPS.com

  CLO Communications: https://CLO-communications.com

  Data Atlas of the World: https://DataWorldAtlas.com

Image Credits

The live TV interview image should have the credit “Colorado and Company KUSA-TV”

The four additional photos should have the credit “CLO Communications LLC”

The personal photo has no image credit.