We had the good fortune of connecting with John S. Couch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John S., we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After I left Hulu in 2021, where I led product design, I decided that having my own consultancy (Galvanize Studios) would be a nice change as I’d be able to work with many different companies in varied arenas. On occasion, I’d join the company for a stint but ultimately, at this juncture, I’ve found that working for myself has been very freeing. Currently I’m consulting for Amazon Prime Video and really enjoying it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have a hard time with labels but I consider myself a multi-disciplinary artist. I always admired artists who worked in multiple disciplines, like Isamu Noguchi (sculptor, furniture maker, landscape architect) or Laurie Anderson (visual artist, musician, performance artist). Under the over-arching title of “artist” I am able to design professionally, write (fiction and non-fiction as well as screenplays), and of course, make art (paintings, installations, sculptures).

In order to fund my creative work, I’ve worked as a professional design and creative leader for over two decades.

It’s important to do engaging work for paying the bills but it’s equally important to make time for the things you love in life, from family time to writing poetry or making ceramics or doing stand-up comedy — engaging in whatever it is you can do that creatively engages you and not doing it for financial gain or fame. You do it because it makes life meaningful and fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is enormous. I’ve lived here since 2000 and I still haven’t explored it entirely. One of the places I love is Topanga Canyon, for the beautiful mountains and views. There are amazing hiking trails in Topanga and the community has a wonderful small-village vibe, filled with artists, musicians, writers, chefs, shaman, healers and actors. Creatives who have lived in Topanga include: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Linda Ronstadt, Jason Momoa and Jim Morrison.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my wife and creative collaborator, JC Caldwell. Without her support, encouragement and belief in my abilities, I wouldn’t be where I am.

Website: https://www.john-couch.com

Instagram: @shadow.and.sun.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncouch/

Twitter: @titaniumsky

Image Credits
Images of John speaking at the Amazon Design Summit courtesy of Morvarid Kashanipour.

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