Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethan Casella.
Hi Ethan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in California, where I lived through high school. As I started exploring colleges, I knew I wanted to pursue something in the world of marketing—but none of the programs I came across felt quite right. Toward the end of my search, I discovered TCU and was immediately drawn to its Graphic Design program. After touring the campus and meeting the design faculty, I knew I had found the right fit.
At TCU, I studied Graphic Design and found a program that pushed me creatively, challenged me to grow, and opened doors to real-world experiences. I had the chance to strengthen my design skills, connect with professionals in the field, and learn from professors who genuinely cared about my development—many of whom I still keep in touch with today. The program’s strong relationships with the local creative community also created valuable internship opportunities for students like me.
In my final semester, I interned at Schaefer Advertising Co., a Fort Worth-based agency that specializes in healthcare, real estate, and tourism. From day one, I worked alongside other creatives on real client projects and quickly gained a sense of what agency life is like. I loved the environment and the work—and when graduation approached, I had the chance to extend my internship or pursue a full-time role elsewhere. I chose to stay with Schaefer, and that decision led to a full-time position as a Junior Art Director.
Today, I’m still at Schaefer, continuing to grow as a young creative. The agency’s mission to make life better is something I see lived out in the work we do every day, and I’m grateful to be a part of a team that values both creativity and purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Moving to a new place with almost no connections was a leap of faith—and stepping into the unknown came with its fair share of challenges. But looking back, I’ve come to see that every struggle brought moments of growth that ultimately shaped me for the better.
About halfway through my time at TCU, I made a slight shift in my academic path that added an extra semester to my graduation timeline. At the time, I was disappointed—I wouldn’t be graduating with many of my closest friends. But what felt like a setback turned out to be one of the best things that could’ve happened. That additional semester introduced me to a new group of classmates, including my girlfriend. And if I had graduated on time, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to intern at Schaefer during that final semester.
I’ve learned that each season of life comes with its own challenges, but those challenges often push us to grow in ways we don’t expect. They shape us, strengthen us, and sometimes, lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently a Junior Art Director at Schaefer Advertising, where I primarily focus on work in the healthcare industry—but I also have the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of clients across other sectors. My work spans everything from new product campaigns and brand identity design to social graphics and digital content.
What I love most about my role is the variety. No two days look the same. Each project brings a new challenge—whether it’s learning a new tool, refining an existing skill, or thinking through a problem from a fresh perspective. Juggling multiple projects across multiple clients keeps me on my toes and constantly pushes me to think creatively.
Recently, I’ve stepped more into video and motion design as the demand for dynamic content in advertising continues to grow. What started as an unfamiliar area has quickly become one of my favorite—and most valuable—parts of the job. It’s been exciting to turn something I once knew little about into a defining part of my creative toolkit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://schaeferadvertising.com
- Instagram: schaeferadco
- Other: https://ethancaselladesign.myportfolio.com
