Meet the Core OC Team
Meet the
Creative Leaders

Everything we do at OC Imageworks falls under the direct supervision of our Creative Leaders, but talent is everywhere, and OC Imageworks knows how to leverage the connected world to draw on the very best, whether they live in Hollywood or Chicago.  

Still, it takes talent to know talent, and that's why we depend on the knowledge and deep expertise of the specialists on our leadership team to vet the skills of all the professionals who contribute to any given project.  If you need a good writer, you'd better know good writing when you see it.  When you're counting on a second camera, the buck stops with your director of photography.  We're proud of our ability to identify, attract, and utilize talent that meets our uncompromising standards.  It's all about exceeding expectations - yours and ours.

  • David Barrow

    • President

      David holds a Ph.D. in English from Duke University and taught for a number of years at Northern Illinois University before leaving to pursue his passion for photography, writing, and filmmaking. OC Imageworks emerged from his desire to collaborate with other creative professionals to leverage the narrative power of the digital revolution. “Talent is everywhere, and for the first time in human history it is possible to tap that talent anywhere in the world, almost instantly.”

      What I Bring to the Team

      "I’ve been a writer my whole life, so I stress the importance of narrative in everything we do. Get the story right, and everything else will follow. I’m also the editorial filter for all our other writers. I have to finesse the gaps between what the writer writes, what the client expects, and what actually motivates the client’s markets. It’s a complicated job, but I enjoy the challenge, and I’ve had decades of experience creating language that works."

      Creative Inspiration

      "I learned the power of narrative as a child, listening to hunters in South Texas deer camps tell tales about epic stalks and unlikely encounters with mountain lions and mammoth whitetail bucks. The hunting urge has faded, but the love of great stories stuck."

  • Erin Nolan

    • Artistic Director and Lead Designer

      Erin brings an artist's eye for color and design to every project she touches. Her techinical skills and mastery of design programs like Photoshop, In-Design, and Illustrator have allowed her to project her creative vision into every aspect of OC Imageworks' services. From print, to web design, to the creation of graphics for video, Erin's leadership has set the creative bar for the entire OC Imageworks team.

      What I Bring to the Team 

      "I really enjoy working with other professionals, and OC's collaborative approach to projects allows me to explore new avenues for my ideas. Because I'm backed up by experts in other fields, I'm free to concentrate on things like color, integrated design, and artistic touches that make our projects pop."

      Creative Inspiration

      "My inspiration comes from our clients – through the energy provided while communicating their vision. I come into a meeting with an open mind. Often visual concepts are difficult to communicate verbally, but I hear more than what is said. I grow to understand what their needs and motivation are. I internalize their ideas and add my design expertise to create a final product that is more than expected. Customer satisfaction with the final design keeps me motivated to jump into the next project excited and ready to start the process again."

  • Brian Barrow

    • Director of Photography (video production)

      Brian Barrow is a graduate of the Florida State Film School, where he specialized in cinematography. He divides his time between Hollywood, where he works as a director of photography, editor, and colorist, and DeKalb, where he serves as OC Imageworks' primary film consultant.  In addition to serving as Director of Photography on many of OC's productions, Brian is often called upon to bring his formidable editing, visual effects, and coloring skills to the table for OC's clients. His cinematic vision contributes significantly to the unique quality of our productions.

      What I Bring to the Team

      "Technical advancements in equipment and editing software have put high production values within the reach of all kinds of clients.  But you still need a trained eye behind the camera and in the editing suite. I approach every project with the goal of making it as good as it can be, but the difference between "ok" and "great" often lies in the sort of subtleties you pick up in film production. It's my job to understand those subtleties and make them work for OC Imageworks' clients."

      Creative Inspiration

      "My grandmother's cousin was married to a special effects artist name Wah Chang. Wah worked on a number of Disney classics, including Pinnochio and Bambi, and he won an Academy Award for the 1961 production of The Time Machine. I got to know Wah when I was just a boy, and he made a lasting impression on me. I've been interested in filmmaking ever since, and I like to think I put a little of Wah's spirit into all of my projects."

  • Brian Oster

    • Project Specialist

      Brian Oster herds the creative cats at OC Imageworks, managing timelines, work flow, proposals, and client communications. His own creative talents are expressed in the conception and execution of innovative marketing solutions. Brian's understanding of the importance of great content makes him a perfect fit for the OC team.

      What I Bring to the Team

      "I help everyone else get their work done. I manage the details, and that allows the rest of the team to focus on the creative solutions. I also love working with clients. I'm a good listener, and that enables me to find what the client needs, map out a plan for completion, coordinate the necessary resources, and make sure we meet our deadlines. Really, I just love playing my part."

      Creative Inspiration

      "The other team members inspire me with their creative capabilities. A synergy is created here when all the right tools are at hand, goals are set, and expectations are understood. I get to make those things happen and also remove distractions from their desk. The results always amaze me."