ABOUT ME
Hey there, my name is
Morgan Burns
I’m a storyteller, designer, and artist driven by one conviction: to share the Gospel through my craft.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
I’ve always been wired to solve things.
Growing up, I was the kid speed-running Rubik’s cubes, sketching illustrations, and practicing magic tricks. I loved form and function, the way structure shapes outcome. Even then, I didn’t just want to consume. I wanted to understand how things worked and make them better.
BECOMING A CREATOR
Discovering my creative passion
When my football career ended, I was looking for a new passion. My friend Will created anime edit videos. I began to find interest in these videos and joined the team with the goal to become viral. We experimented with strategy, tested ideas, and learned by doing. Eventually I started creating my own illustrations, taught myself digital design, and grew an account to over 20,000 followers in a few months. This led me to enroll in the School of Media, Art, and Design at JMU.
WHERE IT ALL CHANGED
In 2021, Jesus changed everything.
During college, I became a follower of Christ, and my life took a new direction. Romans 10:14–15 gripped me with a question I couldn’t shake: “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” I became deeply compelled by lostness and the urgency of the Gospel. My calling wasn’t to abandon creativity, it was to redeem it.
2 dreams become one
My missions call combined with my creative gifts
While searching for how I would live out my calling, I discovered the IMB. It was where my passion for missions and my creative gifts came together.
I remember reading the homepage and knowing this was where I wanted to work. When I found a UX internship opportunity, I realized I could use my digital skills to help share the gospel.
Now, after this chapter of learning and serving through design, I’m preparing for the next one. I am heading to the field.
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
Creative range, grounded in execution.
I’m most effective where storytelling, design, and implementation overlap. I can move from early ideas to clear prototypes, from messy pages to navigable journeys, and from vague goals to shippable work.
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UI/UX Design
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Graphic Design
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3D Design
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Content strategy
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Project management
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Audio Visual Production
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Front End Development
HTML
CSS
Javascript
Python
Figma
Adobe CC
Photoshop
Illustrator
Premiere Pro
Indesign
Procreate
Spline
Blender
WHY DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT?
I want to help the story reach further.
What excites me most about digital missions is creating meaningful connection through compelling storytelling, especially through new mediums. Whether that’s web, video, or immersive experiences, I want to help teams communicate the Gospel clearly and creatively in a way that resonates with real people.
WHY JAPAN?
My heart is for Japan.
My connection to Japan began with culture. I grew up immersed in anime and Japanese storytelling, which eventually led me to start an illustration account and co-found an anime-inspired clothing brand. What began as creative admiration later became something far more serious.
After becoming a Christian, I learned that Japan is one of the largest unreached nations in the world. The country I had loved artistically was also spiritually distant from the gospel. When I spent a month there, I met people who had never heard the name of Jesus. Being there during Christmas and seeing hope placed in wishes rather than Christ deeply moved me.
My affection for the culture did not disappear. It became anchored in compassion.
I believe the gospel belongs in Japan, and I want to help tell that story through digital means, creative engagement, and faithful presence.
FINAL NOTE
If I joined your team, I’d come to serve the vision
I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help move the work forward: bringing energy, learning quickly, contributing creative skills, and helping turn vision into implementation. I want to help imagine what digital ministry in Japan could look like in the future, and then help build it with excellence.
I want to dedicate my life to work that helps the Japanese people encounter the story that changed my life.
TESTIMONIALS
"I had the opportunity to manage Morgan and can confidently say that he is a talented designer with both mindset and work ethic needed to succeed in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
Morgan consitstently approached his work with energy, initative, and a strong senze of accountability. He brought a thoughful and disciplined approach to UX/UI research and design, ensuring that his work reflected both the needs of the end user and the integrity of our brand and design standards. He was proactive in seeking feedback, iterating quickly, and incorperating input from stakeholders to strengthen the final outcome.
What stood out the most was Morgan's eagerness to learn and improve. he demonstrated a level of curiosity and ownership that elevated his quality of work and contributed positively to the broader team. His professionalism, collaborative spirit, and commitment to delivering well-considered design solutions made him a valued member of the organization.
Morgan has a bright future ahead, and I would gladly recommend him to any team looking for a designer who combines strong design instincts with a growth mindset and a genuine passion for the craft.
MO FELICIANO - WEB PRODUCT MANAGER @IMB
“I've had the pleasure of working with Morgan for close to two years. He is a creative UX designer and is always working to develop his skillset. He has many great ideas and has done a great job acting in a project manager role when needed. He is a fast learner and a great friend. Morgan is a natural leader and gets along with everyone. I would trust him with any design project!”
KEVIN MARSHALL- SEO CONTENT SPECIALIST @IMB