Work With Me
Visual tools that explain, engage and empower
Hello, I'm excited you are here!
Whether you’re an event organizer, social impact group or organization, a business leader or consultant; you probably don’t have a shortage of information you need to share – packed agendas full of talented presenters, a 100+ page document of key findings or a collection of possible ideas taking up residence in your headspace.
And you’re wondering how to:
- • Avoid information overload for you and your audience
- • Tell your story well and with impact
- • Get unstuck and make some decisions already
The Solution:
Illustration and Visual Strategy get you out of the I don’t know zone and into creative ways to engage, inform and connect with your communities so you can build a better future together.
Illustration and Visual Strategy get you out of the I don’t know zone and into creative ways to engage, inform and connect with your communities so you can build a better future together.
Why is Illustration and Visual Strategy so impactful?
Science Says Your Brain Loves Visuals!
Humans have been using visuals since cave people were walking around. Our brains are just naturally wired to recognize visuals. When we use visuals we are simplifying information enough to break down barriers in communication, generations and languages. Words are not always enough to convey big ideas. Visuals can promote collaboration, innovation, problem-solving, and learning.
FASTER PROCESSING
Visuals are processed 60,000
times faster in the brain than text.
We can get the sense of a visual scene
in less than 1/10 of a second
MOST NATURAL FORM OF COMMUNICATION
93% of all human communication is visual
65% of the population are visual learners
INCREASED RETENTION
We recall 80% of what we see and do
and only 20% of what we read
Hear something and three days later
you’ll remember 10% of it
Add a picture and you’ll remember 65%
“Emily's visual strategy services have revolutionized the way we tell our story and engage participants in helping us to tell our story!”
Now, this is where I come in!
Hi, I’m Emily Marko
For two decades, I’ve been supporting people focused on social change – to help them up the engagement level at their events, in their board rooms and even within their own minds by solving problems through illustration and visual strategy.
I have the pleasure of working with clients like:
- • Clinton Foundation
- • Arts Education Collaborative
- • University of Pittsburgh
- • The Grable Foundation
- • Carnegie Mellon University
- • Marianne Williamson's Sister Giant
- • Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
- • Shepard Symposium for Social Justice
- • Remake Learning
- • TedxPittsburgh
And so many more advocates, educators, consultants, entrepreneurs and community conveners.
The Process
While conversations are happening and content is being shared, that’s where the visual magic begins! I simplify and convert those conversations into a synthesized visual – sometimes on the fly in live sessions; other times it occurs slower over several conversations.
Deliverables differ depending on your goals and are always organized into my 3-part framework of See it. Think it. Do it!
These intentional steps are what create meaningful change.
Reveal what isn’t clear.
Visualize thoughts and words to develop a shared understanding for more effective communication.
Consider the possibilities.
Identify patterns and discover connections to gain insights and make informed decisions.
Spark intentional action.
Create a clear path forward that builds process and strategy into your work.
The Process
While conversations are happening and content is being shared, that’s where the visual magic begins! I simplify and convert those conversations into a synthesized visual – sometimes on the fly in live sessions; other times it occurs slower over several conversations.
Deliverables differ depending on your goals and are always organized into my 3-part framework of See it. Think it. Do it!
These intentional steps are what create meaningful change.
Reveal what isn’t clear.
Visualize thoughts and words to develop a shared understanding for more effective communication.
Consider the possibilities.
Identify patterns and discover connections to gain insights and make informed decisions.
Spark intentional action.
Create a clear path forward that builds process and strategy into your work.
Let's Work Together
There are three ways to work with me!
Visual Strategy
It’s right for you if you need:
- • To plan and manage your next event or project with clarity + ease
- • A trusted partner to guide you from ideation to decision-making
- • Working sessions to create shared understanding + intentional
action plans
Make connections that build great ideas, projects + societies virtually and in-person.
- • Virtual 1-on-1 sessions begin at $350 for an hour
- • Custom group sessions starting at $1500 for 3-hours
Event Illustration
It’s right for you if you need:
- • Presentations + conversations illustrated in real-time during meetings, conferences and workshops
- • Shareable content that highlights stories during speaker series, keynotes and recorded webinars
- • To amplify and record voices during focus groups, co-creation
and community collaborator sessions
Virtual and in-person capture available
- • Hire me for short sessions, full or multi-day conferences
- • Rates start at $800 for 2-hour sessions
- • Discount available for booking multiple sessions
Custom Illustration Services
It’s right for you if you need:
- • To translate large amounts of information into bite-size content
- • Visual assets to share dynamic + purposeful messages
- • Creative ways to present stories for courses, presentations,
authoring content and more
Explain, engage and empower with illustrated messaging
- • Projects kick-off with a Visual Strategy session
- • Depending on content, projects can last 4-6 weeks
- • Rates start at $2000 for custom illustration projects
Ready to work together?
Click the button to complete a project intake form.
“Emily creates professional, visually appealing and relevant graphic illustrations that perfectly capture key concepts and highlight important pieces of speaker presentations.
Highly recommend for all presentation spaces and especially for nonprofit organizations with limited capacity.
Emily delivered with prompt reply, ease of transaction, clear set-up, fair rates, and immediate & exceptional end product.”
FAQs
Have some questions?
I've got answers!
Here are some of the most common questions I hear
Will you travel outside of Pittsburgh?
Since we are in Covid times, I’m limiting my in-person sessions. Luckily, the magic of technology always allows us to engage through the screen! All my services can be conducted virtually. We can discuss your specific event and project needs on a Discovery call.
What if I'm not sure which service I need?
If you are here, chances are you are looking for something more to help up the engagement level for you or your audience. Share the details you know in the intake form and I’ll follow up with details on how to schedule a discovery call. We’ll work through the best ways Illustration and Visual Strategy can help you meet your goals.
How can I use my final illustration files?
Live illustration deliverables can be shared publicly through email, posted on websites, social media, etc. Please acknowledge Emily Marko as the Illustrator. Deliverables from custom illustration services and Visual Strategy sessions can be used for the purpose agreed upon in the invoice. Clients may not re-sell any deliverables. We typically discuss deliverable usage prior to an agreement and if there is ever a question after the fact, please reach out and ask.
Do you offer refunds?
The “lawyerly” answer: Refunds will not be issued for Live Illustrations, Custom Illustration Projects, Visual Strategy Sessions, Retainer Packages or Relaunch Program registration. Client is responsible and liable for paying the full amount for these services once a contract is executed for said services. If a client has to cancel a session or service due to an unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance, please reach out asap. I retain the right to decide if the service can be rescheduled for no additional cost or if a change fee charge is necessary.
What happens after I fill out the intake form?
I’ll review the project details shared to be sure I’m available and then send out my scheduler link within 48 hours. You’ll be able to book a Discovery Call so I can answer any further questions and learn more about your project needs.
