Creative Strategist & Brand Designer

Emily
Michael
Rypkema

I think in systems and build in color. Strategy and design aren't two separate steps for me— they go hand in hand.

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Emily Michael Rypkema

About Me

Strategy that
takes motion

I started using my biology degree in a pediatric ER, moved to cancer research collecting data and building relationships— and as a creative, I quickly realized I wanted more. I said yes to opportunities that took me somewhere unexpected: helping build brands for a living. The throughline is the same: figure out how to visually communicate something clearly, and make sure it actually lands.

"I'm a thinker and a maker— I can sit in the strategy conversation and then go build the thing."

My work lives at the overlap of brand identity and visual design. I'm most energized when I'm helping a brand figure out what to say and what to look like saying it. Most recently I've been the solo creative behind MyScript's social media brand presence— designing campaigns, motion graphics, and visual systems that grew their audience by 200%+.

What I bring

Strategy + execution in one
I don't hand off a brief— I build it. My strength is in the visual thinking, and I know exactly what the work needs to say.
Range across every medium
Brand identity, web design, motion graphics, social campaigns, print— I move between them without losing the thread.
Obsessive about craft
I notice the kerning. I redraw the icon. I rebuild the layout until it feels right— not just looks right.
Built for fast-moving teams
Five years of juggling clients, contracts, campaigns, and deadlines— I know how to move quickly without cutting corners.

What I Do

Skills & Expertise

◈
Campaign Strategy & Social
Full-funnel campaign concepting, content creation, and performance analysis across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and paid channels.
InstagramTikTokInfluencer Marketing
◇
Influencer Marketing
Built an influencer program from scratch— outreach, contracts, negotiations, deliverable approvals, analytics, and relationship management across 37 partners.
OutreachContractsAnalytics
⊕
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects— the full toolkit for print, digital, and motion work across every brand touchpoint.
Premiere ProIllustratorInDesign
✦
Brand Identity & Design
Building visual systems from the ground up— logos, typography, color, and the full suite of assets that make a brand recognizable.
Logo DesignVisual SystemsBrand Guidelines
◎
Web & Digital Design
Designing responsive websites, landing pages, and digital experiences with a strong eye for UX and visual hierarchy.
FigmaResponsive DesignBeginner UI/UX
▲
Motion & Animation
Creating motion graphics, animated social content, and Lottie animations— beginner level but growing fast.
After EffectsMotion Graphics

Selected Work

Projects

Featured Project

2024 – 2026 · MyScript

Social Media Campaigns— Strategy, Design & Creation

Sole creative behind MyScript's social presence across Instagram and TikTok— designing and producing every asset from animated reels to carousels while owning the full content strategy. Storytelling focus: educating users, surfacing what the product solves, and building brand loyalty. Grew MyScript Math to 5K Instagram followers from launch and rebuilt MyScript Notes (formerly Nebo) from scratch to 2K followers.

↗ +200% growth on Instagram & TikTok · MyScript Math: 5K IG followers from launch · MyScript Notes: 2K followers from relaunch

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Social Media Campaign

2025 – 2026 · MyScript

Influencer Marketing Program— Built from Zero

Conceived and launched MyScript's first-ever in-house influencer program, built around the launch of MyScript Math. Consulted legal on contract frameworks, personally outreached hundreds of creators, and signed 37 influencers for 129 posts. Managed everything end-to-end: negotiation, agreements, deliverable approvals, analytics, invoicing, and ongoing relationship management.

↗ 7,717,697 views · 35,402 shares · CPM $7.63

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2021 – Present · Independent

Brand Management & Visual Design— Consulting

Independent creative practice focused on brand management, visual design, and marketing for clients who need someone who can think through the problem and execute— without splitting the work between a strategist and a designer. Projects span logo design, visual systems, brand creation & management, podcast ad partnerships, and digital collateral. Clients include the Jess Connolly Podcast, Anna Mae Groves, and MyScript, where consulting work became the foundation for the full social and influencer programs.

↗ Brand identity · Visual systems · Figma · Adobe Suite

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Legacy Studio

Legacy Studio— Brand, Web & Product Design

Co-founded a creative studio with my sisters— part art practice, part design experiment. I built and maintain the website, design all paper products including calendars and planners, and own the full brand and marketing strategy. It's where I get to own the full process from concept to execution, with no handoffs and no guardrails.

↗ Brand ownership · Web design & development · Paper product design

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Kind Words

What people say

"

Emily is a catalyzer— an agent who wants to see diligent growth, passionate for your business, and will work to make it happen. She is a woman able to see vision for who has the unique gift of seeing other people and other brands while also embodying the change that needs to be made to see the vision to fruition. She would be an incredible addition to any team— your business will be better after she's touched it.

Jess Connolly
Founder, Go and Tell Gals
"

Testimonial coming soon.

Nicolas Rucine
MyScript
"

Emily's project management and strategic planning is truly exceptional. She is a detail-oriented creative problem solver who does an excellent job managing both the nitty-gritty and overarching strategic vision of a project. She works well collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and has a proven track record of leading research and execution of successful social media presence across online channels. Emily's dedication, professionalism, and strategic acumen make her an invaluable asset to any organization fortunate enough to have her on their team.

Ellery Sadler
Co-Founder & Director, Impact Global Strategics
"

Emily has worked with me for two years on social media strategy, revamping and rebranding my website, and producing a newsletter. Not only is Emily continually looking for ways to keep my brand fresh and relevant, but she is laser-focused on who I serve. Always responsive to my requests, she is literally the wind beneath my wings.

Deb Hopper
Client

Get in Touch

Let's work together

I'm looking for a full-time role where I can go deep— at a company that cares as much about craft as it does about performance. If that sounds like you, let's talk.

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