Creative Strategist & Brand Designer

Emily
Michael
Rypkema

Thinking in systems while building in color. Strategy and design, working hand in hand.

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Emily Michael Rypkema

Strategy that
takes motion

I started using my biology degree in a Pediatric Emergency Department. I then moved to cancer research, collecting and inputting datar while also building relationships. As a creative, I quickly realized I wanted more. I started saying yes to different opportunities and they took me somewhere unexpected. I realized in this transition that I enjoyed helping brands grow to their full potential. The throughline is the same: design a way to clearly communicate something visually, and make sure it lands with your audience.

"I'm a thinker and a maker— I can strategize with clients and then turn around to build the thing."

My work lives at the overlap between brand identity and visual design. I'm most energized when I can help a brand figure out what they want to say, and how they want to look like saying it. Most recently, I've been the creative behind MyScript's social presence — working across campaigns, motion graphics, and visual systems. Outside of work, my favorite title is tía— I take that role very seriously. I'm also a painter, a reader, an embroiderer, a runner, a baker, and a writer. There's always a new craft just around the corner. Creativity isn't something I turn on for a project— it's just how I move through the world.

Strategy + execution in one
I don’t hand off a brief — I build it around your goals. That means fewer handoffs, faster clarity, and creative that actually lands where it needs to.
Range across every medium
Brand identity, web design, motion graphics, social campaigns, print— wherever your brand needs to show up, I keep it cohesive and on-point.
Obsessive about craft
I notice the kerning. I redraw the icon. I rebuild the layout — because the details are what make your brand feel considered, not just designed.
Built for fast-moving teams
Five years working alongside clients, agencies, and in-house teams— I know how to move at your pace and deliver without cutting corners.

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

Projects

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, reached out to 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

"

I worked with Emily at MyScript, where she quickly became a key contributor to how we approach and run our social media. She has a great ability to understand objectives and translate them into content that feels both relevant and engaging. From defining ideas to producing assets- carousels, reels, stories- she consistently delivered high-quality work, always aligned with our audience and tone. She also built a genuine connection with our community, helping strengthen engagement and brand affinity over time. Emily played an important role during a pivotal phase for us, supporting a full product rebranding (from Nebo to MyScript Notes), launching and growing new channels, and contributing to the launch of our MyScript Math app from scratch. She also took ownership of our influencer marketing, structuring it end-to-end and turning it into a solid driver of visibility and app downloads across key markets. Reliable, creative, and autonomous, Emily is someone you can trust to drive projects forward with clarity and impact. I'd definitely recommend her to any team looking for someone who combines strong execution with a thoughtful creative approach.

Nicolas Rucine
Brand & Marketing Director, MyScript
"

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
Author & Founder, Go and Tell Gals
"

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
Author & Founder, SEEN Moms

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.