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I’m an art teacher and graphic designer-illustrator with two decades experience in publishing, apparel and a range of other markets. Clients and licensing partners include Barnes and Noble, Scholastic and Disney Publishing.

SURFACE DESIGN: My patterns and illustrations have appeared in books, on baby slings, pajamas, notebooks, gift bags and more. I love the thrill of seeing a drawing start off in my sketchbook and end up on something functional, like a bag or piece of clothing. My goal is to bring a little joy to your customer with graphics and color.

GRAPHIC DESIGN: As an art director and designer-illustrator I've helped publishing clients with a wide range of needs including project management, hiring and supervising remote teams of designers and illustrators, design of book interiors and covers, creation of graphics, series logos, visual explainers and illustrations, photo research, marketing and more. As Associate Art Director at Scholastic I collaborated with global brands and top children's illustrators on books, promotions and packaging. As Senior Designer at Rosen Publishing I created over one hundred nonfiction titles on history, science, art and wellness. I supervised all phases of book production, from concept to press checks.

TEACHING: I teach art at Timberlane Middle school in Pennington, New Jersey. Course content explores issues in creative and critical thinking while introducing students to the techniques and materials used in artmaking and design. Topics include drawing, 3-D design, illustration, painting, typography, book design and pattern design. In the past I've taught art and digital design at Seton Hall University, Jersey City's High School of Visual and Performing Arts, Pratt University Continuing Education and Arizona State University. I hold a K-12 Teacher of Art Standard Certificate in the state of New Jersey. I’m fluent in Adobe CC and have experience running a media arts lab. Please get in touch for a complete CV.

ARTIST STATEMENT: My personal work explores feminist and feminine themes, referencing decorative art, folk art and book illustration made by women since the industrial revolution. I'm inspired by artists driven to make the world more beautiful despite their exclusion from the art academy, or lack of access to formal training. Grandma Moses, Maud Lewis, Maria Primachenko and many other artists became experts in color and craft while leaving behind a valuable social history of family, spirituality, community and the home. I’m fascinated by the ways folk and colloquial art forms and manufactured art objects — a teacup, a quilt or a children’s book — become the most treasured art in our lives. A love of history informs my work, whether I’m looking at antique rugs for inspiration or painting an object from the past, like these.

EDUCATION:
Parsons, 2004, book design
Arizona State University, 1999, MFA in printmaking and book arts
University of Wisconsin, 1997 graduate study in printmaking and book arts
Rutgers University, 1994, BA in art, BA in art history

WORK WITH ME: I’d love to help with your graphic design or illustration needs. You can email me at emily.muschinske@gmail.com.
To buy my patterns please contact my agent Michael Allison at Group Four Design Studio in New York, http://www.groupfourdesign.com.

HOME: When I'm not working I hang out with my family in Hopewell, New Jersey. And I field a lot of questions from my kids. Here are some of my favorites. 

“If a bumble bee farts, does it smell like honey?” 

and

"Can I stay home from school tomorrow? My eyebrow is loose."