Emily Oberman, a partner at Pentagram’s New York office, recently guided students of the MFAD department on an insightful tour of the Pentagram office, offering them a real-world look at professional design in practice. A multidisciplinary designer known for her work in brand identity, motion graphics, publications, packaging, advertising, and websites, Emily has a rich background that includes studying design and filmmaking at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Her career took off at M&Co., where she collaborated with Tibor Kalman on projects for clients like Knoll and Talking Heads. In 1993, she co-founded the design studio Number Seventeen, which she led for 17 years before joining Pentagram in 2012.

Emily’s design approach is unique in its ability to blur the lines between promotion and design, often using language and humor to create an emotional connection with the audience. Her client list is a testament to her versatility and impact, including NBC Universal, DC Entertainment, Film Independent, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, such as the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Award from Cooper Union and the AIGA Medal for her distinguished contributions to the field. Recognized by Fast Company as one of the year’s 100 most creative people in business, Emily has also served on the national board of AIGA and taught at prestigious institutions like Yale University School of Art, Cooper Union, and Parsons The New School for Design.