About
I am a graphic designer who loves designing anything where type and image work together to communicate a story. I am a collaborator, happiest as part of a leadership team working together to establish and implement a vision or a brand identity. I have extensive experience defining an audience, using design to serve marketing needs, and producing within the constraints of the real world.
I provide design and creative direction for digital, print and web projects for clients of all sizes from the local bookstore to the United Nations Development Programme, with publishers, university museums, and non-profits in between. I am also the Creative Director for Functional Nutritional Alliance, a functional nutrition clinic and training program.
As a Design Director at Chronicle Books, I designed literally hundreds of books! Since I was the design director for the Custom Publishing program for many years, I got to art direct books for clients including Starbucks, Nordstrom, BabyGap, Anthropologie, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma, Tommy Bahama, Smucker, Driscoll’s, Nordstrom, wineries, law firms, and arts institutions such as Alvin Ailey, SF Ballet, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. I also art directed and designed all types of books, products, and decks, from art books to cookbooks as well as narrative and inspirational nonfiction. Best-sellers include The Beatles Anthology, Gods of Soccer by Men in Blazers, Wear it Well by Allison Bornstein, and Life as We Know It (Can Be) by CNN climate correspondent Bill Weir.
I am slightly obsessed with healthy food and nutrition, Buddhism, and doing puzzles. I currently live outside New York City with my husband, son, and two incompatible cats.
Awards and Recognition from: AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers, AIGA 365, Bookbuilders West, Graphic Design USA, PRINT Magazine Annual, Publishing Professionals Network
email pg [at] pamelageismar.com
Photo by Ken Dornstein
“Thanks very much for all your stylish and careful work on the layouts, and for navigating the client relationship so deftly. I hope we can work together again in the future!”
“Pamela is an extremely talented designer and art director and her superpower is communication! Her communication with non-designers is so thoughtful, advisory, and efficient that I have said several times that she should write a book or give a talk on her approach.”
“Working with Pamela on my debut book ‘Wear it Well’ was an absolute pleasure. Pamela has a gentle and thoughtful approach that not only eased the process but elevated it entirely. She helped to translate my ideas into beautiful designs, guiding my creative vision with expertise and ease. I am so grateful for her invaluable contribution to bringing by book to life!!!”