E. Maurice Robinson-Cook

Creative energy never rests and Maurice Robinson-Cook, founder of EM Designs Group, is an incessant conduit of artistry.

Even as a student at Overbrook High School, the Philadelphia native flaunted his innate talents in the famed Art Magnet Program. At the urge of his art teacher, who noticed the work of the talented youth was polished enough to compete with any seasoned graphic designer, Cook pursued and acquired a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design/Fine Arts from the University of The Arts. After a couple of years of adjusting to life in the workforce, the proficient designer quickly learned that his industrialized hometown could not cultivate his talents. With one phone call, Cook flew to Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games for a week. At the end of the trip, the fearless jet setter seized a new job and a new life.

Over the course of five years, Robinson-Cook perfected his craft, working with the likes of The Atlanta Voice, CVI Publishing and HAAS Publishing. His creative genius, however, became flagrant while working as creative art director at Atlanta Gas & Light Company. During his tenure, Cook introduced advertising design to the company and played a crucial role in getting them to combine their video and graphic department, launching the company’s first multi-media center. As the lead designer, the talented trailblazer created Atlanta Gas & Light’s first intranet and internet websites. He also oversaw the designs of their in-kind/community marketing materials. In addition to his full-time job, he also received a plethora of freelance work, which produced an impressive portfolio. After years of creating cutting-edge campaigns that exceeded the expectations of clients, the natural born entrepreneur decided to step out on faith and start his own agency. Thus, in 2005, Cook established EM Designs Group.

EM Designs Group is a one-stop-shop offering all branding and marketing materials, which include logos, brochures, advertising, direct mail, as well as web design and video production. His clients include Fairview Chapel Memorial Gardens, the Atlanta Voice, NFDMA, Rehoboth Fellowship of Atlanta to name a few. The chic boutique agency is inundated with commercial development accounts from the likes of Columbia Residential, Capital Development, SUMECH, Essence Realty, SRES Properties and Infinity Development Group. As the principal creative director, Robinson-Cook is the mastermind behind the branding and marketing materials for a series of highly publicized development projects: Park Place South, Columbia Edgewood and The Martin House. 

As an openly black gay male and an advocate of the LGBT community, the savvy businessman utilizes his creative calling in several humanitarian projects. Maurice has donated his time as a volunteer for several community organizations such as Second Sunday, Brothers Back to Back, Phyre, and Deeper Love. Maurice is the founder of The Intimacy Group, which are weekend intimacy retreats where men learn the art of having intimacy without sex, self love, reliability and accountability. In addition, Maurice has blessed our community with his design talents yearly at Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride Celebrations from the years 1998-2006. Today Maurice is the Co-Chair for Southern Unity Movement in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maurice’s call to action was his own life awareness. One day the young entrepreneur states, “I saw myself in the mirror and did not like what was staring back at me, I didn’t love myself, nor others, I was alone, living in a very dark space, trifflin’ and just plain ol’ tired.” At that moment Maurice decided that it was time to make a change and become the very change that he often spoke about but never lived up to. It was my introduction to Tony Daniels that led me on the path of self-love and self-worth. Tony was a bright light to me, an encourager. I watched him work tirelessly in the community and noticed how much he loved our brothers and sisters and never thought enough was enough. Today I work daily at keeping Tony alive in my work, my relationships, and my community. 

Maurice’s life philosophy is “Operating in Excellence is the standard”

Take a look at his advertising/design agency

www.emdgllc.com