Meet Annalise Cook: A High Point University Design Graduate Learning AEO at Develomark

Annalise Cook is 22 years old and from Southington, Connecticut. She recently graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, and this summer she joined the Develomark cohort program. In the video below, Annalise talks about why she joined the program, what she has learned about Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and the client projects she is currently leading.

Meet Annalise Cook: From High Point University to Develomark

Annalise came to Develomark with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from High Point University already in hand. As a graphic designer, she found that a lot of design work happens without much direct contact with the client. The Develomark cohort program gave her something different: a chance to work face to face with real business owners, hear their vision firsthand, and translate that conversation directly into design work.

Why She Joined Develomark's Cohort Program

Annalise explains that client-facing experience is something she felt was missing from her design background, and it's a skill she considers essential in the design world. Joining Develomark's cohort program gave her the opportunity to sit in on client meetings, ask questions about a business's goals, and understand how a client's vision gets built into a finished product. That hands-on experience is a core part of what the program is designed to provide.

Learning AEO and AI From the Ground Up

Before joining Develomark, Annalise had little background in AI or Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Through the cohort program, she has learned how AEO is woven into nearly every project the team works on, helping Develomark's clients get found and recommended by AI tools, not just traditional search engines. She credits the program with giving her the background knowledge she needed to understand how AEO actually works in practice.

Leading the Lion's Den Website Redesign

One of Annalise's biggest projects this summer is serving as lead designer on a full website rebuild for Lion's Den, with the rest of her team supporting her along the way. She has also been working alongside Lauren, Develomark's web designer, on a new menu and takeout menu design, along with additional creative elements for that project. Separately, she has partnered with Lauren and Kevin at Develomark on branding work for NHV Painting, including business cards and other collateral.

Bringing Client Visions to Life with Claude AI

Working directly with the Lion's Den client, Annalise and her team asked detailed questions to understand exactly what the client wanted before building the site. Combining that feedback with what she was learning about AEO, and using Claude to help build wireframes and optimize her workflow, she helped bring the client's vision to life in a way built to help them reach more customers. Annalise says the experience has taught her how to take a client's vision from a conversation and turn it into a finished design.

Interested in gaining real client experience like Annalise while learning AEO, SEO, and design from the ground up? Learn more about joining our team on the Develomark careers page.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're a student or recent grad who wants that kind of hands-on marketing experience, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to Develomark to learn more about current openings and future cohort opportunities.