Deepening Connections by Design

Public Studio connects people through thoughtfully designed creative solutions.

Designing for good-doers since 2012. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1000+ hours working with 10K+ community members developing 1000+ designs reaching 100K+ audience.

Public | Connecting People

Director Heather Mallak leverages fifteen plus years of experience supporting cultural, non-profit, innovation and education landscapes in the Pittsburgh region and surrounding areas. Heather's training is in visual design and interactive media while her passion is innovation, communication and connectedness. Expanding her perspectives through each new project, she utilizes community as her canvas.

1000+ hours working with 10K+ community members

Studio | Creative Services

We bring a playful and accessible, yet highly organized and succinct approach. As strategic partners from idea to implementation, we co-empower partners with tailored and responsive strategies that amplify and propel their work. These efforts have resulted in fine-tuned user experiences for varied audiences and tangible resources that have provided the foundation for innovation and informed growth.

1000+ designs developed 100K+ audience reached

Our multi-faceted approach to design yields solutions as unique and diverse as your audiences.

Process:

Listen + Learn

Engage in discussions around the project goals to help inform how we will achieve them.

Understand + Imagine

Investigate and take into consideration numerous factors to develop project potentials.

Propose + Implement

Present creative solutions to partners, iterate as needed and plan project roll out.

Document + Debrief

Share insights on the approaches used and the successes through measured outcomes.

We manage special projects, support new initiatives and develop impactful communications strategies.

Areas of Expertise + Interest:

  • ACCESSIBILITY

  • ARCHITECTURE

  • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATIONS

  • EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

  • EQUITY + INCLUSION

  • GAME DESIGN

  • HOSPITALITY

  • INNOVATION 

  • SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

  • SOCIAL REPAIR

  • SOCIAL MOBILITY 

  • STEAM K-16

  • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Clients: Recent and Past Partners

  • ABC CREATE

    Penn State New Kensington

  • 412AbilityTech

    Jewish Federation

  • Carlow University

    School of Eduction

  • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

    Teen Programming

  • Girls, Math & Science Partnership

    Carnegie Science Center

  • Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship

    Chatham Univrsity

  • de-bias

    Leaders of Change

  • Senator John Heinz History Center

    Education Department

  • Mobile Quest CoLab

    Institute of Play

  • Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

    Education Department

  • Social Impact Design

    Neighborhood Allies

  • Remake Learning

    Allegheny Intermediate Unit

  • Triboro Ecodistrict

    New Sun Rising

  • Center for Arts and Education

    West Liberty University

  • CREATE Lab

    Carnegie Mellon University

Testimonials: What Partners Say About Working With Public Studio

  • “Heather’s contributions to our work extend beyond the immediately visible in images, designs, and words; she brings perspectives, experiences, skills, knowledge, and connections that thoughtfully push our thinking, conscientiously introduce us to opportunities for growth and change, and strategically guide us to creating avenues for communication that highlight not only our offerings, but also our intentions and our achievements. Heather’s vision and ongoing commitment to our mission are key to ABC CREATE’s success.”


    Colleen Smith, STE(A)M Outreach Coordinator | Penn State New Kensington, ABC CREATE

  • “Heather does an excellent job of blending creativity and skill to create unique and well-designed pieces that meet client needs. She was always responsive to feedback and made the iterative design process productive and fun. We worked on a range of projects with Heather, from traditional print pieces that were flyers and handouts to digital and logo design, all of which met or exceeded our expectations and needs. We always enjoyed working with Heather and she was a favorite design partner.”

    Mariruth Leftwich Ph.D., Former Director of Education | Senator John Heinz History Center

  • “Heather Mallak's transformative work with Neighborhood Allies' Social Impact Design team showcases a profound commitment to community enrichment. From innovative design workshops that bridge generations to crafting engaging events, Heather seamlessly blends creativity with community connection. Collaborating to secure resources and engage local businesses, Heather's dedication to holistic neighborhood empowerment ensures each project leaves a lasting impact, shaping vibrant, inclusive spaces for all.”


    Tamara Emswiler, Senior Program Manager | Neighborhood Allies' Social Impact Design