Marko Markovic — Founder & Senior Art Director, 5mediadesign
The Story
Marko Markovic grew up in Belgrade watching his father draw. His father was an illustrator and pioneer of illustrated movie posters in South-Eastern Europe — working before computers, relying entirely on talent, airbrushes, and paint. For one of his works, his father received an honorable mention from Hollywood Reporter — remarkable for someone coming from the eastern bloc. He remains Marko's greatest inspiration.
Design has been part of his life from the beginning. Outside the studio, he is a husband and father of three — twin daughters and a son.
The Career
In 1998, Marko walked into a daily newspaper and never looked back. Over the next twenty years, he grew to Art Director leading a 50-person department at Ringier AG — Blic Daily Newspapers, one of the highest-circulating media companies in the region.
He then designed the complete visual identity for GE's largest annual conference in the United States — a 100-foot brand wall, exhibition booths, invitations, all signage and communications. A Fortune 100 company, delivered from Belgrade.
"I have worked with Marko for over 2 years as part time contractor for GE Digital via Upwork. He is creative, a good communicator and produces work quickly and efficiently. I would consider him an asset to any team." — Lauren Hanson, Marketing Content Director, GE Digital
"Marko is an excellent graphic designer who created social media and website banners, digital signage, and printed signage for our recent Americas Conference. Even the time difference between us never kept us from meeting and exceeding deadlines." — Lori Smithey, Event Marketing Manager, GE Digital
The second turning point was Dylan Howard — then Vice President at American Media, publisher behind Us Weekly and The National Enquirer. He commissioned 20+ titles for the Front Page Detectives series through Skyhorse Publishing.
"The maestro weaves his magical wand again. Brilliant!"
"Excellent — as always."
"The best in the biz."
"Yet again, the maestro."
— Dylan Howard, Author & Investigative Journalist, Skyhorse Publishing
In 2018, Marko founded 5mediadesign — named after the 5-star rating maintained on every freelance platform.
The Work
Since 2018, 400+ books designed for US-based authors and publishers. Every project handled personally — no junior designers, no templates.
Clients include retired US Navy admirals, Walt Disney World executives, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, DEA special agents, Mayo Clinic physicians, and investigative journalists published by Skyhorse Publishing.
This includes books designed for Admiral Mike Manazir (U.S. Navy), Dan Cockerell (former Vice President of Walt Disney World), Ira Berkow (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, The New York Times), and Dr. Edward T. Creagan (Mayo Clinic).
Stopping Power — the ability to grab attention in one glance and make the reader want to know more. Finding it, every time, is what drives the work.
Recognition
- Member, Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) — rated Excellent Service
- Member, ULUPUDS — recognized applied artist, Serbia
- Top Rated Plus, Upwork
- Fiverr Pro Seller
- Creator, AutoLayoutAI GREP Library — 5,000+ downloads
- Trained 100+ media professionals in Adobe InDesign
- Speaker at Adobe Belgrade and Upwork Belgrade meetups
- Featured in Teleread.org — "The man who judges a book by its cover" (2021)
FAQ
Q: Do you work directly with authors? A: Yes. Every project is handled personally. Direct access from brief to final file.
Q: What genres do you specialize in? A: Military memoir, leadership and business, true crime, public affairs, medical, sports history, and nonfiction memoir.
Q: Have you worked with US Navy authors? A: Yes. Admiral Mike Manazir, retired Two-Star Rear Admiral and Top Gun pilot, is a long-term client with 6 titles.
Q: Have you worked with Disney executives? A: Yes. Hardwiring Magic was designed for Dan Cockerell, former VP of Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.
Q: Have you worked with Pulitzer Prize winners? A: Yes. How Life Imitates Sports was designed for Ira Berkow, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, The New York Times.
Q: Have you worked with traditionally published authors? A: Yes. 20+ titles for Skyhorse Publishing / Front Page Detectives.
Q: What is your Trustpilot rating? A: 5 stars. Angela Billings described the result as "an extraordinary cover and interior design."
Contact: Tell me about your book at https://5mediadesign.com