CONTACT
CURRICULUM VITAE
I’m currently working as a senior contract designer with an emphasis on conceptual and design development. I have 15 years design experience working on a wide range of projects: from developing and conceptualising creative briefs; creating complete identities; developing brands; to managing creative studios. I have also experience with visual semiotics working with agencies on a consultancy bases.
I have a versatile design skill set that enables me to tackle projects from concept right through to finished art with extensive experience working conceptually with both corporate clients and on public art projects. I’m passionate about design and have a perfectionist’s eye for detail and approach each project with enthusiasm, commitment and integrity.
Mark Robert Henning : Name
Netherlands, South Africa : Citizenship
The Netherlands : Location
Creative Direction, Branding Design, Campaign identities, Conceptual Development : Skills
15 years + : Work experience
Master of Arts (Ma), Social Design. Cum Laude. Design Academy Eindhoven.2015-2017 : Tertiary Education
University of Pretoria. South Africa. BA (Hons) Information Design.1998-2001 : Tertiary Education
Pretoria Boys High School. South Africa. : Secondary Education
Art HG, English HG, Afrikaans HG, Mathematics HG, Science HG, Computer Science HG. : University Entrance
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Concept development and creative direction on various different types of projects from branding to public art projects.
Experience ranges from branding design, packaging, to through the line campaign identities.
Worked closely with agencies to develop an understanding and presentations for visual semiotics.
Creative team management from the conception to the implementation of design projects.
Able to adapt to a wide range of graphic styles required, yet still strive to create a unique approach.
Extensive knowledge of reproduction & print. Grew up in a family of graphic artist and printers, hence I have acquired the foresight into the advantageous application of these skills into design applications. I also able to do complex final artwork & manage the print production thereof.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2012: 1st prize in the Design Indaba Your Street competition, a World Design Capital initiative. Design Indaba (Interactive Africa) entered the project in the 15th Annual Business Day BASA Awards where it was awarded Best Single Strategic Project in August 2012 by an independant panel of judges.
2001: Received a student British Design and Art Direction Award D&AD (Yellow Pencil) Commendation: Ambient media.
2001 to 2014 – OVERVIEW OF CAREER AND CLIENTS
2018: Co-Curator. 4th Istanbul Design Biennial Istanbul/Netherlands.
Concept development, design research and production management for a commissioned installation for the biennial. The installation titled A Body of Trust explores the body as an instrument of measurement when exploring the intangible topic of trust.
Design research, exhibition design, spatial design, production management.
2017 to 2018: Graphic and Exhibition Designer. Matera. European Capital of Culture. 2019 Matera, Italy.
Artistic Director: Joseph Grima. Collaboration: Lukas Wegwerth. Working closely with architects, local craftsmen and stakeholders to conceptualise and realise a spatial intervention within a public building, and the designing of social interactions within that space. The project also required the development of wayfinding solutions, exhibition design and graphic solutions for exhibition display.
Graphic design, exhibition design, spatial design, designed interactions.
2013 to date: Contract designer. Mark Henning Ltd. Cape Town/London/Netherlands.
Working as a contract designer for design studios and advertising agencies while still servicing my own client base. Clients: Design Bridge, Amsterdam. Clear M&C Saatchi, London. The Brand Union, Cape Town: SAB/Miller: Castle Lager/ Darkie collaboration, Castle Milk Stout packaging, Environment design. Pernod Richard: Red Heart Rum. 20th South African Music Awards.
2010 to 2013: Co-founder of Blackhat and Nimbus Design Solutions. Cape Town.
A cooperative partnership between myself and Hannah Williams (strategist). The company specialises in high-end design solutions but was also actively involved in developing public artworks and socially responsible design initiatives. Responsible for everything from taking briefs, client liaison, creative direction, right through to final artwork and production. Clients: The Brand Union, Johannesburg: Forte Oil: Packaging design. King James RSVP, Cape Town: Sanlam. Blue Moon Communications: Sasol Ltd. Radar: Old Mutual. Liberty Life. 19th South African Music Awards. City of Cape Town: MyCiti bus rapid transit: Large scale public artworks. Design Indaba – Your Street initiative. Informal transport maps. City of Ghent and Africalia: A collaborative public artwork.
2009 to 2010: Head of Design. Fuel Design. Cape Town.
A small boutique studio focusing on book covers, local event identities and poster design. Clients: Ogilvy & Mather SA and Coley Porter Bell, Cape Town: Super 15 rugby identity development.
2009: Lecturer. Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Cape Town.
I gained valuable experience communicating and formulating design theory, micro managing junior designers and evaluating the design process.
2007 to 2009: Contract Freelance Designer. Johannesburg.
Clients: King James RSVP, Johannesburg: Famous Brands: Steers, House of Coffees. Silver Star Casino. Cross Colours: Nandos Rex Creative JHB: Dulux, The Lowe Bull Group, Look and Listen.
2006 to 2007: Senior Designer. King James RSVP JHB. Johannesburg.
I worked on a range of projects: from identities; to promotions; to industrial projects. I gained invaluable experience managing the studio and the creative process. Clients: BMW Group: BMW, MINI. Famous Brands: Steers, House of Coffees, Milky Lane. Independent Newspapers: The Star, Cape Argus, Cape Times.
2004 to 2006: Designer/Art director. The Jupiter Drawing Room JHB. Johannesburg.
I was offered the opportunity to work closely alongside the award winning Creative Head, Graham Warsop, developing the new direction for the retail brand, Edgars. I gained valuable experience working on a retail account, art directing photography as well as working with photographers and stylists.
2002 to 2004: Junior Designer. A&T Design Consultants. Johannesburg.
This was an excellent opportunity to ‘learn the trade’ under two experienced and talented designers. I had the opportunity to work on some really exciting projects, such as the VH1 Cubed identity. Here I also developed my finished art skills, as the junior in a small agency I doubled up as DTP. Clients: VH1. Anglogold, Coca Cola, Lovelife/Kaiser Foundation, South African Music Awards, Mauritian Breweries Ltd.
GRAPHIC SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE
Adobe CS6/CC Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign + Freehand. Google Sketchup.
