Darryl

Creative to the core
44 years oldGraphic/Visual DesignCome from South Africa Living in Shenzhen
Language: English
Mandarin: a little

South African by nationality, Chinese in culture with a conscious decision to identify as a global citizen. Fast approaching 2 decades living in, working in and experiencing the energy and dynamism that is China. I’m married with two sons.

Design Director
M.A.D.E DESIGN MCG
Mar 2021 - Now(3 years)

COMPANY INTRODUCTION: Working one-on-one with clients from architecture and interiors to branding and digital identity, M.A.D.E delivers a complete solution all in one place. DUTIES: ✓ Met with clients to discuss their needs and the design elements they want ✓ Interpreted abstract business concepts and client briefs and turning them into creative ideas ✓ Developed strategic design plans with projected timelines and budgets ✓ Created storyboards and mockups for clients and the design team to visualise the completed project ✓ Pitched ideas and the creative vision to the client and communicated the project outline to the design team ✓ Chose the design elements for different projects ✓ Oversaw the design projects, from start to finish, and monitoring the staff members to ensure they adhere to the budget and timeline constraints ✓ Reviewed feedback from clients and made alterations according to the clients' needs ✓ Analysed market research to create more effective designs

Creative Director and Founder (On-going advisory role)
Nine Rivers Distillery Company
Sep 2019 - Dec 2022(3 years)

I joined the Nine Rivers Distillery project as a founder, an investor and also the Creative Director. I lead the creative team on all aspects of the visual identity of Nine Rivers Distillery, ranging from traditional branding and design right through to the design and execution of glass, packaging and everything in between.

Creative Director and Founder
D MAJOR DESIGN
Jul 2014 - Mar 2021(7 years)

COMPANY INTRODUCTION: D Major Design is a Shenzhen based, internationally active digital studio that develops brands, content and media for a connected world. The company brings together creative minds in the fields of graphic design, branding, way-finding signage, copywriting and digital marketing in crafting effective communications. DUTIES: ✓ Worked with the team to produce new ideas for client branding, promotional campaigns, and marketing communications. ✓ Evaluated trends, assessing new data, and kept up-to-date with the latest branding & marketing techniques ✓ Assisted clients in resolving issues by responding to questions in a timely and professional manner ✓ Created and implemented tailored branding plans based on individual client requirements ✓ Directed brainstorming meetings and creative sessions ✓ Shaped brand standards and created procedures to ensure all visual output was brand appropriate ✓ Supervised the company’s daily workflow, assigned project workloads, and monitored deadlines and budgets ✓ Developed exceptional and well-crafted copy that meet clients’ requirements.

Senior Graphic Designer and Copywriter
GLOBAL REGENCY LTD., SODASPARKLE INT. LTD (SHENZHEN)
May 2010 - Jul 2014(4 years)

COMPANY INTRODUCTION: Worked with various international retailers and distributors producing everything from packaging design to presentations to marketing materials. DUTIES: ✓ Applied and coordinated the designs across the brand offering ✓ Gave input to the conceptual, creative and design processes ✓ Utilised good awareness of the design process to question, challenge briefs and solve design problems creatively ✓ Took the lead on design projects, internally and externally with clients ✓ Visited printers to ensure quality and learn about print production ✓ Developed on the spot solutions to stick to deadlines and budgets ✓ Communicated directly to the CEO and Chairman of the company ✓ Learned new skills and refining older skills as required on projects

TEFL SOCIETY
, TESOL CERTIFICATION
Jul 2020 - Oct 2020(3 months)

TESOL CERTIFICATION

ECHO COMMUNICATIONS
, VOCAL SKILLS TRAINING & EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Jul 2004 - Nov 2004(4 months)

DIPLOMA IN VOCAL SKILLS TRAINING & EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

HARRIS COLLEGE
, CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN
Nov 1999 - Dec 2003(4 years)

BA DEGREE CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN