As long as I can remember, storytelling has been a passion of mine. The first major purchase I ever made was the book, The Art of Walt Disney. It was over 450 pages, weighed 8 lbs. and cost over $75. It was 1973. I was 13 years old. Decades later, Disney’s combination of ideas, words and visuals told stories that still shape new generations.  

In high school I created original superhero characters and drew full-length comic books. And in college and during the past thirty years, I have also been drawn to the creative process of the theater by designing and directing many productions. Again, telling a story with visuals and words and connecting emotionally with an audience.

I didn’t even know what graphic design was until I was a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I planned to declare medical illustration as my major. After one intro class to graphic design, I knew my career path was forever altered. I earned a BFA in graphic design with honors and was ready to take on the world.

I loved the methodology of creating a strong visual solution to a real world problem; exploring typography; and uncovering the emotional impact of color and image. Being a little “obsessive,” I enjoyed the attention to detail. My formal education occurred years before even the glimmer of an idea for the Apple Computer entered the creative minds of Jobs and Wozniak. Although I love my Mac, I still start every project brainstorming on actual paper with an actual writing instrument. This exercise helps me to focus on conceptual thinking and original solutions.

I have been working now in the field of graphic design and visual communication for more than 25 years. After years of working for and learning from other creative professionals, I opened Mark Duebner Design Inc. in 1995 where I continue to blend strategic thinking with captivating design. I am committed to providing sophisticated solutions to a variety of for-profit and non-profit clients to enhance their success and bring visual originality to their communications.

I am a member of the AIGA, the professional association for design, and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. My work has been featured in LogoLounge Master Library, Volume 4, Letterhead and Logo Design 4, The 2011 and 2008 American Graphic Design Awards Annuals, and Bright Ideas in Logo Design and Graphic Design from Around the World Volumes 1.