Mr. Darren Herbert

Instructor & Foundation Co-Ordinator, College of Design

Area of Research interest

For the past 20 years I have immersed myself in the study, practice and teaching of art and design across a wide range of disciplines including painting, drawing, illustration, graphic design and art history.

I maintain a constructivist/ guided discovery approach to learning encouraging participants to employ transferable knowledge and skills with the aim of taking ownership of the learning process and developing self-reliance and self-actualization in their work.

My own practice is based around observational reportage of everyday life in public spaces, recording changing light, colour and human movement with an intense focus on mark-making that is impressionistic, loose and intuitive. I have always placed a high value on the benefits of first-hand observation as the first step in making good art which I then use as a stepping-stone to graphic design work and children’s illustration.

The opportunity to teach in both the UK and the UAE has been invaluable to my own practice and ensured my own revision and refinement of concepts and techniques used in my work.

Projects & Grants

N/A

Creative Works, Exhibitions, Shows & Scholarship Activities

  • 2020 Children’s book publication: Detective Zucchini and the case of the bad apple
  • 38-page children’s book aimed at 4yrs to 6yrs
  • 2019; Drawn together Wales, Cardiff
  • Individual artwork on display in 3-month national exhibition at the Millennium Centre Cardiff. Same artwork also selected for use in the main advert for the event.
  • 2018 Stand design for ComicCon booth
  • 2018 Collateral Design for ComicCon
  • 2016 Collateral Design for ComicCon
  • 2017/ 2018; Graphic Stories Cyprus, poster designs ‘Cyprus’ and ‘Evolution of E’
  • 2017/ 2018; Graphic Stories Cyprus, poster designs ‘Cyprus’ and ‘Nicosia’
  • 2017; United designs, poster design ‘Revolve’
  • 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014/ 2016; Glynn Vivian Biennial – various artworks
  • 2014 Joint exhibition AUE (Ektashef 2nd), 2014.
  • 2011 Joint exhibition AUE (Ektashef 1st), 2011.
  • 2010 Dubai RTA personalized numberplates storyboard & final artwork
  • 2010 7-Days newspaper features artist April 2010
  • 2010/2012; Ekteshef I & II, Al Serkal foundation, Al Bastakia, selection of works
  • 2008; Fusion Jumeirah, solo show
  • 2003 – 2006 Graphic Designer for Friday-Ad Media and Sales
  • 2004/ 2005; Oriel Emrys Gallery, Wales – solo show
  • 2002/ 2003; New Designers, Islington, London – selection of work
  • 1997 – present Privately commissioned artwork for various international customers

 

Conferences, workshops, International study visits

  • In process: Short courses/ professional workshops, online learning in the community, AUE
  • Assistant, CDES international design conference 2019 – Panel discussion host
  • Assistant, CDES international design conference 2018
  • Assistant, CDES international design conference 2017
  • Assistant, CDES international design conference 2016
  • Assistant, CDES international design conference 2015 – presented research on drawing in the landscape
  • Assistant-Curator of AUE Art & Design Exhibition, 2015
  • Assistant-Curator of AUE (Ektashef 2nd), 2014
  • Organiser/ trip leader CDES International visit to London 2018 – Guest speaker at the Royal college of arts
  • Organiser/ trip leader CDES International visit to Japan 2017
  • Organiser/ trip leader CDES International visit to Spain 2014
  • Organiser/ trip leader CDES International visit to Rome 2013 - Guest speaker at the University of Rome, Sapienza
  • Assistant-curator of AUE (Ektashef 1st), 2011
  • Assistant curator Lotus Institute of art & design 2009/ 10
TOP