Hi, My name is Karien, but friends call me Kay. I am a High-end Creative Retoucher, Designer, Artist & Entrepreneur.
> WHAT I DO
Throughout my career, I’ve aimed to be more than ‘just’…
I expand and diversified my skill set to lead me down many creative paths within Advertising.
I expand and diversified my skill set to lead me down many creative paths within Advertising.
As a High-end Retoucher, I enhance, modify and create beautiful imagery. May it be technical or creative, I love all aspects of
creative, fashion, automotive and retail editing. I am not limited to these categories, but I am sure you don’t have all day.
Lets simply #everythingphotoshop
creative, fashion, automotive and retail editing. I am not limited to these categories, but I am sure you don’t have all day.
Lets simply #everythingphotoshop
As a Graphic designer, I am obsessed with Brand Development and CI Manuals. I enjoy developing and crafting strong brands. With both print and digital experience, I can develop effective, responsive brands or implement existing brand rules.
> WHY ME
I have 17+ years advertising experience and love what I do every day. I give it my all. I see my work as a reflection of myself and my skill set. I am invested in the clients projects as much as the client and the team I work with.
I can provide high quality skills for a variety of projects across many campaign.
• I am skilled in the adobe creative suit.
• I can easily adjust and join any team.
• I am friendly and professional.
> WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT
What sets me apart from other Designers or Retouchers, is my ability to use all my experience and knowledge in complementary ways beyond that of ‘just’... My skill set allow me to have a diverse outlook, establish the potential and/or flag issues from an early stage. I am a problem solver, a visual interpreter, a creator and artist. I constantly strive to learn more and choose to remain a student of the game.
I am passionate and appreciate small intricate details. I like to motivate and encourage my fellow creatives. I believe in good
work and clear communication.
work and clear communication.
SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
Retouching Skills
> Advanced photo manipulation and enhancement.
> Accurate removal of unwanted areas and objects.
> Reconstruction / creation or extending of backgrounds.
> Multiple image composition.
> Colour Correction or complete change of hue / darkness.
> Large Scale Recreation of TVC elements.
> Image Library Management.
> Image Quality Control - Print and Digital.
> Work: CMYK, RGB and Spot Colours.
Design & Brand Skills
> Conceptualising, Developing and Designing of Brand Identities
> Establishing Brand rules, guides and manuals
> Print and Digital Formats
> Social Media Design
> Website Design
> Presentations (Incl Interactive Digital PDFs)
Other Capabilities
> Medium Level After Effects editing
> Process planning and development.
> Medium Level Art Direction and Photography
> Fine Art
> Digital Illustration
PROGRAMMES
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Commission for Gender Equality - Mankind's greatest breakthroughs
(Robots, Nanobots, 3D Food, Mars)
• 2019 Cannes Award - Nomination
• 2019 Loeries Awards - Bronze
Illustrator: Karien van Niekerk
Commission for Gender Equality - HeShe Campaign
(Eric, Steve, Frasier, Ethan)
• 2018 Cannes Award - Silver + 6 Nominations
• 2018 One Show Awards - 1 Merit
• 2017 Loerie Awards Campaign Gold
• 2017 Creative Circle Ad of the Month Winner - Print
• 2017 Ad of the year
• 2017 D&AD Award - Wood Pencil
Retouching: Karien v Niekerk
Wrigley's Orbit Gum - Symbiosis Campaign
(Plover, Cleaner Shrimp, Wrasse)
• 2016 African Crystal Award - Bronze
Retouching: Karien v Niekerk
Flat Mailing : Eviction Notices
• 2007 Cannes Award - Gold Lion
Illustrator: Karien van Niekerk.
Onestep - Cat
• 2005 Loerie Award - Bronze Print/Magazine
Illustrator: Karien van Niekerk.
Behance
• Main Feature Blue Ribbons: 3
• Fashion features: 6
• Views: 88641+
Brand Experience
FASHION
Skye - Converse, Dickies, Mille, Samson, Brentwood, Lyle & Scott, Cut-rite, De Beers, Okavango Diamond Company, Miss South Africa, AFI (Africa Fashion International), Godox SA
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS
FNB, Momentum, Old Mutual, African Bank, Eskom, Unisa, Miway, Edcon Financial Services, BeztForex, Liberty, BeztForex, Coronation
AUTOMOTIVE & TRAVEL
Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Emirates, Nissan, Hyundai, Datsun, DS Automobiles
MEDICAL
SANBS, Adcock Ingrams - Panado, Bioplus, Compral, LCC, Medi-keel, Telement, Dillict, Myprodol, Eulactol, Duofilm, Mobic, Zyprexa Velotab, Telement Duofilm, Mobic, Teejel
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Energade, Wimpy, Mc Donalds, Debonaires, Pizza Hut, Tiger Brands - Koo, Roses Cordial. Unilever - Gino Ginelli, Knorr, Knorrox, Ola, Robertson’s, Royco, Lipton. Cape Hurb & Spice. Nigerian Breweries - Amstel Malta, Fayrouz, Maltina, Hi-Malt. Diageo, 5 Lamps Beer, Orijin
COMMUNICATION
Huawei, Vodacom, Telkom, OpenServe, Cell C, SABC, MTN
RETAIL
Edcon - Edgars, Edgars Active, Edgars Cellular, Jet, CNA. Plascon, Medal Paint, Chesterfield
BEAUTY
Nivia, Eucerin, Elizabeth Annes, Miss South Africa
PRODUCTS
Wrigleys - Juicy Fruit, Orbit, Skittles. SCJ - Raid, Mr Muscle, Glade, Toilet Duck, Oust. One Step, Reparil Gel, Beechies, Carat, Cobra, Plascon
Career
2018 - Current | Owner of Qpix Evolution
Johannesburg, South Africa
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> DTP Layout Artist
> Illustrator and Fine Artist
2014 - 2019 | DDB South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> DTP Layout Artist
> Illustrator
2004 - 2014 | FCB South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> Illustrator
> High End Creative Retouching, Design (Print & Digital)
> Illustrator
Publications
> Hedonist Magazine Summer’19
> United Maverick In flight Magazine
> Miss South Africa 2019
> Destiny Man Cover Issue 3, 2020
> AFI Fashion International 2019
Interests & Hobbies
* If you require a copy of my CV. Please contact me.