Meet the Team
Arden University’s Graphic Design courses are taught by a team of experienced lecturers who each bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the modules they teach. Here to ensure that you gain the skills needed by today’s employers, our graphic design lecturers are enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate. What’s more, each lecturer has helped to build and shape the contents of the degree, alongside industry-leading professionals from the world of graphic design.
Whether you’re thinking of becoming a fully-fledged graphic designer or you’re studying a degree to expand your horizons in bigger industries - such as computing or marketing - our graphic design lecturers will help you make an immediate and real impact on any career path you choose. Whatever your reasons for studying a graphic design course, we promise to deliver high-value programmes that provide students with the skills they need to meet employers' needs, from the very start of your career and beyond.
You can meet the team behind your degree below.
Professor Marcus Leaning is Head of the School of Design and Creativity. Marcus joined Arden University in 2023 and has worked in universities for over 25 years. He has taught in the UK, Thailand, Japan and Costa Rica, is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a National Teaching Fellow. He is the author or editor of eight books, numerous journal articles and has given over 80 conference papers and keynotes in over 30 countries. Marcus is particularly interested in assisting neurodiverse students achieve their potential. Outside of academia, Marcus is a practicing ceramicist / potter and specialises in medieval-influenced pitchers and other historical forms.
Pernille Holm is a Danish visual artist and educator based in London and Kent. Since obtaining a PhD in Fine Art from Goldsmith College in 2006, she has dedicated a large part of her professional life to teaching art and design. Pernille is a self-confessed art fanatic, and never tires of talking about and looking at art, as well as creating a dialogue with her students. As an artist, Pernille has exhibited widely across Britain and in Europe, working with a variety of media, including drawing, printmaking, photography, video, and installation.
Stefanie Krynauw is an enthusiastic designer with a love for art and design. She has experience in 2D and 3D design, mainly focusing on illustration, corporate identity, packaging and product design. Stefanie has more than 16 years of experience in the design industry and has enjoyed teaching and sharing knowledge with students over the last 6 years. Stefanie has degrees in both Graphic and Industrial Design and is working on obtaining an MA in Design at the University of Johannesburg.
Darko Kokic is a multimedia practitioner and graphic design lecturer at Arden University, and takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and experience to a worldwide student audience. With over ten years of in-class lecturing experience, Darko has developed and taught several unique courses in a variety of creative fields. He also has more than a decade of practical expertise in the areas of visual communications design, advertising, motion graphics, animation, and digital video.
Ready to get started with your degree? Take a look at your options by finding out more about our courses here.