Taurai Valerie Mtake | Graphic Designer, Creative Designer, Typeface Designer
Born and raised in Harare Zimbabwe
Currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden | With 10 years industry experience
EXPERIENCE
HÄNDER | Editorial Designer for Kristina Skantze | October 2022 – January 2023 | Stockholm, Sweden.
Grafikens Hus | Project based Graphic Designer | December 2021 – May 2022 | Stockholm, Sweden.
CBZ Holdings (Financial services conglomerate) | InHouse Graphic Designer | November 2019 – August 2021 | Harare, Zimbabwe.
Shift Engage (Advertising agency) | Creative Designer | November 2018 – October 2019 | Harare, Zimbabwe.
Quill Advertising and Marketing (Advertising agency) | Creative Director | July 2018 – October 2018 | Harare, Zimbabwe.
TBWA\, Grid Worldwide Branding (Pty) Ltd)| Junior Graphic Designer | October 2017 – March 2018 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mycalture Marketing CC | Graphic Designer | January 2017 – September 2017 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
Triple M Graphic Arts | Freelance Editorial Designer (Internship) | April 2015 – December 2015 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
Niceworks | Junior Graphic Designer (Internship | June 2015 – July 2015 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
Arnoldino Media | Part time Junior Graphic Designer | January 2013 – December 2013 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
BlueApple | Part time remote Junior Graphic Designer | January 2013 – December 2013 | Harare, Zimbabwe.
EDUCATION
MFA in Visual Communication at Konstfack | June 2023 | Konstfack Stockholm, Sweden.
BA Honours in Visual Communication at Greenside Design Center College of Design | 2016 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
BA Degree Graphic Design at Greenside Design Center College of Design | 2013 – 2015 | Johannesburg, South Africa.
Diploma in Graphic Design and New Media | 2012 | Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts (ZIVA) Harare, Zimbabwe.
Certificates Pitman/City and Guilds Syllabus at Elementary: English for Business Communication (first class pass), Typewriting, Bookkeeping and Accounts, Office Procedures and ICDL Computer modules | 2010 | Dominican Convent Harare, Zimbabwe.
Cambridge IGCSE vs GCE O Levels: Maths, English (first class pass), Commerce, Religious Studies, Art, Travel & Tourism 2009 | Dominican Convent Harare, Zimbabwe.
GRANTS
Beata Brummer’s foundation and Ulla Fröberg Cramér’s foundation | April 2023 | Stockholm, Sweden.
Axel N Andersons stiftelse | November 2021 | Stockholm, Sweden.
Konstfack’s tuition fee scholarship for two years | August 2021 | Stockholm, Sweden.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Ung Svensk Form Winner 2023 – Svensk Form and IKEA Museum. 2023. Stockholm, Sweden.
Bronze Loerie Award Winner – Brand Identity & Collateral Design Logos. National. 2018. Durban, South Africa.
Gold Pendoring Student Award Winner – October 2017, Midrand, South Africa.
Pendoring Special Awards: Overall Student Winner October 2017, Midrand, South Africa.
Gold Loerie Student Award and Overall Winner – Student Awards: Publication Design. Madímì. 2017 Durban, South Africa.
Admitted as a member into the International Society for Type Designers. Awarded with a pass, 2016. Newbury, United Kingdom.
Poster for Tomorrow “Right to Healthcare” 2015 competition. Selected amongst the 100 best posters. Paris, France.
Interests: Photography, Tennis, Acting
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
International Society for Type Designers [ISTD] 2016
Board Member of the Graphic Designers Zimbabwe [GDZ] 2015
Loeries Youth Committee representing Zimbabwe in Africa and Middle East [LYC] 2021
INVITED TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS
WORLD IA DAY 2017 | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Saturday, February 18, 2017. Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg, Bunting road campus
STELLENBOSH ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE EXCHANGE JOURNEY TO HARARE | The Nexus B2C
Coworking, Batanai Gardens, Corner 1st and Jason Moyo, 6 July 2018.
Umuzi.org 2016 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Graphic Designers Zimbabwe Conference Week 2020 | Harare, Zimbabwe
University of Kwazulu Natal, February 2021- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC0ioHjhv-s&t=2298s
Loeries Creative Hour May 2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF3k2fmLGzw&t=312s
Typrographics Conference July 2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU0unlOY8yU&t=3968s
ATyPL All Over – Association Typographique Internationale December 2021
Type Directors Club (TDC) – March 2022 Amantombazane, the Ladies are Doing it for Themselves!
FEATURED
TDC The One Club Creativity Jury 2023 – https://youngones.org/jury
TYPEONE Magazine Issue 04, 2022 – https://type-01.com/taurai-valerie-mtake-on-the-revival-of-nguni-symbol-writing/
Tecknaren Magazine #4 2021 – Taurai Valerie Mtake bevarar bantusymbolerna med lek – page 17
Newspaper article, 2021 – https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/another-milestone-for-mtake
Newspaper article, 2021 – https://www.loeries.com/loeries2021.aspx?link=education_youthcommittee
SAfm Radio Interview, 2017 – https://www.pscp.tv/SAfmRadio/1mnGerZEDNPJX?t=6s
Website article, 2017 – http://www.loeries.com/loeries2017.aspx?link=viewstation_finalist&id=134984
Presentation, 2017 – https://2017.worldiaday.org/location/johannesburg-south-africa
School website article, 2016 – http://designcenter.co.za/student_works/lifes-work-adrain-frutiger/
Newspaper article, 2012 – http://www.herald.co.zw/cool-news-taurai-mtake-shines/
Collaboration project, 2012 – https://annesofie.dunked.com/your-waters-future
Interview, 2012 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3UYTv83jrE
Top 100 selected website, 2012 – http://www.posterfortomorrow.org/en/projects/right-to-healthcare/top-100
Membership presence, 2012 – http://www.istd.org.uk/members/view/376739466
Collaboration project, 2012 – http://www.northstar-alliance.org/nsa_z015_taurai-mtake/