stefan hartung

Stefan Hartung studied visual communication in Germany and Wisconsin. After four years in full service agencies in Hamburg, he moved to Minneapolis to concentrate on design. In 2001, Stefan founded HartungKemp together with Mary Kemp, who is the company's director of strategy. HartungKemp is modeled after European "brand navigator" design agencies that develop conceptual brand ideas from the inside out and navigate the articulation of all aspects of brand development, packaging, marketing and communication. With every project, Hartung and HK create fresh ideas that make audiences think and transform words and images into action.

Is graphic design a growth industry? Advertising in the traditional sense is dying. Conceptual brands that are built on integrating a design platform are much more successful and live stronger. We did that in Europe decades ago, and, finally in the last two to three years, clients in the U.S. are seeing the value in that. Right now, we, as designers, have an opportunity to shape the world. People are tired of being told what they want. Consumers are in charge and want an experience that they can relate to. As designers we have the obligation to make change and use creativity to drive our clients to success. We have the tools and the knowledge to convince audiences of concepts that can change lives. One of our clients, Doug Powell, said: "I am amazed that not more designers are re-inventing the way things are done!" He is so right!

Do graphic designers have a special responsibility to promote a green society? Coming from Germany, that always has been a postulate! We used recycled papers and totally chlorine-free papers 20 years ago, way before it was chic here. Recycling and reusing is inspiring in Europe, especially in packaging. In Europe, companies have to take back unnecessary packaging in the store. Consumers can just unpack their product and leave packaging in bins. Obviously, packaging companies are really smart about how to minimize packaging yet still have a big design and marketing impact. We try to do that here as well. And our print buyer, Aisling, is pushing hard for it on a daily basis.

At HartungKemp we also have a very heavy focus on corporate social responsibility and green clients. These clients are specifically coming to HK for advice on how to communicate their involvement in communities, how to talk about their giving and their involvement of making the world a better place.

ONE THING I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IS cooking. It is my passion. I cook almost every night and I love to invent new dishes. It calms me, yet invigorates a different level of creativity.

FAVORITE MOVIES

High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly builds tension in a masterful way. I am usually not a Woody Allen fan, but Scoop was terrific. I am also a sucker for love stories!

FAVORITE BOOKS

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is the most emotional life story. The diary of the German philosopher Ernst Jünger, Strahlungen, is written in the most beautiful language. Cook books of any kind are also a favorite, but they have to have pictures. I want to see what I am about to cook!

FAVORITE SONGS

The new album from Feist; the live concert album from Seeed, a German mixture of reggae and rap that mixes German and English lyrics; anything from the Velvet Underground.

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS

Joseph Beuys, for his ability to sell an idea and reinvent himself; Horst Janssen, an inspiring German drawer; Kei Gratton, my wife, who is able to capture our lives.

FAVORITE TV SHOWS

I love the writing on Boston Legal. Otherwise, I don't watch much worth mentioning.

BOOKMARKED WEBSITES

Faz.net, a European newspaper that gives me a different perspective on politics; fashion, good furniture and interior design sites are very inspiring to me.