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    About Me

    I intimately understand the design process. I have been afforded the opportunity to be involved in that creative process for over 30 years. As a passionate graphic designer who embraces my creative instincts and intuition, I have a burning desire to cultivate flawless outcomes in branding, photography, and web design. The process of the idea, from its first beginnings, to its concrete creation and conclusion, excites and inspires me. This affords me the capability to walk alongside my client in understanding what they wish to convey. I then ensure that their message is visually created with a most powerful and pleasing end product.

    Download Resume

    What I'm Doing

    I am currently Senior Creative at Outcrop Communications.  I get to work with a team of very talented individuals who work across the arctic. The Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Outcrop is the oldest agency in the north – 50 years young.  I continue to work with many Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations helping Indigenous communities. I’ve helped design websites for The Grizzlies, the movie, BC Museums Association‘s Indigenous Resources subdomain and Indian Horse, the film. I’ve also created branding and visual identities for Cohen Quash aka Mesdizih Eskiye (Owl Boy), Turtle Island Institute, EntrepreNorth and many others. Other long-standing clients include Shot in the Dark Productions, Bean North, Gunta Business, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, and the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office.

    BRANDING

    Help you get started

    DESIGN

    Think different

    DEVELOPMENT

    Look better online

    PHOTOGRAPHY

    Get creative snaps

    MARKETING

    Promote your project

    SUPPORT

    Fast & Friendly

    My Skills

    I am both a team player and an independent, self-motivated worker. I am a quick learner, enthusiastic, focused, reliable, organized and responsible. I have strong communication and interpersonal skills, is friendly and is always open-minded. 

    DESIGN

    PHOTOGRAPHY

    WEB DESIGN

    I have worked with several agencies, in Ottawa, Toronto, Burlington and most recently in Whitehorse, Yukon. I have worked with Fortune 500 companies like Royal Bank, Xerox, Bell Mobility, Apotex Pharmaceuticals, Canadian Health & Lifestyle Magazine and most recently with Yukon Energy, Yukon Tourism, Yukon Wild and the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. In addition to my private and public sector design experience, I am one of the few designers with deep roots and deep experience designing for Canada’s First Nations Communities. I have worked closely with the Chiefs of Ontario, the Assembly of First Nations, the Blue Feather Music Festival, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.

    Education And Career

    03/22 - PRESENT

    OUTCROP COMMUNICATIONS

    Celebrating 50 years in business. Outcrop is the oldest communications Agency in Canada’s north. Outcrop is a northern-owned agency with roots in each of Canada’s three territories (Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit). Specializing in compelling messages that meet the needs of it’s clients.
    06/17 - 03/22

    ANIMIKII INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY

    Celebrating 12 years in business, Animikii Inc. is a web-services company building custom software, web-applications and websites. We work with leading Indigenous groups across North America to leverage technology for social, economic and cultural initiatives. As a 100% Indigenous-owned technology company we work with our clients to implement solutions that amplify these efforts and achieve better outcomes for Indigenous people in these areas. We are based in British Columbia on Coast Salish territory and we work everywhere.
    06/18 - 06/22

    DESIGN PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA - NATIONAL PRESIDENT

    The Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan ) is proud to announce the election of Mark Rutledge CDP™ as its 34th National President at the annual general meeting that was held in Vancouver on June 1, 2018. Mark is the first Indigenous president and the first president elected from the Arctic Chapter where he was president from 2014 to 2018. Mark resides and works in Whitehorse, and is confident that leading from the Arctic will ensure a broader awareness of DesCan for designers in Canada’s north.
    01/19

    MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

    Innovation of Products and Services: MIT’s Approach to Design Thinking Certificate. Key takeaways from this course include: • Understand the design thinking process • Identify and assess customer opportunities • Generate and evaluate new product and service concepts • Design services and customer experiences • Evaluate product development economics
    11/12 - 12/15

    OUTSIDE THE CUBE

    Outside the Cube is a marketing / sport tourism company that helps define, communicate and execute client projects using the most effective means to realize their goals. Specializing in communications and media strategy, marketing and advertising, event bids, organizing and sponsorship, business development and innovation, project management, social media and web analytics.
    10/13

    GRANTED CDP ACCREDITATION

    The Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan) is Canada’s National Certification Body for Graphic and Communication Designers. The CDP™ certification mark allows designers to demonstrate that their services have met a rigorously defined standard. CDP™ Certification is a mark that indicates that a DesCan Member has been assessed within their area of proficiency (Designer, Academic, Leader), and has been determined to be of a professional standard. This standard includes a high degree of competence within their area of proficiency, compliance to a professional conduct code of ethics and a commitment to sustainable practice. TheCDP™ certification mark is Canada’s first, and only, certification mark for graphic and communication designers. CDP™ Certification assures those seeking design and marketing services that the provider has met a rigorous and professional standard of services.
    09/10 - 11/12

    AASMAN BRAND COMMUNICATIONS

    Aasman is a brand communications group that analyzes, develops and executes strategies that help clients communicate their brand.
    07/06 - 12/09

    MAXIMUM 60 DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS

    Maximum 60 is a boutique design communications firm specializing in solutions formulated for healthcare. Active since 1999 and based in Burlington Ontario, Maximum 60 has steadily refined its capabilities to offer truly informed brand solutions for a broad range of healthcare organizations.
    09/98 - 09/10

    HANGAR 13 ART & DESIGN

    Hangar 13 Art & Design has lived, worked and played in the community of Ottawa for over 28 years. They take great pride in having established themselves as one of Ottawa's most recognizable design firms. They have garnered a reputation as innovators in solving business and communication issues creatively; on time and on budget.
    06/06

    GRANTED RGD CERTIFICATION

    Certified RGDs have a demonstrated understanding of business best practices, accessible design principles, research methods and ethics, and the application of strategic design principles to marketing and communications challenges. The Association of Registered Graphic Designers is Canada's largest professional Association for graphic design professionals with 4,000 Members, including firm owners, freelancers, managers, in-house designers, educators and students. In a world of increasing competition, graphic design professionals need to be able to set themselves apart. The RGD designation signifies that you provide effective design solutions to further your clients' goals and objectives, and that you perform to a high ethical and professional standard, as certified by your Association of peers
    09/93 - 05/96

    DESIGN ARTS DIPLOMA

    Graduated with High Honors from the Design Arts program at Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario.

    Testimonials

    Mark is a committed, passionate , detailed designer. He looks for solutions and distinctive ways to communicate messages visually. Mark was an integral part of the team and worked with clients from small business to large corporate and government accounts. His knowledge and insight into First Nations culture was a real asset to our company as was his professionalism and commitment to ongoing training.
    DEE ENRIGHT
    President and CEO Outside the Cube
    Mark was a excellent member of our team. He was dependable, organized, hard working and exceptionally meticulous about detail. These traits along with a great attitude and technical aptitude are why Mark excelled as a production designer with Aasman Brand Communications.
    ZEKE AASMAN
    Director of Creative Strategies at Aasman Brand Communications
    Mark is an outstanding designer, and possesses an attention to detail that borders on obsession. Versatile and shockingly reliable, he is an asset to any creative team.
    PETER LYTWYNIUK
    Creative Director at Maximum 60 Design Communications
    I have worked with Mark Rutledge for the last 10 years, and we continue to work together on projects to this day. He is very creative, knowledgeable and trustworthy. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone who might be in need of creative services.
    GLENN TORRESAN
    President and Creative Director at Hangar 13 Art & Design
    Let sleeping dogs be. 
•
#huskies #huskiesofinstagram #petstagram

    Let sleeping dogs be.

    #huskies #huskiesofinstagram #petstagram
    ...

    Repost from @powwowgrounds2
•
@aroundthebound828
#prey

    Repost from @powwowgrounds2

    @aroundthebound828
    #prey
    ...

    'What I have is a malevolent curiosity. That's what drives my need to write and what probably leads me to look at things a little askew.' 

New York Daily News, 9th June 2002

Pocket Bowie Wisdom: Inspirational words from a rock legend 

#davidbowie #bookofwisdom #himself #inspiration #wordsofwisdom #curiosity

    'What I have is a malevolent curiosity. That's what drives my need to write and what probably leads me to look at things a little askew.'

    New York Daily News, 9th June 2002

    Pocket Bowie Wisdom: Inspirational words from a rock legend

    #davidbowie #bookofwisdom #himself #inspiration #wordsofwisdom #curiosity
    ...

    Looks like I'll need to add this to my library soon. Go check it out for yourself. 📚❤️💯✊🏾🔥
•
Repost from @angela_sterritt
•
This book took an ocean of courage. As I cut through parts of the past I’d rather put behind me, I was often sinking in my own trauma or learning how to hold it in kindness and love. But the strength it took the family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls to trust me, to share their stories, and to travel intimately with their pain of losing a loved one (in many cases horrifically) was unmatched. It unearthed unimaginable suffering.

While in some ways this is a dark and harrowing read, in others it is beautiful and loving, filled with all the care and compassion Indigenous people live in and give. This book, amassed from years of difficult conversations, recognizes and explores the full, complex picture of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

In reading this work, you will visit the depths of long-lasting and intergenerational trauma that is the direct result of colonial violence and genocide.

In my search for justice and healing, this book touches on difficult themes like suicide, assault, violence, and childhood abuse. Mostly, though, I am searching to honour the hope and love that permeate the spirits of all our people.

In my news stories I provide trigger warnings on articles that could cause victims or readers trauma. For this book, in addition to this warning, I’m hoping to send an offering of love, kindness, and care to blanket and comfort you as you take this journey with me.

Ha’miiya to the families, thank you to those who will take the time to read, listen and hear their voices. And thank you Eden for this praise ❤️✊🏾

#indigenousbooks #bookstagram #books #mmiwg2s #mmiwg #mmiwgawareness #mmiwgfamilies #indigenouswomenrise

    Looks like I'll need to add this to my library soon. Go check it out for yourself. 📚❤️💯✊🏾🔥

    Repost from @angela_sterritt

    This book took an ocean of courage. As I cut through parts of the past I’d rather put behind me, I was often sinking in my own trauma or learning how to hold it in kindness and love. But the strength it took the family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls to trust me, to share their stories, and to travel intimately with their pain of losing a loved one (in many cases horrifically) was unmatched. It unearthed unimaginable suffering.

    While in some ways this is a dark and harrowing read, in others it is beautiful and loving, filled with all the care and compassion Indigenous people live in and give. This book, amassed from years of difficult conversations, recognizes and explores the full, complex picture of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

    In reading this work, you will visit the depths of long-lasting and intergenerational trauma that is the direct result of colonial violence and genocide.

    In my search for justice and healing, this book touches on difficult themes like suicide, assault, violence, and childhood abuse. Mostly, though, I am searching to honour the hope and love that permeate the spirits of all our people.

    In my news stories I provide trigger warnings on articles that could cause victims or readers trauma. For this book, in addition to this warning, I’m hoping to send an offering of love, kindness, and care to blanket and comfort you as you take this journey with me.

    Ha’miiya to the families, thank you to those who will take the time to read, listen and hear their voices. And thank you Eden for this praise ❤️✊🏾

    #indigenousbooks #bookstagram #books #mmiwg2s #mmiwg #mmiwgawareness #mmiwgfamilies #indigenouswomenrise
    ...

    For a lot of us this can be triggering. As a 60s Scoop Survivor we have lived similar lives.

Repost from @littlebird.series
•
#LittleBirdSeries has its world premiere today at #SeriesMania and competes in the International Panorama section! A premium, six-part limited dramatic series, LITTLE BIRD is about an Indigenous woman on a journey to find her birth family and uncover the hidden truth of her past.

Bezhig Little Bird was adopted into a Jewish family at the age of five, being stripped of her identity and becoming Esther Rosenblum. Now in her 20s, Bezhig longs for the family she lost and to fill in the missing pieces. Her quest lands her in the Canadian prairies where she discovers that she was one of the generations of children forcibly apprehended by the Canadian government through a policy, later coined the #60sScoop.

This is a story with global importance that will capture hearts and minds of all people regardless of their race, religion, or culture—being told from the front lines of narrative activism, unearthing the truth behind a dark history and present reality for Indigenous children and families all over the world. Audiences will experience Indigenous love and joy in authentically uplifting us on an otherwise emotional journey about the loss of identity and culture.

Streaming on @cravecanada and @aptnlumi this spring, stay tuned for the official premiere date!

*********
If you or someone you love are in crisis, please ask for help. 
 
CAN: Hope For Wellness
1-855-242-3310
@60sscoopnetwork 
sixtiesscoopnetwork.org

US: text native to 741741 -or- dial 988

🐦🧡🌾

    For a lot of us this can be triggering. As a 60s Scoop Survivor we have lived similar lives.

    Repost from @littlebird.series

    #LittleBirdSeries has its world premiere today at #SeriesMania and competes in the International Panorama section! A premium, six-part limited dramatic series, LITTLE BIRD is about an Indigenous woman on a journey to find her birth family and uncover the hidden truth of her past.
    
Bezhig Little Bird was adopted into a Jewish family at the age of five, being stripped of her identity and becoming Esther Rosenblum. Now in her 20s, Bezhig longs for the family she lost and to fill in the missing pieces. Her quest lands her in the Canadian prairies where she discovers that she was one of the generations of children forcibly apprehended by the Canadian government through a policy, later coined the #60sScoop.

    This is a story with global importance that will capture hearts and minds of all people regardless of their race, religion, or culture—being told from the front lines of narrative activism, unearthing the truth behind a dark history and present reality for Indigenous children and families all over the world. Audiences will experience Indigenous love and joy in authentically uplifting us on an otherwise emotional journey about the loss of identity and culture.

Streaming on @cravecanada and @aptnlumi this spring, stay tuned for the official premiere date!

    *********
    If you or someone you love are in crisis, please ask for help.

    CAN: Hope For Wellness
    1-855-242-3310
    @60sscoopnetwork
    sixtiesscoopnetwork.org

    US: text native to 741741 -or- dial 988

    🐦🧡🌾
    ...

    Chi-Miigwetch for the S/O and acknowledgement. 
•
Repost from @knowhistorycanada
•
We are honoured to have @markhrutledge design our logo for the @ihhgathering. Mark is an Ojibway/Anishinaabe artist and speaker from Little Grand Rapids First Nation and Lac Seul First Nation. For over 30 years, Mark has created designs for numerous First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. This circular logo celebrates the connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who come together to work for a better future. The teal, purple, and red colours draw their inspiration from the northern lights, a beautiful phenomenon that can be seen across the land.
•
#indigenous #culture #heritage #history #firstnations #gathering #community

    Chi-Miigwetch for the S/O and acknowledgement.

    Repost from @knowhistorycanada

    We are honoured to have @markhrutledge design our logo for the @ihhgathering. Mark is an Ojibway/Anishinaabe artist and speaker from Little Grand Rapids First Nation and Lac Seul First Nation. For over 30 years, Mark has created designs for numerous First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. This circular logo celebrates the connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who come together to work for a better future. The teal, purple, and red colours draw their inspiration from the northern lights, a beautiful phenomenon that can be seen across the land.

    #indigenous #culture #heritage #history #firstnations #gathering #community
    ...

    Finally have the complete collection of Thomas King's - A Dreadful Water Mystery series. The Red Power Murders and A Matter of Malice. 
•
#indigenous #firstnations #thomasking #author #books #ilovebigbooksandicannotlie #fiction #bookstagram

    Finally have the complete collection of Thomas King's - A Dreadful Water Mystery series. The Red Power Murders and A Matter of Malice.

    #indigenous #firstnations #thomasking #author #books #ilovebigbooksandicannotlie #fiction #bookstagram
    ...