Laurel Halkier | Partner 

Laurel oversees creative strategy for the partnership. She asks the right questions and listens carefully to clients in order to build clarity and understanding of project needs, goals, challenges and aspirations. The scope of her work includes sparking client soul-searching, leading group consensus building, extrapolating inspired strategic direction — and wrapping this together into a solid foundation on which creative solutions can be built. Laurel has spent 25+ years “out front” of H+D, guiding and designing projects for a broad range of budgets, media and clients — and has built a breadth and depth of professional experience in communications, image building, design development, implementation processes, and budget accountability that is invaluable.

Laurel has a Visual Communications degree from the University of Alberta, where she remains a sessional instructor, teaching business practice to 500 Level students. She has been an invited speaker at design and publishing conferences and lectures, and has served as jury member in numerous design and communication competitions. Laurel also holds a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University, and maintains a coaching practice focussed on supporting women in all levels of leadership. Laurel renews her spirit by singing with Vocal Alchemy, and serves on the board of the Choir Alberta.

Mark Dutton | Partner 

In charge of fulfilling dreams and promises for H+D clients, Mark is expert in spring-boarding strategic thinking into fresh, inspired creative that lands where it is intended. Mark’s years of experience drive him to create excellent solutions for every project — and he is constantly pushing H+D to expand our view of leading edge design, and innovations in design and communications. 

With over 25 years of design experience, Mark has a strong reputation for bold, innovative branding, information, and corporate design. He has unparalleled experience in editorial design, having led the development and production of several national and regional magazines. Under Mark’s guidance, H+D has won many awards for our editorial, CD and corporate design work — including two IABC Golden Quill Awards.

Mark holds a Degree in Visual Communications from the University of Alberta, where he has also been a sessional studio instructor. He has served as a jury member in provincial and national design competitions. Mark is also an active printmaker, and serves proudly on the board of SNAP – the Society of Northern Alberta Printmakers.