Fishbon Community: Mark Goerner, Santa Barbara CA  U.S.A.

Born in the Chicago area in 1970, Mark Goerner was drawn at an early age to exploring art, and more specifically, to conceptual design and problem solving. Sketchbooks and early projects reflected an interest in industrial design and fantasy environments with a futuristic mindset. Raised by a family involved in manufacturing, industrial inspiration helped fuel an interest in machinery, and a lifelong interest in the process of fabrication and a curiosity of materials. This, coupled with a love of nature on both a macro and micro scale, archeology, architecture and automobiles, all came together to help form his base of interest. These interests were fed in later years by attending classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, and finally at Art Center College of Design where he received a Bachelor of Science with distinction in automotive design, with a focus on entertainment design. While in school, internships included work for Coca-Cola, providing advanced concepts in distribution, vending and packaging, and BMW/Designworks working on various automotive and product design projects. His freelance career began by providing design services, illustrations, storyboards, character and concept development to Rhythm and Hues Studios for McDonalds, Honda, Disney, ESPN, Kraft foods, Intel, Advil, and such films as “Star Trek 5”, and “It’s Tough to be a Bug” for Disney theme parks. Further work was done for BMW/Designworks on advanced concepts and scenario development for automotive environments and interfaces. Other subsequent client work included concepts for video games, prop illustrations for “Blast from the Past”, scenario development and designs for theme park rides and Imax formatted attractions for Toyota Motor Corporation and Caesars Palace Las Vegas, posters, illustrations and graphics for assorted local an international clients, as well as museum environments for Ford Motor Company, set illustration for “X-files”, and concept computers for Intel. As these clients and affiliations expanded, an alliance with the feature film industry as conceptual illustrator presented itself. He began by working on “Minority Report” designing and illustrating props, sets and environments, followed by “Constantine” and “X-men 2”, "The Terminal", and development on "Battle Angel Alita" for James Cameron. Along with this work, he has taught classes in Visual Communication at Art Center and Gnomon, and built up an extensive knowledge of construction and interior design through personal projects in remodeling and restoration of houses. Mark continues to work on varied projects as a digital artist and in constant pursuit to expand skills and a strong level of artistry in photography, illustration and design methodologies. As one of the top designers in the L.A. area, Mark continues to strive for opportunities to express original and comprehensive visions of spaces not yet known.