Studio
Building on experience acquired in multiple fields, Design Distill is all about the visual communication of architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, real estate development and digital media.
Design Distill is always interested in talented applicants. Please send inquiries and portfolios of digital renderings to studio@designdistill.com.
ANDREW HARTNESS, Partner
Following architectural studies in Paris, Andrew worked at Ateliers Jean Nouvel, leading initiatives in 3D development and real time design, pursuing digital illustration as an essential ingredient in the project communication process.
Andrew holds a MAUD post-professional degree from The Harvard Graduate School of Design. He earned a DESA with distinction from the Ecole Spécial d'Architecture, and a BA in Studio Art and Romance Languages from UNC - Chapel Hill. As a committed believer in synthesizing analog and digital approaches, he taught “hybrid drawing” at Rhode Island School of Design for ten years. Outside studio hours, he is usually working on a never-ending stream of home improvement projects.
ALEX HOGREFE, Partner
A native of Northwest Ohio, Alex holds a BA in Architecture from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Architecture from Miami University of Ohio. He is perhaps best known in the international design community as the creator of VisualizingArchitecture.com, where he shares advanced techniques and workflows with a global audience. His passion for making extends beyond the digital screen; when he isn’t rendering, Alex is dedicated to building his skills in woodworking and fine carpentry.
DINGWEN SUN, Creative Director of Animation
Dingwen was born and raised in Nanchang, an inland city in southeastern China. He came to the US for college and completed a Bachelor of Architecture at Virginia Tech. He practiced restaurant and hospitality design in the DC metro area for 3 years, where he thrived on projects involving design and visualization. To hone his design skills, Dingwen studied at RISD where he earned a Master of Arts degree specializing in interior architecture and adaptive reuse. When he is not tending to his vast collection of rare plants, he enjoys creating original computer graphic art.
KYLE HANOVER, Director of Art
Kyle grew up in suburban Connecticut but always had a desire for city life. A childhood interest in architecture which ultimately led him to Boston to study at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree’s of Architecture. He eventually landed his first career as a zoo and aquarium exhibit designer. Kyle knew early on in his academic career that his real passion was for the visualization and representation of architecture and design. Kyle’s personal visualization projects focus on his love of all things sci-fi and fantasy (huge star wars fan!).
Aiden Shertzer, Designer
Aiden is a lifelong Texan—born in Dallas, raised in Plano, and a graduate of Texas A&M University. While studying at A&M, he developed a passion for architectural design and photography, which ultimately led him to a career in the architectural visualization industry. Previously, Aiden worked as a designer for the healthcare studio at HKS in Dallas and as a student sports photographer for the Texas A&M athletics department. Outside of the studio, he enjoys rock climbing, film photography, and exploring the great outdoors.