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Just recently I had the opportunity to speak with Foster Barker about his talents, the future of graphic design professionals, and the skills it takes to produce top of the line advertising campaigns. Foster continues to “turn heads” in the market and advertising spectrum at Ford Design Group in Wilmington, NC.

Professional Graphic Designer- Foster Barker

Here is what Foster Barker had to say:

— Start Online Interview for NCAdvertisingAgencies.com —

Q1: Foster, thanks for your time, so how long have you been a professional graphic designer and where did you go to school?

I’ve been a professional Graphic Designer for about 8 years now. I attended East Carolina University and Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Art with a concentration in Graphic Design in 2001.

Q2: Your talents are some of the best I have ever seen, where do you get your inspiration from?

Awww. Now I’m blushing!…..I tend to find inspiration for design and ad concepts virtually everywhere. That’s the beauty of creative work. The gears are constantly churning.— I say concepts because its my belief that in advertising, design is only as strong as the concept behind it. Once an idea hits, It almost always starts with random sketches on a piece of paper. Then the sketches themselves provide further inspiration which eventually become refined into the final product.

Q3: Where do you think print advertising is heading in 2009? And how have you or your agency supported your clients during these current economic struggles? (For example: have you offered discounts, lowered rates, added a few unpaid hours, worked more efficiently, been more supportive, provided more cost effective avenues for advertising?)

My theory is that right now, there are quite a few businesses where the powers that be are wracking their brains, trying to figure out how to re-stimulate their income. Therefore I see an influx in advertising by the latter part of the year. Hopefully you’ll be calling me “Fostradomus” by years end!….. I’ve always tried to work with tight budgeted clients and offer ways to keep the costs down. The main difference is that these days, even the largest clients are looking for a break. Therefore I find myself doing this more often. It certainly has strengthened my efficiency.

Q4: Out of your hundreds of clients and very large design portfolio, what has been your favorite, most appreciative design work?

It’s tough to single out one. My favorites are the ones where I am allowed complete creative freedom. I really enjoy a good ad campaign, because it allows me to truly focus on the concept and put my creative writing background to use. I also love a great team effort, where custom professional photography (or filming, for interactive projects) is involved. Great photography really makes the designer’s job much easier and allows for a better overall end-product. It’s like grilling with angus filets instead of trying to work with a hunk of bologna.

Q5: Why does a company need a logo? What does corporate identity have to do with advertising?

Corporate identity gives a company a consistent brand that allows them to stand out amongst the competition. Repetition and consistency are key when advertising your business. The logo further exudes professionalism and is the essential element that corporate identity stems from. It is your visual calling card to the the rest of the world.

Q6: If you were getting ready to start a business, what would be the first thing you would do when it comes to advertising your own business?

Know your target demographic. It’s important to have a good idea of what your customers watch, read, listen to, and know where they gather. Give yourself a budget of around 5% - 10% of your gross profit to work with. Compare costs with several sources, and narrow the field to the sources that best deliver your demographic at the best cost. If you do not have enough money to advertise, try networking for jobs until you do. These days, you’d be amazed at how well Social Network Sites can work to your advantage when it comes to this!

Q7: From your years of experience in graphic design, what type of equipment and software do you use?

I use a Macbook Pro Laptop. Macs are the best computers for design. Period. I will say, I’ve learned its extremely handy to have a PC around also if possible when testing websites….As for Software, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign primarily. Acrobat is also a must-have for converting design files for print and preview comps. Adobe products work seamlessly together. I try to stay updated every 2 years with the latest versions of each.

Q8: And our last question, as a professional graphic designer, what words of encouragement do you have for students at ECU that are finishing up their graphic design degree?

Absorb as much as you can from class critiques. Continuously refine your portfolio until it contains only “A” work (your professors are there to help you with that). Always keep in mind that the portfolio you take from ECU will be what ultimately gets you hired initially… Don’t get discouraged when you miss the mark…instead, take the time to learn from and correct your mistakes when possible. Your hard work WILL pay off in the end…

— End of Online Interview —

Excellent job Foster, please review some of Foster’s best work in logo design, print media, and web design.
(click to enlarge portfolio)

Advertising work published by Foster Barker

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