Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Barnes.
Hi Blake, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My first memory of creating was bonding with my younger sister over drawing contests. Our daily drawing sessions quelled our boredom. Little did we know at that time, we were laying the foundation for both of our future careers as graphic designers. In high school, I took a class on desktop publishing. It was the first time I became interested in graphic design. My teacher at the time encouraged me to think outside the box. I didn’t see the class assignments as something I had to check off of my to-do list but more as a challenge to my creativity.
Even though the design was already a passion of mine, I was at a crossroads when choosing a career. College was a time when I explored my options. Out of everything I dipped my toes in, there was one common, appealing factor – the ability to help others. Although the potential careers I explored through my college classes would be viable vehicles to reach that goal, one thing was missing, and that missing piece was passion. I am passionate about creating.
I started my design career, learning to design for print, talk to clients, and operate printers, in a small print shop in Union City, Tennessee. I took every valuable learning experience with me when I moved to Memphis almost a year and a half later. My time in Union City gave me knowledge that I use even today. Memphis, however, was the place where I became inspired.
I had never been surrounded by a community that celebrates creativity like Memphis. It was easy to find people who shared the same interests as me. I joined the Memphis Songwriters Association, befriended photographers and freelance graphic designers, and continued to be inspired by the creatives around me. Then the pandemic hit. I pivoted, and my creative outlet became posting illustrations and logo designs on my Instagram page.
Clients began to take a chance on someone who followed their passion, helping me to turn my hobby into what is now known as Barnes and Co.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At the beginning of Barnes and Co., I did a little bit of everything – illustration, web design, logo design, content writing, videography, and photography. Only recently I have learned to niche down, focus on what I love to do, and contract out what I don’t.
I want to put my whole heart into everything I do and running a part-time, creative business in this way decreases my stress and nurtures my joy. Utilizing my creative connections has allowed me to deliver an even better outcome for my client projects while knowing that each piece is handled by specialized people who are passionate about what they do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in brand identity design. The process begins with me sitting down and sketching out what sometimes feels like hundreds of logo options to determine the strongest and cleanest way to represent a client.
If you look at the collection of my work, the incorporation of my style and illustrations allow me to take a project, put a little of myself in it, and demonstrate its use in a real-world setting through a simple shirt design, business logo, and brand guide, or marketing piece.
Whether it’s providing marketing advice, working with vendors for them or with them, or even working a little outside of my scope, I always try to make it a bit easier for my clients when I have the opportunity.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I would say faith. When I was a small child, my family brought me to church, they taught me about the Bible and it was evident that they strived to live out those beliefs each day.
Several years ago, I felt called to ministry. I think growing up in a small town in the Bible Belt influenced my assumption that when someone is called into ministry, they are supposed to be a pastor, worship leader, or missionary.
It was not until in the last few years that I realized being called to ministry doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to be one of those things, but it can mean serving right where I am. I’ve been incredibly blessed in my life with a great family, great friends, and a career that I love. Through it all, I want to be able to look back and know that I did what I was called to do.
Contact Info:
- Email: barnesandco10@gmail.com
- Website: www.barnesandco.co
- Instagram: @barnesandco1
