Meet David Barney | Graphic Designer / Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Barney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
While I was still working for a startup creative agency, I remember most days I would come home and get into some deep talks with my wife in the kitchen. Conversations about starting our own business would always come up. We dreamed of it constantly, but could never step out and make it happen. The dream was always in our hearts and minds but the path was unclear until the agency fell through.

My wife and I were both shaken but felt so much peace. We realized very quickly that God was opening the door for us to start our own business. No process. No plan A or plan B. We were kicked out of the nest and surrendered to God’s plan. For the first couple of months we walked in so much uncertainty. I would have waves of doubt and fear come over me while I was working, and then all of the sudden, a friend would call and encourage me, like he knew what I was going through at that moment.

Months down the road, we continued to trust in God. It’s all we could do. Our friends and family would show their support, share about our business, and the work hasn’t stopped rolling in. In a nutshell – starting our own design business was something we believed we were always meant to do, but it took going through some scary stuff to get us there.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Music was really the thing that has launched me into graphic design. I loved band t-shirts, album covers, and show posters. The way the typography on a rock poster was textured, bold, and sometimes chaotically placed on the design. Or how an album cover can be super minimal, black and white, and the title of the album is clean and central. Design intrigues me, especially when music is behind it.

When I am deep in design mode, you can bet I’ve got Mumford & Sons, Ozwald, or Kings of Leon playing in the background. The melodies and sounds really help me to work through the design process. Even lyrical genius’s like Jon Foreman, help spark creative fires within me that I can’t really explain. He sings the words and phrases, I see colors and imagery coming together in my head. Now all that’s left to do is put the ideas on paper.

Sometimes with art and graphic design, the ideas aren’t there. You’ve gotta move things around and experiment a little. You’ve gotta see what things look like in front of you to decide if it’s working or not. I used to work for a company years ago as an advertising coordinator, and my boss would tell me, “You’re spending way too much time perfecting things, just show me the idea first.” But that wasn’t me. I would take an idea and run with it until it was my best work. I’ve gotta unravel the idea and show you it’s full potential.

That’s really been my drive from the beginning – “Can I do better than my last project? Can I make this one a masterpiece? What is this piece missing?” I wan’t my clients to know that they are getting my best work every single time. I’m not just collecting a paycheck, I’m getting down in the mud of design and finding buried treasure. I truly want the best for my clients and their business. That’s the goal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My wife and I recently found this greek place that we love called, Portara in Pearland. If you love greek food, this the spot! The Hummus Trio is a 10/10.

But really, if my wife and I want to really treat ourselves, we’ll head downtown. That’s where we would go when we were dating and it was always a blast. There are too many great local spots to count, but Brasil was our top pick. You gotta try their goat cheese pizza.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All throughout my life, I’ve had so many people encourage and pour into me. It amazes me to think about the support system I’ve always had, even from a young age. My big brother, Bob, is someone I’ve always admired and looked up to. He really paved the way for my love of music when we were growing up. Whatever band he was jamming, that’s what I wanted to listen to. Radiohead, Coldplay, Switchfoot…the list goes on, Bob always knew the best tunes. His ability to write the most mind-blowing lyrics or melody to a song is just wild. I remember this one EP he recorded at his apartment in Austin, I had it on repeat for weeks. I love my brother’s music, it never gets old to me, and I’m so thankful and proud of him. He inspires me so much.

Without fail, my wife, Hannah, has been the most encouraging and supportive person in my life. She’s always believed in the work I do as an artist and even now as a business partner. I couldn’t do any of this without her and our two daughters, Ella and Canaan. And I absolutely wouldn’t be who I am today without them, and Jesus, who has been guiding and providing for me my whole life. He’s taken me places I never imagined I would be. All of this, everything we own, and everything we do, is because of Him.

Life will hand you a good deal of ups and downs. Things are not always going to be easy or go your way. But we can trust that God will never leave us in the dust. And these hard things we go through, make us stronger and wiser for what’s coming next. Nothing is wasted. I learned a lot and walked through some tough stuff before starting a business. In the moment when going through hard times, I didn’t realize what it would prepare me for now. I needed the trials. I needed the friction. Friction gives you a fire.

Website: https://dbarneygraphics.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbarneygraphics/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbarneygraphics/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbarneymac

Other: Email: dbarneygraphics@gmail.com