From a very young age, Barnett Design founder and creative director Debbie Barnett has had a pencil in her hand. Her passion for design led to the creation and success of the highly acclaimed, full-service studio that bears her name. With more than 100 industry awards to date, it is clear the Barnett Design team has mastered a unique melding of strategy, design, and technology. The studio’s diverse client list includes national and international corporations, non-profit organizations, and regional businesses. Debbie has worked in the design and communications space for 30+ years, with many well-known brands including Panasonic, Eight o’clock Coffee, Volvo, Walgreens, and Ferrero. In addition to her work in the field, Debbie has taught as an adjunct professor at Montclair State University and has been a guest speaker at Fairleigh Dickinson University, at Baruch College, and for civic groups. She conducts inspirational workshops for area schools and mentors students interested in entrepreneurship, promotion, branding, and design. Debbie earned a BFA in graphic design from Montclair State University and an MS in packaging from Pratt Institute. When not in the office, she occasionally puts down her pencil to enjoy family, fitness, photography, origami, gardening, and music.

This award is especially meaningful as it supports our Barnett team’s mission to “elevate the goodness” in the world, and further celebrates the incredibly inspiring and life-changing work of our client, Eliminate Poverty Now.

Our industry has the ability to cut through the noise and communicate a profound message. 1. We get to solve problems. It’s meaningful, exhilarating, and fun. 2. We are constantly learning, and experience so many exciting discoveries as we create. 3. We get to work with amazingly inspiring people (visionaries, leaders, heroes).

I am fortunate to be surrounded by many inspirational people. My family, our Barnett team, our clients, our suppliers, our friends. Each person has a unique story with a beautiful life lesson. Since my Dad passed last year, I pay special tribute to him for the upstanding, moral, creative, witty, loving man he was – and will always remain – to our family and the community. He taught me to look at life with my eyes wide open, to trust my gut, to be kind, to work hard, to appreciate life. He continues to inspire me every day.

Listen.

Listening. And balance.