I am a seasoned designer and process-improvement leader with over 27 years of experience shaping visual communication for government agencies and cultural institutions. In my current role as Supervisor for Process, Procedure, and Art Director at the GAO, I guide cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, production-ready visuals and rigorous quality control across the agency. I excel at user-centered design, scalable visual systems, and building strong client partnerships. My work emphasizes accessibility, efficiency, and measurable impact, with a track record of elevating brand recognition and improving task completion rates through thoughtful design.…

Brian Barth

I am a seasoned designer and process-improvement leader with over 27 years of experience shaping visual communication for government agencies and cultural institutions. In my current role as Supervisor for Process, Procedure, and Art Director at the GAO, I guide cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, production-ready visuals and rigorous quality control across the agency. I excel at user-centered design, scalable visual systems, and building strong client partnerships. My work emphasizes accessibility, efficiency, and measurable impact, with a track record of elevating brand recognition and improving task completion rates through thoughtful design.…

Available to hire

I am a seasoned designer and process-improvement leader with over 27 years of experience shaping visual communication for government agencies and cultural institutions. In my current role as Supervisor for Process, Procedure, and Art Director at the GAO, I guide cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, production-ready visuals and rigorous quality control across the agency.

I excel at user-centered design, scalable visual systems, and building strong client partnerships. My work emphasizes accessibility, efficiency, and measurable impact, with a track record of elevating brand recognition and improving task completion rates through thoughtful design.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Supervisor for Process, Procedure, and Art Director at Government Accountability Office
August 1, 2022 - June 9, 2024
Serve as the creative design team leader defining project requirements, developing timelines, researching graphic options, preparing samples for customer review, producing final artwork, coordinating with stakeholders, ensuring quality control, and delivering digital files for final output. Oversee and maintain GAO brand initiative and Quality Control processes. Ensure user experience design meets expected customer satisfaction by improving usability, accessibility, and interaction pleasure. Partner with clients to include project requirements and develop innovative graphic concepts, formats, templates, and standards. Provide technical and creative direction for all production activities.
Art Direction, and Instructional Designer at National Archives
August 1, 2004 - August 1, 2022
Served as Art Director for the Learning Center, providing strategic vision and user experience perspectives on all products and services. Acted as a creative resource for assigning design projects, providing alternative approaches for layouts, reviewing concepts, and recommending revisions. Oversaw and maintained NARA’s branding style guides. Planned and managed internal design schedules and contracted teams to work for the agency.
Visual Information Specialist / Interim Art Director at Smithsonian Institution Press
March 1, 2002 - August 1, 2004
Co-Art directed the design and layout of heavily illustrated books, jackets, seasonal catalogs, and presentation materials. Coordinated preparation, presentation, and verbal communication of project specifications and art touch with internal and external stakeholders.
Senior Designer at Naval Institute Press
July 31, 1998 - February 28, 2002
Provided guidance and assisted staff in clarifying abstract ideas by communicating publication themes through visual material. Created and implemented designs managing freelance contractors to improve productivity and design effectiveness.
Graphic Designer, UX Specialist, Self Employed at Pencil Sketch Studio
July 31, 1999 - Present
Create visually compelling designs for branding, marketing materials, packaging, and digital platforms, tailored to each client’s unique identity. Design intuitive interfaces and user journeys that enhance usability and engagement across websites and applications. Develop custom online storefronts with user-friendly layouts, streamlined navigation, and conversion-focused design strategies. Craft one-of-a-kind drawings and paintings and custom artwork for individuals and businesses, blending creativity with personal meaning.
Supervisor for Process, Procedure, and Art Director at Government Accountability Office
August 1, 2022 - October 27, 2025
Senior design and process-improvement lead overseeing visual campaigns and production quality control across the agency. Manages team assignments, develops innovative visual solutions, and conducts concept and final artwork reviews with revisions to meet technical production standards. Drives end-to-end design processes, develops modular templates and templates for training, and ensures accessibility and quality across digital and print channels. Builds client partnerships and delivers production-ready assets while improving brand recognition and efficiency.
Art Director, Process Improvement at National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
September 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022
Led development of standard processes, methodologies, tools, templates, and training for learning centers and related initiatives. Guided budgeting, contracting, and resource management; produced production-ready packages; ensured accessibility and quality; improved efficiency and consistency across LC projects.
Visual Information Specialist / Interim Art Director at Smithsonian Institution Press
August 1, 2004 - August 1, 2004
Award-winning designer delivering book covers, interiors, and marketing materials; translated complex information into accessible, high-quality visuals. Led digital outreach rebranding, boosting brand visibility; streamlined workflows, reducing turnaround and errors; collaborated with executives on strategic designs and training materials.
Junior Designer at Naval Institute Press
March 1, 2002 - March 1, 2002
Designed diverse solutions including banner layouts, exhibit materials, and thumbnails; contributed to branding and marketing efforts; collaborated with editors and production teams to improve design efficiency and quality.
Designer at Pencil Sketch Studio
August 1, 1999 - October 27, 2025
Self-employed visual designer and fine artist; focuses on timeless design visions, unique creations, and elevating brand presence. Emphasizes customer service and UX to drive client engagement. Develops technical kits for project development and efficiently oversees multiple projects, resources, deadlines, and budgets to agency quality standards.

Education

Master of Arts at University of Baltimore
October 16, 2025 - October 16, 2025
Master of Arts at University of Baltimore
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025
Bachelor of Arts at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025
UX Certification at General Assembly
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025
Certificate of Design at Anne Arundel Community College
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025

Qualifications

Certificate of Design
May 1, 1995 - May 1, 1995
UX Certification
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Design the Web: Layer Comps
January 11, 2030 - September 26, 2025
Design the Web: Smart Objects
January 11, 2030 - September 26, 2025
Writing with Impact
January 11, 2030 - September 26, 2025
UX Foundations: Prototyping
January 11, 2030 - September 26, 2025
Project Management Simplified
January 11, 2030 - September 26, 2025
UX Certification
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025
Certificate of Design
January 11, 2030 - October 27, 2025

Industry Experience

Government, Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other
    uniE621 Smart art app (UX approach)
    When designing the user experience for the art app, I started by researching the needs and behaviors of both professional and hobbyist artists to identify key pain points in digital creativity tools. I mapped out user flows and created wireframes that prioritized ease of navigation, intuitive tools, and minimal distractions to support a seamless creative process. Through iterative prototyping and user testing, I refined the interface to ensure features like brush selection, layer management, and gallery access were both accessible and efficient. My goal was to create an environment where users could focus on their artwork without being hindered by the interface—ultimately delivering an experience that felt as natural and inspiring as using a physical sketchbook.…
    uniE621 Brand development
    As a brand developer, I’ve helped shape and refine visual identities that align with each client’s vision and goals. From logo creation to full brand systems, I’ve built cohesive designs that communicate clearly across print, digital, and social platforms. My focus has always been on creating memorable, adaptable branding that stands out while remaining authentic to the core message.…
    uniE621 Brand design and creative logo development
    I specialize in crafting distinctive, memorable logos and brand identities that capture the essence of a company’s personality. My branding work blends strategic thinking with bold, creative design to help businesses stand out and connect with their audiences. I love helping brands come to life through thoughtful logo design and cohesive visual identities. Whether it's a startup looking for a fresh face or an established company in need of a refresh, I bring clarity, creativity, and personality to every branding project.…