Miranda Anthistle
A&E Reporter
As artistic director and senior editorial designer for numerous publications, former advertising and graphic design student Ashley McKenzie-Barnes juggles a hectic career making use of her many creative talents.
“I’m in the midst of opening my own studio where there will be more of an art focus,” said McKenzie-Barnes, who wants a space in Toronto to concentrate her design skills towards more personal projects outside of work.
(Courtesy) Ashley McKenzie-Barnes is working on opening her own art studio at the new Artscape condos on Queen Street.
“I’ll be moving into the Artscape condos in August where it’ll be based.”
Seventy units of the Artscape Triangle Lofts, located at Queen Street West, east of Dufferin Street, have been created specifically for artists and non-profit arts professionals to live and work in.
“The great thing about the lofts is that they maintain the artistic areas and communities of the city. They’re made for visual artists,” said McKenzie-Barnes, who graduated from Humber in 2005.
Her design concepts regularly grace the covers of magazines such as Sway, Cream, Caribana, Canadian Immigrant, and the newspaper Eye Weekly — just a few of the many contracts she has.
McKenzie-Barnes is currently designing the layout for spring issues of various magazines and is also working on the Toronto Centre for the Arts 2010 jazz series as its creative director.
“I saw Ashley’s work in a magazine and thought it was terrific,” said TOCentre marketing co-ordinator Darcy Hoover.
“I knew immediately that I wanted her unique, signature style to design the jazz series.”
Hoover described the style as very colourful with an urban flavour.
Advertising and graphic design professor Dawn Lambert said McKenzie-Barnes was a memorable student not only because of her creativity, but because of her wardrobe as well.
“One thing I’ll never forget is that she had great clothes. We’d also always discuss design and have a good a time,” said Lambert.
“I’m really proud of her. She had a big learning curve and was able to go out and be successful after school.”
McKenzie-Barnes said she defines success by achieving her goals.
“It’s not measured by money, but by creating the creative career I want for myself and living it.”
Congratulations Ashley, you continue to make everyone around you very proud. Keep up the excellent work.
Your greatest fan.