As an art director in 1989. Photo by Steve Bloch.
A bit more recent. Photo by Maria Kim.
I’m Barry Hansen, and I started Hansen Creative in 1995 after eight years as an advertising art director. While majoring in graphic design at Brigham Young University, I found I loved the challenge of creating visual and verbal concept-oriented communication. So my first job out of college was at a small ad agency in Dallas, Texas, followed by another small agency in Portland, Oregon. I liked how small agencies allowed me to do art direction and some copywriting, as well as graphic design, for a wide variety of clients and projects. I became a freelancer so I could have greater control over clientele, more flexibility in where my family and I lived, and the freedom to work completely hands-on instead of managing others.
I enjoy creating order from disorder and finding creative solutions to challenging marketing objectives for print or screen. I’m an organizer and a simplifier. I have found the saying to be true that “If I’d had more time I’d have written a shorter letter.” In other words, simplicity and clarity don’t happen naturally; they require effort, reduction and restraint. I’m also a believer in not saying too much; not beating your prospect over the head with your message. As a San Francisco agency principal once said (unfortunately I can’t remember his name): “Overstatement does not ensure understanding. It only denies your best prospect the chance to get interested.” The same principle applies in film and music, especially lyric writing. (I’m also a singer, songwriter and recording artist—listen on Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube or Spotify.)’’
My work in Texas, Oregon, Washington, Utah and now Idaho has allowed me to associate with and learn from many fellow designers and art directors, as well as copywriters, illustrators, photographers, film directors, developers, and account managers. I have the ability to put together virtual creative teams as needed.
Those who have influenced my work and career and served as mentors include Adrian Pulfer, Scott Eggers, Willie Baronet, Jeanie Coates, and Dave Born. Many thanks.
My client experience includes a number of healthcare-related companies (American Heart Association, A-dec, several hospitals, home health, imaging, and rehab companies), publishers (Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain, Gibbs Smith, independent authors), Utah’s music industry (Sounds of Zion, Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain, independent artists), and other areas such as paper products (Georgia-Pacific), transportation (UDOT), private education, technology, financial services, non-profits (United Way, Volunteers of America, Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts), real estate, custom furniture, auto body, and online retail. My work has received awards and been published over the years.
Below: the original Hansen Creative self-promotional ad campaign, circa 1995.
