What’s the best way to build your design skill set after graduating? By jumping in and getting your hands dirty.
I joined Barretto-Co. as a junior design consultant in February 2025. Six months later, here are my top six takeaways about the creative process.
Design is learning from experts
You name the expertise related to branding, and someone at Barretto knows someone for the job. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in conversations with color specialists, photographers, and marketing professionals. Only a month after beginning my work with Barretto-Co., I attended an in-person client meeting in San Francisco, where I was immersed in my first brainstorming session for a comprehensive brand identity revamp.
Design is problem-solving
What happens when things don’t go according to plan? When the painter for MetWest High School in Oakland encountered issues finding the right color paint, I drove to a paint store near the high school to obtain the perfect color match for the wall-to-wall dragon mural we had designed. After all, nothing says school pride like a dragon mascot painted on the wall- we needed to get the color correct.
Design is exploration
Explore, ideate, create! Barretto-Co. doesn’t just present one idea to the client; we test and explore dozens, and then present the two or three best options. Such is the case when solving a problem like new packaging. What does the branding look like on every product in the line? How about in every color? Every flavor? On the shelf with competitors? Every exploration is an opportunity for creativity to strike.
Design is understanding
The Ecology Center has been a driving force for change for more than 50 years. The first step in creating their new Impact Report was to research their history and the impact they have on their community. This crucial first step—research and understanding—became integral to our design. We created a decades-long timeline showcasing the Ecology Center’s influence as well as a motion graphic illustrating how their local impact results in global change.
Design is collaboration
Don’t be afraid to receive feedback! Sometimes when I’ve been staring at my design for too long, another pair of eyes is exactly what I need. When designing the Carnegie Foundation’s Research & Development Agenda report, I created multiple versions of each page, and the team helped me refine and improve my concepts. And guess what? It made my work a million times better.
Design is fun
At Barretto-Co, there is always something new around the corner. In just 6 months, I have worked on website designs, logos, print reports, a mural, t-shirts, product packaging, social media posts, digital ads, and more. This is why I love design—I’m constantly exploring and getting my hands on new projects. So, what’s next?
By Sierra Randel, Junior Designer
