Creative Agencies

Fashion

Health & Fitness

Co-Owner / Designer

My background includes over 18+ years as a Senior Designer with a focus on packaging concepts, design and printing. In the Beauty and Skincare industry I have had the opportunity to design packaging, tradeshow materials, sales and marketing materials for EcoLogix, Paul Mitchell Systems, L’Oréal, American Crew, Rusk and Conair. In the Food and Beverage industry I created
packaging and labels for several retail companies such as Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sam’s Club and Target.
While working with MPA Media/ Modality Partners as a Senior Designer, I joined the marketing team to develop strategic planning and development for clients including print advertising and web design. I also created interactive advertising for mobile devices using Mag+.
Over my career I have been involved with every aspect of packaging and labeling:
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams as well as clients to create effective labeling and packaging materials 
• Create, layout and revise company product documentation using established style guides, templates and branding guidelines
• Coordinate and implement multi-language translations into support and packaging materials - Spanish and French
• Finalize all packaging artwork, electronic files and prepare for production, including press checks
• Art direction of product and model photo shoots
• Manipulate artwork layouts to conform to existing and newly developed die-lines
• At Big Train I worked directly with the nutritionist to ensure packaging design compliance with the FDA
I also bring to the table strong computer proficiencies in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Mag+, Acrobat, Quark XPress, MS Word, and MS Excel. I work on both Mac and PC platforms.

A brand new design group that specializes in art, marketing and media for museums, parks, zoos and aquariums. Calamari Design Group was founded in 2012 by a small group of passionate zoo and aquarium geeks. Founders Chris Barela and Melissa Bowers have worked in the industry for
over 15 years with diverse backgrounds in Graphic Design, Wildlife Biology, Educational Programing, Volunteer Management,Theming and Interactive Software Design. By founding Calamari Design Group, we saw an opportunity to share our mutual love for science and education with the public. To tailor our expertise to the unique needs of each project, we team up with additional craftsmen, writers, scientists, historians, artists, media experts and other specialists to help make your organization’s dream a reality.

More than 18 years of design experience working with high profile companies to develop marketing,
advertising and branding, with particular emphasis on packaging design, branding and marketing. I also design for zoos, museums and aquariums. I am a skilled illustrator and caricaturist.

Freelance Designer

Find out detailed information about Chris Barela, Co-Owner / Designer in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Chris Barela: Co-Owner / Designer in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Chris Barela

Calamari Design

www.chrisbarela.com

Diablo Valley College