About Me

Rainbow Poffinbarger, GraPhic Designer

LEE CREEK, BC = HOME

I started my design career in Salmon Arm, BC, after finishing my degree in Visual Communications and Graphic Design, from the Alberta University of Art & Design in Calgary, AB. After living away for a number of years, I wanted to be home again, near family and friends.

I learned the ropes of small town newspaper graphics and layout at Lakeshore News but eventually moved to the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market News and the Eagle Valley News. A few more years pass and I start to yearn for a bit more – something fresh. I landed a job at the Westender (WE) in Vancouver and made a move to the next big city.

Working in the newspaper industry for many years gave me a strong knowledge of printing, marketing and advertising design. But independently through freelance work, I was gaining experience in a wide range of projects; websites, posters, photo editing, tattoos, forms and official docs (worked at ICBC) and many more.

As my career progressed I began moving from 2D to 3D design, learning to create work that would live in an environment created by others. I worked with interior designers and architects to create commercial spaces in Canada, all over the US and abroad, using signage and strategic art placement to add a layer to the environmental design. Ultimately this experience (all the fabrication and production tools was exactly what I needed to be successful as a graphic designer in the film and television industry, my next career move.

As a graphic design in the film/tv world I was creating art for props, signage, or anything that might be required to blend in or pop out on screen. The wide range of different graphics in this industry allowed for new avenues of design; such as costume, set decoration, makeup and prop design.

During this time I have maintained my community and home connection in Lee Creek with the goal of returning to and fixing up my mothers house. (Built by my dad and other community members over the last 40+ years.) Unfortunately our community was hit hard by the fire and we lost a number of houses including all of my families. Through the tragedy I realized, again, that I needed to be home, near my family, friends and roots.

As I continue to establish my graphic design business in the Shuswap I would like to offer a trade or barter system for services. I can help your business branding, signs, car decals, whatever you need in exchange for the services you provide; anything goes!

I’m hoping to: plant trees, build a small home, help restore the land to it’s new life and move past the burn.