Michael takes the lead on all creative projects

Michael Barker joined Root Fifty-Two at the start of the pandemic in May 2020 as a graphic and web designer. Yet despite Michael’s unusual start to our creative and marketing agency, he has made quite the impression on our clients.

Around the same time Michael joined r52, we began working with Pearson Ferrier Estate Agents, taking over their social media accounts to build on their brand awareness, acquire new followers and support them with marketing their homes across Greater Manchester.

Michael assisted Harriet, our social media executive with ad-hoc graphics to support her monthly plans, but it soon became apparent that what Pearson Ferrier really needed was a brand refresh, in order to realign their positioning locally, within the property industry.

Fast-forward 18 months and we now look after the whole of Pearson Ferrier’s design and marketing needs, including design for print, monthly blog articles and most recently, the launch of their new website, which we’re proud to announce, was nominated for Website of the Year at the 2021 Regional Agency Awards.

Michael’s eye for detail and ability to spin a brand completely on its head is second to none. Root Fifty-Two started as a graphic design business back when Kimberley set up as a sole trader in 2008 and it seems only fitting that nearly 15 years on, our creative offering has excelled to new heights.

As well as our exceptional digital marketing experience, design never takes a back seat. We’re providing our clients with the whole creative and brand package, and with Michael on board as our newly appointed Creative Lead, we can continue to expand on r52’s portfolio and ensure our clients’ branding is modern, fresh, and remaining consistent across all platforms.

All the work we produce is entirely bespoke and built around the needs of our clients, and more importantly, the user experience of their customers. Working closely with the client and the development team, both Michael and Graphic Designer, Lindsay produce effective designs that are influenced by current trends and research.

We work with an incredible array of clients throughout Lancashire and further afield from various industries, and it’s our dedication, teamwork and good customer relationships that has allowed r52 to build up a strong retention of clients.

“Michael enjoys working closely with clients and really getting to know who they are and what they’re all about in order to produce effective brand visuals and guidelines that ultimately communicate this,” says Root Fifty-Two director, Kimberley.

“This is a well-suited leadership role for Michael, due to the confidence he has in developing and presenting brand concepts, and the ongoing excellent communication and execution of client briefs – Michael gives them what they want every time! Since Michael joined us in 2020, he’s been heavily involved in idea generation for new brand concepts, whether that be for brands just taking off, like Mio Tutto, or companies requiring a full brand refresh, like CheckedSafe, and we’re excited to see where this new journey takes us.”

Michael will still be heavily involved in all graphic design jobs including logo and branding, design for print and web design, with his prime focus being on those clients needing the whole brand package.

“The new role is going to allow me to work more personally with our clients, current and new, from the very beginning of the briefing stage,” says Michael.

“By immersing myself in a client’s business, it’ll allow me to really see what they want, why they want it, and how we can help creatively. Sometimes project goals are obvious, and sometimes they’re not what you think they are, so my aim is to properly understand the purpose of the project, and produce a creative solution that’s successful.”

If you’re looking for a rebrand or you’re starting from scratch with a brand-new business idea, get in touch with us today. Feel free to pop in for a brew or we’ll come to you to discuss all things creative and marketing.