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I am so excited to introduce Kim Barnoski, UX designer, baker extraordinaire, and one of our newest team members at Foster Made!

Q: Kim, welcome to the team! Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from?

A: I’m from Ithaca, a small city in the middle of the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York where there are a ton of wineries, cideries, and new breweries thanks to the lakefront terroir.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your journey to design. What initially sparked your interest? How did things evolve from there?

A: It feels like design was just always an obvious path for me. I’ve always loved art and I feel that my focus is better kept through creative means. I chose to study graphic design for its marriage of creativity and technology, and as time passes there seem to be more and more ways to expand upon my design skills. I love that our industry is always changing and challenging us to learn and grow.

Q: Foster Made is a bit far from Ithaca. How did you hear about us?

A: The internet, of course! When I saw that a company in Richmond was hiring a UX Designer it initially caught my eye because I have family there and I love visiting.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your role at Foster Made?

A: I’m beyond excited to work with all of the amazing people at Foster Made. Collaboration is a means of improvement and the people here are so helpful. I’m pretty pumped to work from the comfort of my own home, but I’m definitely going to have FOMO when this week of onboarding in Virginia is over. This office is literally my dream workspace.

Q: What is something that has helped you continue to learn and grow as a designer? Do you have any favorite resources that you’d recommend?

A: I’m feeling redundant now, but working with different people has been the best means of growth for me as a designer. My favorite things to turn to are conferences, books, online resources and blogs like Skillshare, Dribbble, and the Design Better blog. And podcasts! 99% Invisible is a great podcast for any and all creative minds.

Q: Is there a step in the design process that you particularly enjoy?

A: The beginning of a new project is always such an exciting and aspirational time.

Q: What are some things you like to do outside of office hours?

A: The older I get the less I like running and the more I like walking. So, now, I like going for walks with my dog especially when its nice out which is only for a hot minute in Ithaca, NY. I also practice yoga, garden, go wine/cider tasting in the Finger Lakes, and cook/bake quite a lot during the weekends. My husband and I run a couple Airbnb’s too so that forces us to keep up with the Jones’ in our free time.

Q: Do you watch the Great British Bake Off? I saw on Instagram that you’d made a marble mirror glazed cake and it took me right back to Sophie’s Ode to the Honeybee showstopper in Series 8. The marble mirror glaze is no joke! (Also, your cake was beautiful!)

A: Yes!! My baking wish list consists of everything on this show. High up on that list is mastering dough lamination so I can make pastries and croissants. I also follow a lot of bakers and pastry chefs on Instagram.

Q: What’s one skill you’d be excited to acquire? It can be practical or impractical, your choice.

A: I would just really love to be able to speak my pet’s languages so I can ask my dog if she actually loves me or if it's all about the treats and belly rubs and so I can ask my cat why he’s so obsessed with me and if there is a way I can help him find more hobbies.

Q: What inspires you?

A: Other cultures. I went to Spain two years ago (my first travel abroad) and still struggle to express how amazing and meaningful that trip was to me.

Q: Living in the state of New York, I know that you’re able to experience the seasons in all of their glory. Is there a time of the year that you enjoy the most? The least?

A: I’m team summer all the way. However, maybe that will change now that I don’t have to drive in scary winter conditions to work every day.

Q: Do you have a favorite kind of tree?

A: I love Japanese maple trees. My husband and I have both always loved them, so we decided we would plant one (or two) wherever we bought our first house together. We bought our house in winter, so when Spring rolled in and the leaves grew back, we discovered we already had a huge Japanese Maple in our back yard which felt like a sign we’d chosen the right place.

Q: Sometimes I really enjoy reading those NYT “36 Hours” articles. In fact, I read one today! If you could have 36 hours in any place, where would you go and why?

A: I would definitely go to space. But I’d want to be on a rocket with a really good astronaut because I’d want to come back right at that 36-hour mark.

Q: Do you enjoy reading? What is one book that you’d recommend to a stranger? How about to a friend?

A: My love for reading comes and goes. I think my attention span with books is a little short. Unbroken and The Martian were both good ones that kept me up at night. I laughed a lot while reading The Martian.

Q: And finally, what have you been listening to lately? Music, podcasts, lectures, silence? This question is open for interpretation.

A: I am always down to listen to something 80s/90s old school hip hop or pop. I avoid silence at all times and even use a fan to sleep at night just for the noise.