Illustrator Barry Artiz Nominated for 'Federal Employee of the Year' Award

Barry Artiz has been nominated in the South Florida Federal Executive Board's "Federal Employee of the Year" Awards Program.  He is competing among other federal employees nominated in the Technical category. Best wishes, Barry!

Barry Artiz tells people where to go and what to do without uttering a word.  As USPS Illustrator/Graphics Artist, this 22-year veteran created 3,000 informational and directional signs in 2011.  Whether it’s “Next, Please” directing customers to the retail counter, “Employee of the Month” recognizing a worker for a job well done, or “Stall 42” instructing employees where to dispatch the mail, his artistic talents are displayed at 190 Post Offices and processing plants from Fort Pierce to Key West.  In addition to creating signage, overall graphic arts assignments totaled 30,857 pieces in Fiscal Year 2011. 

Visit any South Florida Post Office and you’ll find yourself singing the popular 1970s tune from the Five Man Electrical Band.  “Signs, signs, everywhere a sign, blocking up the scenery, breaking my mind.  Do this, don’t do that.  Can’t you read the sign?”  Three feet by four feet.  Vinyl, magnetic, reflective.  Single and double sided.  With and without grommets.  Black and white or multi-colored.  Artiz has a message for every occasion, every reason, every season … and he delivers it all with sensitivity, creativity, and imagination that is second to none. 

Graphic design is the art and process of combining text and graphics that communicate an effective and efficient message with the design of text, logos, graphics, newsletters, brochures, posters, photos, images, signs, or any other kind of visual communication.  Artiz does all this and more.  Booklets, brochures, business cards, flyers.  Catalogs, clip art designs, decals.  Directional signage, maps, floor plans.  Artiz is a one-man print shop. 

Thanks to Artiz you’ll know the person sitting next to you at the executive leadership meeting.  He creates the tent cards and the name tags.  And while you’re reviewing those statistics and mulling over operating plans, you’ll thank him as your eyes drift to a colorful stamp enlargement on the wall.  Or you’ll focus your eyes on the framed artwork of the latest stamp issues courtesy of Artiz.

If you’re an employee learning the streets in a new territory, you’ll thank him for the matrix that helps you sort the mail to addresses within the ZIP Code.  And you’ll remember him when you receive the district newsletter at your home.  Artiz creates all graphics and layout designs, and photographs employees highlighted in each monthly issue.   

In addition to his regular workload, Artiz willingly accepts special assignments.  In May 2011, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service, contacted Artiz to create reward posters in English, Spanish and Creole in hopes of capturing suspects in a letter carrier murder. 

On his own initiative, Artiz learned to maintain and repair equipment, saving thousands of dollars for his employer in 2011.  Disassembling print head units and daily cleaning of equipment to factory standards has extended the life expectancy beyond the average two years. 

Artiz is a very caring person who reserves his “volunteer time” to help his family, friends, and neighbors --- whether it’s installing hurricane shutters, landscaping gardens, painting houses, running errands, or modernizing interior designs.