Page 14 The Fayetteville Press March 2011

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Successful graphic artist Byron Harris has Fayetteville ties

North CarolinaA&T State University

ncat.edu

This is where learning happens.

Sometimes, a classroom is more than a space fi lled with desks, students and a

professor. Sometimes it’s a gateway—a place where we fi nally begin answering

the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” At North Carolina A&T State University, we off er students the chance to see themselves in the careers

they’ve dreamt of pursuing. That means ensuring that the learning experience at our

university mirrors the world awaiting our students

after they leave. Because at A&T, a degree doesn’t

mean you’re fi nished learning. It means you’re

about to begin making a diff erence in the world.

by Jae McKraePeople say if you really want to make it in

your craft, whatever “it” might be, you have toleave home. Byron Harris, a longtime Fayettevilleresident, is a living testimony of that old adage.

Professional graphic artist Byron Harris,son of William Harris Sr. and L. Rebecca Har-ris, moved to Fayetteville from Hempstead, LongIsland, New York with his brothers in the late70s. He attended Westover Middle School andHillcrest Middle School before going to TerrySanford High School.

Byron was intrigued with art early on. “Mymother was a big influence and she actuallyboosted my interest in drawing,” Byron said.“One of the things she taught me was how todraw a monkey from the number 8. To this day,I still remember how to design it.”

As a teenager, Byron was a big fan of graf-fiti, and it wasn’t long before he was making aname for himself as a graffiti artist; Byron alsohad a strong interest in sports. At Terry Sanford,he was on the track team, and he played defen-sive end on the football team. In 1985-86, thefootball team made history as co-Championsagainst Greensboro Page. By graduation in 1986,Byron had lettered in football and track, andearned the Senior Artist Award.

Having a competitive spirit, Byron wasdriven to succeed in whatever he did. He startedleaving his mark on walls, trains and even cloth-ing. “Back then—the 80’s, was all about Hip Hopand fashion. Jean Jackets with graffiti on theback was sure to set things in motion,” he said.“Getting paid in high school designing jackets forclassmates or whoever had the cash made life alittle easier.” After he graduated from TerrySanford, Byron spent time at Winston-SalemState University. In college, Byron supplementedhis income air brushing clothing and designingflyers. “My father was a major influence; hetaught me how to make money off my talents,”Byron said. “College life was hard enough, butwhen I had money in my pocket from my talent,it made college life all the better.”

With an itch to experience more, Byron leftcollege to join the United States Army in April,1989. “I knew if I wanted the world to under-stand who I was as an artist, I had to leave North

Carolina.” Not long after joining the Army, hewas introduced to designing on a computer; hispursuit of excellence with his art was unrelent-ing. He started designing posters and flyers aswell as NCO awards and plaques. As a soldier,he was a 19 Delta Calvary Scout. Some of hisduties included: Securing and preparing ammuni-tion on scout vehicles; loading, clearing, and fir-ing individual and crew-served weapons, andperforming navigation during combat. He wasstationed at Ft. Irwin in California. Byron is alsoa Gulf War Veteran who trained at The NationalTraining Center—NTC. “I was apart of A Com-pany Operations Group aka The Dragons. At thiscenter, part of my war training actually involved‘live-fire’ exercises.”

After four years in the military, Byron washonorably discharged. He remained in Californiafor a short time before moving to Las Vegas towork for Paradise Graphics as a graphic artist.About a year later, he was promoted to creativedirector. “Paradise Graphics was a small shop ofgraphic artists, production artists and screen print-ers. We designed graphics for slot and pokermachines in the casinos,” Byron said. Billionairecasino magnet Steve Wynn and Andrew Pascalof the Bellagio, Venetian and Wynn Hotels wereon the company’s impressive list of major clients.Later, the company was sold to CDS, CasinoData Systems, and Byron continued as the cre-ative director. Years of success passed and thecompany earned countless awards, however,Byron once again found himself at the crossroads.Casino Data Systems was acquired by the sec-ond largest gaming manufacturer in the World,Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., a Sydney Austra-

lia company. “I had lived and worked inLas Vegas for 13 ½ years as a creativedirector, but once I got that incredible sev-erance package from Casino Data Sys-tems, I knew it was time to step awayfrom the corporate world.” So, he startedhis own company, GraphixStudio B, Inc.With tremendous confidence and a newtitle, the CEO/President was ready to sur-mount another mountain.

“85% of my company was doing busi-ness with casinos—designing slots, pokerand signs for Bally Gaming, Sierra DesignGroup, ISD Games, Mikohn Gaming andRich Fiore & Associates.” A lot of his cli-ents were casino owners, but, “I still en-joyed working with regular, everyday cli-ents,” Byron said.

Byron’s company offers an array ofgraphic designs. Examples are CorporateIdentity Packages, Logo, Website Design,Promotional Design and 3D Designs.Byron has also worked with Mike Tyson’sTeam Tyson and Tyson Alliance, WFL,Women’s Football League, and severalprofessional actors and athletes. He alsocreated a number of sports designs, ca-sino games as well as cartoon characters.Byron said he can customize your order.“If you envision it, we can create it!” In2009, he also kicked off a clothing line ofcustom tees:www.marqscustomtees.com

Today, GraphixStudio B, Inc. is inCharlotte; the company was established inJuly 1993. I always say wherever you arein life, you drove yourself there, and Byroncontinues his drive to excellence. Becauseof his attention to detail and after being asatisfied client, Taneish Leslie, the publisherof J’Adore Magazine, hired him to designand write for the publication. Byron’s re-sponsibilities include developing cover de-signs, editing and manipulating photos,website designs, product designs and otherfacets that promote the magazine.

Because of Byron’s experience, he’sable to offer outstanding guidance and pro-fessionalism on the development of his

client’s projects. “Whether your project involves silkscreen prints ordigital imaging, GraphixStudio B can assist and help meet your budgetwithout sacrificing quality.” Byron encourages all artists, especiallyyoung artists, to learn about computer design. “This is where they canreally shine if they apply themselves.”

We salute the highly sought graphic artist Byron Harris, a TerrySanford graduate and Army veteran who is proud to call Fayettevillehome. He has demonstrated what can happen when you persevereand follow your dreams! To connect with Byron Harris, send all in-quiries to: graphixstudiob@gmail.com