Michael Barker is a Toronto-based photographer and graphic designer. He is creative director at Acme Art & Design. Acme works collaboratively with clients to develop creative strategy, and craft custom design solutions, across multiple media and disciplines. Services include branding and visual identity development, creative strategy, social media strategy, web design, graphic design, photography, photo illustration, and production management. Past clients include the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Toronto, Victoria College, Emmanuel College, the Toronto Animated Image Society, the Images Festival, and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto.

A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design’s Sculpture & Installation program, Michael Barker began his career as a design professional with Bruce Mau Design in 1999 working on the studio’s Lifestyle monograph as well as books for ZONE and the Gagosian Gallery. Since then he has worked as the Communications Coordinator and Publications Designer for the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto, as an in-house Graphic Designer with both the University of Toronto and the Toronto International Film Festival, and as Design Manager at the Toronto Wildlife Centre. He is passionate about the potential of design to help non-profits and cultural organizations that don’t always have access to professional design resources or creative strategy.

His most recent photography exhibition was Bright Lights Dark City: Niagara Custom Lab and Toronto Experimental Film, a feature of the 2015 Contact Photography Festival. Bright Lights Dark City explored the history and culture of Niagara Custom Lab, Toronto’s last great motion picture film lab. Currently he is working on a collaborative project with writer Ariel Fielding, exploring the history and future of alternative schools in Toronto, and a large-scale project exploring apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes in popular culture. Past clients include Victoria College, Emmanuel College, and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto. Read Less