Born in Nova Scotia, Canada and raised in High Falls, New York, Jana Baird Paterson moved to Brooklyn in 1986 to pursue a degree in graphic design at Pratt Institute. In 1990 she received her BFA in communications design, graduating with honors at the top of her class.
 
Throughout her school years she worked at design studios starting with Ross Culbert Holland & Lavery, where she worked closely with her mentor DK Holland. It was from the wisdom of DK that she found direction in such a vast field of design. Having worked for several years in a mid-sized design studio, she wanted to try a large corporate environment. She moved to CYB Yasumura, a commercial package design studio then under Y&R.
 
Yearning for the small design studio that gave her the control and freedom she needed, she moved to Tom Dolle Design. It was there, through Tom Dolle’s guidance and friendship, that she learned how to juggle many hats. She learned the business of design, client relations and a fundamental ethic that has stuck with her throughout her career. Be honest; listen to the needs of her clients and design always with their interest in mind.
 
In the fall of 1997 she co-founded gloo design with designer Carla Leighton, in 1999 she founded BAIRDesign, Inc. and became Jana Potashnik in 2002. awww.
 
Jana has developed identity and branding systems, promotional materials, packaging and publication designs for a wide range of clients. At BAIRDesign, inc. she provides total branding, marketing and package design for companies seeking integrated concept development to create a complete visual identity.

The studio’s current projects cover a wide range of industries from consumer goods, travel related and public relations to entertainment and non-profits.

BAIRDesign, inc. also works in collaboration with advertising, marketing, public relations and other companies to create comprehensive design solutions for their clients.