KGI Design Group Of Farmingdale Celebrates 30 Years With 'Fulfilling' Eye Toward Charity

FARMINGDALE, NY — KGI Design Group of Farmingdale is celebrating 30 years.

Kim Poulos Lieberz founded the creative solutions and visual communicates agency in 1994. Poulos Lieberz said she has always had a passion for art, drawing often as a child.

"As a teenager my entire bedroom wall was covered with snippets of logos, typography, interesting art and photos," Poulos Lieberz told Patch. "A virtual life size collage pasted to 'my wall.' Who knew that would someday become an everyday term?"

Poulos Lieberz said she used to play a game when she was about 8 years old. She called it "insurance company" and made all of her neighbors "clients."

Poulos Lieberz's love of art, design and imagination led her to obtaining a BFA in advertising design with a focus on graphic design. She has worked as a designer and art director in many types of companies, from various small design firms in New York City to large advertising agencies, as well as in-house design groups in the financial and entertainment industries.

"After all of these past lives, I have brought my passions, my earliest dreams, my entrepreneurial spirit and my many inspirations, along with my years of experience and expertise and combined them to create KGI Design Group," she said.

It was scary to not have a "job," Poulos Lieberz said, but with a baby at home, and her mother-in-law's encouragement, she quit her 9 to 5 job and "just went for it."

KGI Design Group specializes in creating impactful advertising, memorable branding, and strategic marketing campaigns. Their expertise extends to graphic design for collateral, serving both large corporations and small businesses across diverse industries—from construction and pharmaceuticals to aerospace, insurance, real estate, sports networks, and cable TV entertainment. The agency provides comprehensive solutions encompassing print, social media, digital marketing, video production, branding, direct mail, presentations, logo design, advertising, social media management, email marketing, infographics, website development, high-end 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and strategic consultancy. KGI’s approach focuses on understanding where clients are today, where they aspire to be, and the audiences they aim to engage.

The business also works with private companies, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies
such as NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Department of Correction. It
also collaborates with major engineering firms to support projects and community outreach for
the NYS Department of Transportation, the MTA, and more.

The business has come a long way. When Poulos Lieberz first founded Kimberleigh Graphics, she and her husband had just purchased their first home in Levittown. She ran her business out of the front bedroom of their home. She could fit three people in a row, side-by-side, in the bedroom.

"We could actually use each other's computer mouses we were so tight," she said.

The couple then moved to Farmingdale, and her office was located in her basement.

"It was perfect when my kids were young," she said. "But eventually they grew up, and the basement no longer suited our needs. It was time for my business to grow beyond those walls. Plus, even though I had been working for many years and had MSG Network as a client, it never felt 'real.' So I decided I would find an office."

She took her chance in February 2012 and rented an office at 280 Main St., Suite 34, Farmingdale.

"Now we are here 14 years and seven rooms later," she said.

KGI Design Group also aims to consistently engage with nonprofit organizations, providing both
pro-bono design services and financial sponsorship.

The group has been working with the American Cancer Society for past eight years. It has worked with other charities in the fields of childhood illness, animals in need, and especially U.S. veterans.

Poulos Lieberz recalled that in 1996, her group was asked to work with the International Rett Syndrome Association (IRSA). Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that affects one in 10,000 females — and even more rarely in males — and begins to display itself in missed
milestones or regression at 6 to 18 months. Rett syndrome leads to severe impairments, affecting
nearly every aspect of life: ability to speak, walk, eat and breathe easily. The hallmark of Rett
syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake.

Poulos Lieberz worked directly with the association's founder, Kathy Hunter, as Hunter's daughter, Stacie, was the first girl diagnosed with Rett syndrome in the United States, she said. The IRSA needed custom collateral and imagery to tell their story, create a brand, be cohesive and recognizable while boosting awareness, Poulos Lieberz said.

"It became near and dear to my heart - IRSA was changed to the IRSF when Kathy retired and the went in a different direction," Poulos Lieberz said. "However, to do this day, we still work with the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association and have been an honoree at their gala."

Poulos Lieberz said when her business was just starting, she was excited to simply create and develop brands — she says her group gave the IRSA its definitive purple color theme it is now known for. As the mother of two boys, Poulos Lieberz had never heard of Rett syndrome but felt drawn to help.

"I feel that God has given me this gift, and it is my duty to use it to the best of my ability for the
benefit of as many people as possible who truly need it," Poulos Lieberz said.

As KGI Design Group grew, Poulos Lieberz realized how much this work fulfilled her and her team in "so many ways" and how her staff was "grateful to create something meaningful" by reading stories and meeting those affected by Rett syndrome or cancer survivors, to creating graphics, videos, and attending events where money is being raised to change lives.

"It’s very fulfilling," Poulos Lieberz said. "And that we can do all of this and maybe help a cancer patient get a free stay at American Cancer Society Hope Lodge — well, that just brings me to tears."

Poulos Lieberz said her advice to other business owners looking to help charities is "just get involved."

"There is a charity for EVERYTHING, and no give back is too small," she said. "And you don't need to let it overwhelm you — you can keep it under control fiscally and time-wise. Giving back opens up opportunities to network and meet people out of your usual industry, offers content for promotion and social, it inspires your staff and could change a life."

Poulos Lieberz said her favorite part of the past 30 years is soaking it all in and realizing what she's accomplished.

"Well I can’t believe I did this? Like what?" she said. "It has and continues to have challenges. But 30 years? Even I am shocked. I think my favorite part is for our 30-year celebration — yet to happen — I asked our office manager to pull out all of our employee/consultant files — and it was a stack! How many young designers and college and high school kids have come through our doors - some have stayed and some have moved on but still so many come back. I love that."

Poulos Lieberz likes to walk down Main Street, look at logos, and say, 'Oh, we did that!'" Or she would be in the city, looking at Madison Square Garden where a 100-foot poster is up, and if a passerby asks her why she's taking a photo of the poster, she'll reply, 'We created that!'" she said.

Some of KGI Design Group's higher profile clients include Rainbow Media and its stations at
the time, including American Movie Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American
Sports Classics, the Romance Network, MuchMusic, according to Poulos Lieberz. KGI worked with MSG Network for many years where they created ads on a daily basis for the New York Islanders, Rangers, Knicks, Liberty, Red Bulls, and more.

Poulos Lieberz said her daily business quote is "My least favorite part of business is the business of business!" as she enjoys the creative versus the financial aspects. But her life motto and
inspirational quote is, "If you are invited to a pool party ... swim! Just jump in, don’t worry
about who is judging you and have a good time!" Both are copyrighted by Kim Poulos Lieberz.