Student Experience: Glenda Williams

“In 1993, I re-entered the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for over a decade. I’d been involved in the arts all my life but didn’t think I could actually make a living doing something that I enjoyed so much. That changed the day my supervisor called me into his office and said, ‘I want you to take over ordering anything that has our logo on it.’

“When my company began asking me to do print layouts, it was time to get some training. The Visual Communications program at Brookhaven was a perfect fit because I was able to take one or two courses per semester while still keeping my full-time job.  “Deciding to enroll in college in my 30s was a bit scary. I wondered if I would be the oldest person in class and whether I would be able to keep up with the other students. My worries were completely unfounded. I met students of all different ages from all over the world, and I had no problem keeping up. 

“The most important thing I learned at Brookhaven was how to use restraint in my design. I thank Jerry Hill for that lesson. For an entire semester, Mr. Hill didn’t allow the use of computers; every typographical element, every line, every illustration had to be done by hand. That forced me to be very careful about what elements I really wanted in my composition, for if it ended up being ‘too much,’ I would have to start over again! That lesson proves its worth to me every single day. 

“I am also grateful for the time I spent as cartoonist for the Brookhaven Courier. Thank you, Dr. John Neal! That was a lot of fun but it also helped me learn how to be creative on a deadline. I still get a kick out of looking at all my Rabbitz comic strips.  “During my time at Brookhaven, my employer gave me a chance to use my growing skills on the job. Being a good student made me a better employee and vice versa. Before long, I was no longer just assembling other designers’ work into printable form — I had become part of the design team. Now I get to do something I love to do, every day.”

Glenda Williams earned an associate degree in Visual Communications at Brookhaven in 2002. She launched her own company, Glenda Williams Art & Design, in 2011. The company provides a variety of creative services that include original fine art, illustration, print and Web design, and vehicle lettering. She worked at Video Post and Transfer for 18 years, the last 16 years as a designer.

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