Education
Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, 2016
Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT
Exhibited and presented thesis work entitled Little Brown Girl: Essays on the Influence of Black Womanhood in Visual Communication (or Vice-Versa).
Produced two blogs that documented graduate work at VCFA:
http://aldrenacorder.wix.com/onthethird (third-semester work)
think-make-do.blogspot.com (first-semester work)
Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, Graphic Design, 1997
Columbia College of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Honors Program graduate; Omicron Delta Kappa honors society; Who’s Who in America’s Colleges and Universities (1997);
Southern Honors College Conference presenter (1995); Southeastern Women’s Colleges Art Exhibit (1996)
EXPERIENCE
Creative Director
Vermont College of Fine Arts, 2023–Present
Serve as a liaison between Leadership, Admissions, and Programs to ensure clear communication, helping to translate VCFA’s marketing and enrollment objectives into creative strategies. Review existing branding guidelines and standards. Recommend and implement updates that better align with VCFA’s initiatives, voice, and audience.
Web Content and Design Manager
Vermont College of Fine Arts, 2022–2023
Managed the planning, organization, creation, and publication of content for VCFA’s site, focusing on engagement with alumnx and enrollment goals Led the homepage redesign, incorporating best practices in SEO and web design
Creative Director/Owner, 2021 – 2024
Only Lovely Creative, LLC
Develop graphic design products for a diverse customer base including identity packages for musical performers, posters and brochures for ministry-based and non-profit organizations, and wedding invitation branding packages.
Assistant Professor of Art & Design, Art Dept Chair 2020 – 2021
Columbia College of South Carolina
Administrative role
Oversee the academic and administrative needs of the Art program and department including budgeting, curriculum development, course scheduling, and advising. Hire and recommend adjuncts for courses and provide basic administrative operations of the Goodall Gallery.
Teaching/Academic role
Provided hands-on instruction in graphic design, 2D Color, and 3D design history, terminology, methodology, and practices to introductory and advanced level students; modified curriculum and assignments to foster creativity, improve technical skills, and develop strong portfolios; invited professionals from the local design and art community for lectures; toured local agencies, design and photography studios, and printing facilities; assisted students in seeking internship opportunities. Taught general education courses on social justice, gender, and identity issues.
Instructor of Graphic Design and Art, 2018-2021
Columbia College of South Carolina
Provided hands-on instruction in graphic design, 2D Color, and 3D design history, terminology, methodology, and practices to introductory and advanced level students; modified curriculum and assignments to foster creativity, improve technical skills and develop strong portfolios; invited professionals from the local design and art community for lectures; toured local agencies, design and photography studios and printing facilities; assisted students in seeking internship opportunities.
Creative Director, 2013 - 2018
South Carolina Bar
Managed and led the design team in the creative development of Bar materials; reviewed and managed creative and marketing budgets for Bar divisions; created and executed principal design for various print and online materials for internal clients, including the Bar’s annual Convention and the Law Practice Management Conference; coordinate production of projects with print vendors. Developed and implemented an extensive design and style manual for use in all S.C. Bar-CLE Division’s print publications; produced online newsletters for electronic distribution. Manage and train Communications Intern by assigning various projects that align with students’ educational goals.
Design Manager/Graphic Designer, 2004 - 2013
South Carolina Bar
Developed and implemented an extensive design and style manual for use in all S.C. Bar-CLE Division’s print publications; produced bimonthly publication SC Bar News; created and executed principal design for various print and online materials for internal clients, including the Bar’s annual Convention; coordinated production of projects with print vendors; assist senior staff in creative and budget planning.
Adjunct Instructor, Graphic Design, 2017-2018
Columbia College of South Carolina
Provided hands-on instruction in graphic design history, terminology, methodology, and practices to introductory and advanced level students; modified curriculum and assignments to foster creativity, improve technical skills and develop strong portfolios; invited professionals from the local design community for “real-world” lectures; toured local agencies, design and photography studios and printing facilities; assisted students in seeking internship opportunities.
Art Director, 2001 - 2003
SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Co-wrote, developed and implemented an extensive design and style manual for use in all South Carolina State Park Service’s print publications, signage, and ads; created and executed principal design for print materials and identity packages; coordinated production of projects with print and media vendors.
Graphic Designer/Web Maintenance Coordinator, 1997-2001
Semaphore, Inc.
Created and executed principal design for print materials and identity packages; coordinated production of projects with print and media vendors; prepared comps for presentation.
Web Maintenance Coordinator (1999-2001)
Supervised the maintenance and regular updates of Web accounts; coordinated production of projects with freelance designers and internet service providers.
Folk Arts Intern, Spring 1997
South Carolina Arts Commission
Provided administrative assistance to the Folk Arts Program director; cataloged works of South Carolina folk artists.
RESIDENCIES, PRESENTATIONS
& EXHIBITIONS
DesignHER Exhibition
Old Dominion University, Barry Arts Center, Norfolk, VA
August 2022
KaleidoLA Guest Artist Speaker Series at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles)
BIPOC Designers Experiences, Co-Presenter
March 18, 2021, Virtual
Making the Grade: How to Reduce Inherent Bias in Evaluating Creative Writing
Association of Writing Professionals (AWP) 2021 Conference
Co-Presenter, Panelist
March 7, 2021, Virtual
Little Brown Girl Rising
Keynote Speaker
UCDA Design Conference, Portland, OR
October 11, 2019
I AM: Reflections on Identity Through Visual Communications
Break out presenter, UDCA Conference, Portland, OR
October 11, 2019
2018 Nina Ballen Visiting Scholar Residency
New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
October 18-November 4, 2018
I AM: Reflections on Identity Through Visual Communications and Writing
Joint Exhibition with New Mexico Highlands University students
Las Vegas, NM
October 31-November 4, 2018
This Little Brown Girl
Joint Exhibition and Artist Talk with Tonya Gregg (“Her Own Majesty”)
Goodall Gallery at Columbia College of South Carolina
January 22-March 15, 2018; Artist Talk, March 9
The Designer of 2025: How Might Design Education Need to Evolve?
AIGA Design Education Conference/AIGA Design Conference
Minneapolis Metropolitan Convention Center, MN
October 10, 2017
This Skin I’m In
Design Connections Exhibition
Mosely Gallery at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Queen Anne, MD
October 19 -November 22, 2017
Little Brown Girl: Essays on the Influence of Black Womanhood in Visual Communication
AIGA NY Fresh Grad 2017 Presentation
Parsons School of Design, New York
June 1, 2017
Colorism and Implicit Bias in Graphic Design
The University of Central Oklahoma, OK
March 1, 2017
Colorism and Implicit Bias in Graphic Design
AIGA, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
January 24, 2017
AIGA South Carolina InShow 17 exhibition
November 2016-Spring 2017
Little Brown Girl: Essays on the Influence of Black Womanhood in Visual Communication (or Vice-Versa)
Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT
Thesis Presentation
October 14, 2016
Interrobang: VCFA Fall 2016 Thesis Exhibition
Vermont College of Fine Arts, VT
October 11-15, 2016
http://interrobang.vcfa.edu
Columbia College Art Alumnae Invitational Exhibition
Spring 2005
Senior Art Capstone Exhibition
Columbia College of South Carolina
April 1997
Southeastern Women’s Colleges Art Exhibition
1996