Norwalk Community College

Spotlight

Leigh Ryan, Graphic Design Certificate, 2012

Identity, Graphic Design II

For as long as I could remember, I loved design and politics. Believing that I had to choose between the two, I chose law. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science, and continuing on to obtain a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. However, after practicing law of a few years, it was obvious that I chose the wrong profession.

I took the first step to change my career and follow my passion for design in 2011. I enrolled at Norwalk Community College in the Graphic Design Certificate program, which was specifically designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree in any other topic.

While pursuing my certificate, I was fortunate enough to obtain an internship with a prestigious design firm, Alexander Isley, Inc. There, I not only gained first hand knowledge of the business of design, but also met some truly amazing and supportive designers. I was thrown to everything from creating signage for Goodwill of Northern and Western Connecticut, creating e-mail blasts for Max Restaurant Group, creating applications and various forms for the Oakwood Friends School and coming up with aspects of stationery design for the Yiddish Book Center. With each project, it involved many people, including the clients, and several designers who mentored and guided me throughout the process.

After leaving Alexander Isley’s firm, I was given an amazing opportunity to work as a designer in the Exhibit Department for Stepping Stones Museum for Children. There, I am experiencing and learning all aspects of the design process. I’ve had the opportunity to help develop two identities, the Solar Express and The Frog Prince and Other Tales, and am in the process of developing more. The most amazing part about working at Stepping Stones Museum for Children is that every day there are different and interesting projects, from staining and painting various props, to signage, digital media and interactive games, to creating identities.

I plan on continuing with Stepping Stones for as long as possible. It’s rewarding for me to look back and see how my decision to go back to school at NCC was a positive investment and a choice I’d make again in a heartbeat. NCC really facilitated this change for me and I feel so fortunate to have a career doing what I love.