Alumni Update: Interview with Rebecca Tansel
Posted in Uncategorized.
What year did you graduate and what is your official job title / employer?
Graduated in 2015, Got the job at The Blade as a Digital Media Producer September of 2017
What website(s) if any should we list?
My portfolio is on Behance https://www.behance.net/rebeccatansel
My work history and background is on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaraetansel/
What year did you graduate BGSU? Is your degree a BFA in graphic design?
Graduated in 2015 with my BFA in Graphic Design after going to BGSU for 6 years (Started in Art Education then switched majors 3 years in because I realized I like making art, NOT teaching it). I wanted to minor in marketing and took some marketing courses but was unable to handle that load with having a child entering into college, working full time and then graduating BGSU pregnant with my second child.
What advice would you give for students currently in the program?
Play, Play, and Play some more! Get yourself immersed in the Adobe suite by playing around in the top three (Ai, Ps, Id) during any downtime you have then explore the other programs too! Also, I know reading isn’t fun, but it made a huge difference when we were trying to digest code, building websites, and all that jazz. So read your books.
Why did you choose BGSU to study design?
BGSU was close to Toledo ( I lived with my husband in Toledo and commuted each week) plus, it has better teaching and design programs than UT and any of the other colleges around.
What areas of the Blade do you feel is becoming out of date graphicly?
The print industry on a national scale is declining. Our sister company, the Post Gazzette removed 4 print days and we have already removed 2. So, I’d say the print industry is declining as advertising and newspapers are focusing on moving things digitally.
I looked at your LinkedIn profile what about Explore 419 interest you the most?
Explore 419 is a fun part of the job. We get to get out in the community and share the events that are local. It gets us away from our computer screens and lets up tie in the design work that we do with the social happenings.
What is a graphic design goal that you have for yourself personally/ professionally?
My personal goal is to continue to expand my design knowledge and capabilities as the industry grows. I want to continue to enjoy what I’m doing and not lose my passion.
How does your job now compare to the others you had in the past?
Before working at the Blade, I worked at a call center where we sold over 35 different infomercial products. I started my freshman year in college and worked there 5 years. This job helped expand my marketing and sales knowledge, which goes hand-in-hand with graphic design. Graphic design is influencing people with visual communication while sales is influencing people through verbal communication. They both play off of emotionally stimulation which made it easier for me in understanding the design field.
Last question, I appreciate your time. What is your personal Manifesto? If you do not have one what is some words of wisdom that really helped you out?
Grind. Always strive for more and don’t settle for less than what you are capable of. Also, my faith in God helped me a ton. With all of the obstacles I have overcome, I would not have been able to do it without God and my church family who kept me encouraged. I don’t have a “personal manifesto” but I do have a Life Verse that reminds me of what I need to keep my focus on.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:6-8
interviewed by T.V. Layson