TYLER, Texas — Cody Brenner, a sophomore at Tyler Junior College, won the National Institute for Staff and Organized Development 2019 Student Graphic Design Contest.
NISOD is a professional organization that promotes excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at communities and technical colleges.
Out of 100 entries from over 36 schools nationwide, his artwork was chosen.
“I was completely taken off guard,” Brenner said after his award was announced during a surprise presentation in class. “I still can’t believe it.”
Throughout the year, his winning design will appear on all promotional materials related to NISOD’s 2020 conference, which includes posters, brochures and web graphics.
In addition to Brenner winning $1,000 in cash, he will attend the 2019 NISOD convention next month in Austin. He will be officially unveiling his design, which is currently wrapped waiting for its debut.
Brenner is a Carrollton native who followed his twin sister, Kayli, to TJC two years ago.
He says visual design was always an interest for him, but it was not until he attended TJC where he gained better knowledge.
“I had always been interested in photography and design but had no formal training in either,” Brenner said. “When I came to the visual communications department at TJC, I really learned the ins and outs of the design software and how the technology works.”
“Cody has exceptional skills and has created wonderful design throughout his time here," Brenner’s professor Rebecca Stewart said. "I’m thrilled that one of our students’ designs won this competition. This was our first time to submit, and all six of the submitted designs were great.”
As for his design, coming up with an idea had Brenner looking back at the past winners.
“The first thing I did was to go and look at the past winners, so I could see what they were looking for,” Brenner said. “I saw that they were choosing very simplistic, minimalistic designs, which I’m also a big fan of.”
He also noticed the previous three winners were all from Ohio.
“Their designs had a lot of cactus, desert and cow skills. Honestly, I associate that type of thing more with Arizona than I did Texas, and I saw this as a chance for someone who lives in Texas to portray Texas as it really is,” Brenner explained. “So, I put in a cowboy boot, but I also wanted to dive into the fact that education isn’t strictly about textbooks and rulers.”
Brenner adds items signifying technology into his design. Adding a cell phone, computer screen and a globe to express the far-reaching capacity of education.
“We’re in a new era of technology in teaching, and there’s a lot more than just books and paper now,” Brenner said. “So, I wanted to make sure to put that in as well because that’s where we are.”
Brenner said he is still considering his plan after TJC but is certain it will be in the creative path.
