Anna Messer (‘22), design communications graduate, has quickly made her mark in the world of graphic design. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Anna works as a freelance graphic designer, tackling diverse projects across various industries.
Anna's Belmont experience, particularly her time in Watkins College of Art, played a crucial role in shaping her career path.
"Watkins classes taught me how invaluable design is as a form of communication,” she shared. “It has the power to entice, to persuade, to teach, to celebrate. They taught me the importance of kerning and bleeds, how to present and defend my work, not to get too attached to my first idea and when to just take a step back from the computer."
Since graduating, Anna has embraced the flexibility of freelance work, which has allowed her to explore projects in restaurant and event branding, book design, type design and marketing. Beyond her freelance work, Anna has gained valuable experience as an in-house designer and marketing coordinator for Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, managing marketing efforts for two New York brokerages of more than 60 agents.
One of her career highlights has been returning to her roots, creating the visual identity for both Belmont's Homecoming and its inaugural Reunion Weekend.
"It meant so much to be trusted with these projects, and seeing them come to fruition on a campus I know and love made it even better," Anna said.
Anna's Belmont journey wasn't limited to the classroom. She was actively involved in extracurricular activities including Towering Traditions, Greek life and RUF. These experiences fostered personal growth and helped her build lasting relationships.
"I found strong, loyal community in each one of these groups which carried over into classes, roommates and deeper friendships," she said. “TT especially helped me become more confident in myself. It pushed me in uncomfortable ways but with constant encouragement along the way — leading to such healthy personal and relational growth. I’m so grateful for every single person I met through these organizations.”
To current and prospective Belmont students, Anna offered this advice: "Go for it! Try that club, group or event you've been thinking about going to. The worst thing that could happen is that you don't like it and you've wasted maybe an hour. But you never know when you might meet a new friend who you end up connecting with so naturally. All you can do is try."
For Anna, Belmont represents more than just an education. "Belmont means growth, it means community, and it means encouraging one another along to become our full selves," she reflected.
Anna's story demonstrates how the University's blend of academic rigor, creative exploration and emphasis on community involvement sets students up for success in their chosen fields.
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Design Communications at Belmont