“I have always loved art—painting, drawing, hand-lettering,” said Bradlee Roberts (’17). “I was in my early teens when I realized I wanted to be a graphic designer. At 15 years of age, I began teaching myself the Adobe Suite, and the rest is history.”
In 2013, Bradlee decided to continue learning design at Pensacola Christian College. After four years of studying and refining her skills, she walked across the Crowne Centre stage to receive her Bachelor of Science Degree in Visual Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how much PCC has prepared me for work as a designer,” Bradlee said. “I had to laugh because there were certain things I learned or had to do for art class that I didn’t think I would actually use. I realize now that my teachers were preparing me in ways I didn’t expect.”
Now, she is learning new things and growing in her skills as the primary graphic designer and publishing production director for the National Bible Bee.
“The National Bible Bee is a ministry whose focus is on equipping children to know God’s Word and make Him known,” said Bradlee. “This year, we had 6,200 children (ages 5–18) participate in the Summer Study from all 50 states and 7 countries. I really enjoy seeing the responses from the families involved in the National Bible Bee and our Summer Study.”
To Bradlee, her work at the National Bible Bee is rewarding, and the ministry’s goal is something she can really get behind.
“National Bible Bee is so much more than the competition. It’s about the Scripture they’re absorbing, the confidence in proclaiming God’s Word, and the community with other believers involved in this ministry,” she said.
With her talents in graphic design, Bradlee Roberts is able to serve in her role by creating a variety of designs for social media, T-shirts, their phone app, and Bible study curriculum. Each project she receives helps her to strengthen her design skills in different areas, but she has also found the opportunity to add a new skill to her résumé that wasn’t anticipated—leadership.
“Aside from design, my biggest role is directing the publishing team,” said Bradlee. “I certainly didn’t expect to be responsible for managing a team within my first year out of college, but as project manager and designer, I’ve had the opportunity to not only apply my skills as an artist, but also grow as a leader and communicator. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
With so many opportunities on her road ahead, Bradlee doesn’t know exactly what will come next on her journey in graphic design, but she has found leadership so appealing that she hopes to continue in such a position.
“I’m interested in specializing in user-experience design,” she said. “As an artist with an analytical mind, I am intrigued by creating something that is aesthetically appealing and engages the human mind on an interactive level. But wherever God leads me in the future, I would love the opportunity to continue to hold a leadership position,” she said. “While this role was not something I had planned on this early in my career, I have thrived in the challenge.”
As Bradlee Roberts embraces her work as a designer at the National Bible Bee, she hopes to keep learning.
“I certainly don’t have everything figured out. As a designer, there’s so much more I can learn and so many resources out there to help me do so,” she said. “I hope I never get to a point in my life where I feel I have ‘arrived’ as an artist, but instead seek out opportunities to keep growing, learning, and improving.”
Check out PCC’s Visual Arts Department for the graphic design major.
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.