Designing your destiny: Brunnah's journey at VCC
When Brunnah started the graphic design program at VCC as an international student in 2024, she had a vision for what her future would look like, but didn't have a name for it.
All she knew is that she wanted to bring her imagination to life and create something real, tangible, and visible.
That’s what made the program at VCC a natural fit for her. Watching videos of past alumni opened her eyes to what was possible – projects that moved beyond theory and into hands-on, creative work.
“I just knew I liked making things and putting separate pieces together,” she says. “I didn’t fully understand where this would take me.”
Drawn by the allure of Vancouver’s cultural diversity, the city was a place where she could explore and express who she was, creatively and personally.
But the early days were not always easy.
“The first few months were frustrating,” she admits. “It felt like everyone else already knew what they were doing. The design software was completely new to me at the time and it was a steep learning curve. But learning in such a fast-paced environment was the best way for me to grow."
Examples of some of Brunnah's design work
That persistence paid off, with the help of a little funding.
Early on, Brunnah received an entrance award that made an impact in her day-to-day life. It allowed her to buy a laptop powerful enough to handle her design work– something she didn't previously have access to.
"I'm so grateful for the support," she says. "I remember the long hours, coming into school at 8 a.m. and staying until 8 p.m. just to use the school Macs because I didn't have one at home. The award gave me the freedom and flexibility to work on assignments on my own time outside of classes and part-time work."
Like many international students, Brunnah balanced school with a part-time job at a restaurant, which allowed her to earn tips to ease financial pressure and spend more time on her studies when it mattered most.
To her, building connections with others in a new country is something she encourages other international students to do, to find their community. In classes, Brunnah naturally gravitated towards taking the initiative in group projects and leading others in the creative process.
Those contributions didn't go unnoticed. Brunnah was also honoured with a leadership award, highlighting her skills as a role model within the student community. With those support systems in place, she was able to fully invest in her learning, refining her skills and building confidence with every project.
Today, Brunnah has a portfolio of clean, professional work she’s proud to share. Each piece is a reminder of her growth and how far she’s come.
“Even if you don’t have the skills right now, your attitude is what sets you apart,” she says. “If you are eager to learn and grow, things are going to work out.”
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