The Tribune

By Deidre M Bastian

Charlene Bullard is a name synonymous with Bahamian graphic design. Since her childhood years she has always had a strong interest and passion for the arts, which compels her to continue experimenting with painting, drawing and colour coding. She also loves working with her hands, and uses her spare time to draw and create concepts that challenge her. Scrolling through magazines, and travelling and exploring the internet, are another sources of inspiration that have refined her skills.

Although Charlene enjoys applied art, she is equally efficient in computers and basic publication software. These interests were all stepping stones to the graphic world. While her interest in art started in primary school and continued throughout high school, she still wanted to know more and enrolled in extra computer classes. This training strengthened her overall creativity, but Charlene admits she never imagined that her passion for computers would steer her to a career path in graphic design.

“Having a weakness or strength in the graphic design field truly depends on the designer,” she says. “It’s all about how far they are willing to go, and how much they want to learn. In this field only a designer gets to determine how great they really want to be. My creativity stems from a variety of different mediums such as music, culture and people. Sometimes, it just comes out of nowhere, but the process to create a conceptual design takes time and, in some cases, research”.

Charlene says she loves what she does as a designer, and believes that creativity brings with it a unique responsibility. “We make people dream, to imagine, encourage and invoke feelings of emotion. This is what we do,” she explains. “That’s why brands spend millions of dollars on products, or why organisations - whether they be political or non-political - understand the power of visual communications when it comes to advertising a product or an idea”.

Shortly after graduation, and determined to learn more, Charlene enrolled at AIU American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, Georgia, to further her training in visual communications and other graphic design programmes. Upon completing four years of studies in 2006, she was relieved to have successfully obtained a BFA degree in fine arts.

Upon her return to Grand Bahama in 2008, Charlene felt she was ready to share her knowledge with the business world. She found employment at a laminating company, and thereafter was blessed with many other opportunities. Her own company, Bullart Design, was started officially in 2014.

Asked what would she say to a young, aspiring graphic designer, Charlene replied: “I would encourage them to always look for ways to inspire themselves because that’s what makes a designer unique. Attend international conferences and, if you can’t, join digital conferences online. One of the key things in the design industry is to stay creative but, most importantly, stay current”. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally-trained graphic designer/marketing co-ordinator and life coach with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of The Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.