ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, GRAPHIC DESIGN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, EDMOND OK

McKenna Sanderson is an Associate Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma’s School of Design, where she also serves as Assistant Director, as well as the Division Head for the Graphic Design Program. Located in the vibrant Oklahoma City metro area, UCO Design is home to a dynamic community of student designers whose work has earned numerous local and national design awards. McKenna’s own creative work spans multiple disciplines, with internationally showcased photography, past presentations at SECAC, and recognition for her design contributions both locally and nationally. She also founded the national student design competition, SALUTE, with the help of her colleagues, Adrienne Wright and Jesse Warne. McKenna earned her MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2019. Beyond her role as an educator, McKenna co-owns WTRMLN Creative, a design studio she runs with her husband, Wylee Sanderson. WTRMLN specializes in branding for small businesses, nonprofits, events, and educational organizations. Outside of her design work, McKenna is a papercut artist and muralist. A former President of AIGA Oklahoma, she is now the founding Co-President of All Those Creative OKC, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering community and connection among creative professionals in the area through monthly events. McKenna’s passion lies in teaching and mentoring the next generation of graphic designers while actively contributing to the creative community around her. When she’s not designing or teaching, she enjoys doing yoga, spending time at concerts and music festivals, and hanging with her three dogs — Uno, Rolo, and Samafuss.   DO YOU THINK GRAPHIC DESIGNERS HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THEIR TALENTS TO MAKE A SOCIAL IMPACT? Everyone has a responsibility to use their talents for positive social impact; as designers, we have a unique power to inspire change and challenge perspectives. At UCO, I run a student-led studio where students gain real-world experience by working with clients on impactful projects. We’ve had the privilege of supporting local, national, and even international nonprofits with pro bono design work. This hands-on approach provides creative fulfillment while encouraging students to use their talents for good. I hope these experiences inspire them to continue making a positive impact throughout their careers. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING A CAREER IN GRAPHIC DESIGN? Stay open-minded, and never get too comfortable with your work. Take risks, experiment, and embrace failure as part of the process. Celebrate your successes, but always believe in yourself and the value of what you create — self-doubt is just a distraction. Give yourself grace, put in the effort, and don’t forget to take breaks. Your well-being outside of work is just as important. Balance is key.