Success story: Jessica Bernard

Jessica tells us her story

My name is Jessica Bernard, and I’m a Graphic Designer at Keyloop, working across brand development, visual storytelling, and creating identities for global industry events for the automotive technology sector. I studied Graphic Design & Illustration at South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) and University Centre South Essex (UCSE) at the Luker Road Campus in Southend-on-Sea, completing my studies from 2017 to 2022.

I chose to study at SECG, and later UCSE, because it felt like the right environment to grow, not just as a designer, but as a person. The hands-on, creative approach to learning and the genuine support from tutors gave me confidence, direction, and the space to explore what I wanted my future to look like.  

I’d always been drawn to creativity. At school, I naturally gravitated toward subjects like art, design, and anything that allowed me to communicate ideas visually. Coming to college was the next step, a place where I could turn that early passion into real skills and a potential career path. I achieved DDM at college (2019) and graduated from university with a 2:1 (2022). 

Since completing my degree, I’ve built my career as a graphic designer and found myself working in a sector I never expected, automotive technology. I now work at Keyloop, where I focus on brand development, visual storytelling, and creating identities for global events, internal culture campaigns, and digital platforms such as the Drivetime Podcast. In the past two years, I’ve been able to play a role in modernising how the automotive sector communicates by making complex technology feel more human, inclusive, and accessible. My work has helped strengthen engagement across the business and the wider industry, and I’ve grown into a more strategic, cross-functional role as a result. 

My time at SECG and UCSE played a huge role in preparing me for the workplace. The supportive environment, meaningful feedback from tutors, and practical project-based learning taught me how to take briefs, interpret them creatively, manage deadlines, and present professionally, skills I use every single day. The college also helped me build confidence, improve my communication skills, and trust my creative instincts. These abilities have shaped how I tackle both work and personal projects, from illustration to photography, reminding me that creativity is part of who I am. 

The equipment I used were a great introduction to the professional tools and workflows used in the industry. The college provided access to up-to-date design software (such as Adobe Suite), reliable Macs, and creative facilities that allowed me to understand the fundamentals of working in a modern design environment, while also allowing us to experiment with the non-digital side of the industry, which I found incredibly insightful. 

My favourite memory from my time at UCSE is the sense of community in the creative department. I loved being surrounded by people who were just as passionate as I was, sharing ideas, experimenting, exploring, and encouraging each other to try new things. It was the first place where I truly felt like a designer, and that feeling has stayed with me ever since. 

The best thing about studying higher education is the chance to discover your potential. It builds skills, confidence, and curiosity, while giving you the freedom to experiment, take risks, and learn in a supportive environment. For me, it also opened doors to new opportunities and connections that shaped my career. 

I would recommend SECG and UCSE as they offer a genuinely supportive and creative learning environment. The tutors are invested in your growth and encourage exploration, which gave me the confidence to take risks and find my own voice. The practical, project-based structure means you graduate ready for real-world work, not just exams. And the sense of community among students and staff makes it a place where you feel seen, challenged, and inspired. If you’re someone who wants to turn creativity into a career, it’s a place that will help you do it. 

My greatest achievement so far has been receiving Autocar’s Drivers of Change: New Talent award. It represents not just a milestone in my career, but the impact I’ve been able to make in a short space of time by bringing a creative perspective into the automotive industry. It’s also a reflection of the work I’m most proud of, redefining how design is used to create clarity, strengthen culture, and humanise complex technology. Being recognised on that level, especially as someone who entered the industry from a nontraditional route, is something I’ll always see as a defining moment in my journey. 

My ambition is to keep building momentum in my career, taking on new challenges, and seeing the impact I can make through design. I want to continue shaping how creativity drives engagement, clarity, and culture, while exploring the full potential of my work to influence both the industry and the people within it.