Brittani Wynn takes graphic design skills to River Radio

Brittani Wynn trained in Rend Lake College's graphic design program before joining the team at River Radio. (Nathan Wheeler / RLC Public Information)

 INA, Ill. - Only six years have passed since former Pinckneyville native Brittani Wynn traversed the halls of Rend Lake College, but since then, she has gone miles.

The graphic design major at RLC graduated in 2007 with an Associate of Science degree before moving on to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in professional media and media management at Southern Illinois University.

Wynn said that it was her experiences in RLC’s graphic design program that helped start a successful career that has begun with designing material for a local ESPN network and the country band Florida Georgia Line.

“We had small class sizes at RLC, so we got to be a small family together for our two years. Two classmates of mine actually became my roommates later. I feel like that helped me a lot,” said Wynn. “We all had to have the same credits to graduate, so we were in all of the same classes together. We learned off each other’s styles and provided helpful criticism. We learned one another’s strengths and weaknesses, and we were able to focus in on those a lot better.”

Wynn added it was the college’s proximity to her home and low costs that initially drew her in.

“It was the local college, and I knew I wanted to start small and go on to a university. It was a lot cheaper and, at the time, a lot easier, because I didn’t want to move out immediately. I wanted to stay close to my family and get a good education at the same time,” she said.

Wynn says "I Am A Warrior" on RLC YouTube

 Even after leaving RLC, Wynn said her instructor, Jennifer Taratino Linsin, continued to help in her career as an advocate and driving force.

“First of all, my teacher was extremely inspirational in getting me on the right track. She was always pushing us to explore our interests and believing in us. She has been immensely helpful in my career and she’s been my inspiration,” said Wynn.

In addition to her graphic design program, Wynn was also on RLC’s Homecoming Court and was a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Now living in Carterville and working for River Radio, Wynn said her education at RLC set the stage for her to learn even more on the job.

“Right now, I’m learning a lot. I’m freelance designing for a couple places and getting my foot in the door,” she said. “I’m working between 50 and 55 hours a week at the two jobs.”

In the recent past, Wynn has completed some unique projects, from designing a banner for a show called “Riding the Pine” for local ESPN station WXLT at the Southern Illinois Miner’s Rent One Park to creating a certificate for a sound check party at HerrinFesta with the band members of Florida Georgia Line. She said the certificates were auctioned off last year, and were a part of an effort to raise more than $258,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

“I’m really a jack of all trades. I’ve done commercials and graphic work here at River Radio. I’ve also made home décor that is being sold in Hobby Lobby and Kirkland’s around the nation,” said Wynn. “I co-hosted the sound check party for our Z100 station where I got to go and meet, and hang out, with Florida Georgia Line.”

 "At Rend Lake, something that I really liked about it was that it was close to home. I was able to see my family and friends, and still get a quality education. Being close to my family is something that is really important to me." - Brittani Wynn, RLC Graphic Design

This year, Wynn again had the opportunity to design the Z100 St. Jude Radiothon t-shirts, and, with the help of the community, raised over $270,000, surpassing the 2013 total. In the future, the former Warrior hopes to expand her knowledge of graphic design with the continued support of her family.

“I just want to see where my design takes me,” she said. “I am also grateful and lucky to have had the support of my family, especially from my brothers, my dad and my mom, Daniell Weinhoffer, who has always encouraged me to be the best person I can be.”

For more information about Rend Lake College, visit www.rlc.edu.