Bree Vasquez-Hansen

Personal Pronouns

She/Her

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

As a high school Media Arts teacher, I help students learn how to create, analyze, and understand digital media such as photography, film, graphic design, animation, and audio production. I teach both the technical skills (like using cameras, editing software, or design tools) and the creative process (storytelling, composition, visual communication).
I also guide students in critiquing media, exploring how media influences culture and society, and often oversee hands-on projects like short films, digital portfolios, or school broadcasts. In short, I combine art, technology, and communication to help students express ideas through modern media.

How did you get your job?

I graduated from MCAD and worked for a marketing agency for a while, but wanted to make more of an impact. I decided to go to the U of MN - Twin Cities to get my teaching license. I found my job posting on the Robbinsdale Careers website.

How long ago did you graduate from MCAD?

7–10 years

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD?

I'm from Apple Valley, MN. I originally heard about MCAD during a gap year, while I was taking Art classes at Normandale Community College.

What was your major and how did you choose it?

My major was Graphic Design and I minored in Art History. I chose to major in Graphic Design because I was drawn to both creativity and communication — I enjoy visual art but also want to solve real-world problems through design. While I was at Normandale, I discovered that I loved the design software, typography, and layout work, just to name a few. I love the idea of a dynamic, ever-evolving field that blends art, technology, and psychology.

Who was your favorite faculty member and why?

My favorite teacher was my graphic design professor, Jan Jancourt. He had this rare mix of creativity, honesty, and calm confidence that made you want to rise to his level. He didn’t just teach us how to use design programs or follow trends — he taught us how to think like designers. Jan had a way of making you slow down and really look at what you were creating, to understand why something worked (or didn’t). His feedback was always thoughtful, never sugar-coated, but somehow still encouraging.
What made Jan stand out was how much he cared about his students’ growth — not just as artists, but as people. He noticed details others might overlook, and he pushed me to trust my instincts and take creative risks. I left his class with a deeper appreciation for design, but also for the process of learning itself. Even now, I still hear his voice in my head reminding me that good design tells the truth — and that’s something that’s stuck with me far beyond the classroom.

Describe your internship(s).

My internship was at Fulton Brewery, in NE Minneapolis.
During my graphic design internship at Fulton Brewery, I worked closely with the marketing team and lead to create visual assets for both digital and print use, including social media graphics, taproom posters, and event promotions. I helped maintain brand consistency across all campaigns, paying attention to typography, layout, and color usage.
The role also involved collaborating with different departments — from events to sales — to translate marketing goals into engaging designs for new beer releases, seasonal events, and merchandise drops. I gained hands-on experience using Adobe Creative Suite and learned about print production and packaging design. The internship gave me valuable insight into how a craft brewery builds its brand and connects with its community through creative, authentic visual storytelling.

Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way?

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design prepared me for life after graduation by teaching me how to think critically, work creatively under pressure, and approach every project with intention. MCAD’s environment pushed me to explore my ideas deeply and communicate them clearly — not just visually, but conceptually. The professors encouraged independence and self-discipline, while also emphasizing collaboration and constructive feedback, which helped me grow both as a designer and as a professional.
Through real-world projects, internships, and critiques, I learned how to balance creativity with strategy — skills that have carried over into every part of my work and life. Most importantly, MCAD gave me the confidence to trust my creative instincts and the tools to turn those ideas into something tangible and meaningful.

Your biggest takeaway from MCAD?

My biggest takeaway from my time at MCAD was learning to truly trust my creative voice. Being surrounded by so many talented and driven artists could be intimidating at first, but it pushed me to find what made my perspective unique. MCAD taught me that good design isn’t just about making something look nice — it’s about communicating an idea with clarity and intention. Through countless critiques, late nights in the studio, and projects that didn’t always go as planned, I learned resilience, adaptability, and the value of honest feedback. Most of all, I left MCAD with a deeper understanding of who I am as a designer and the confidence to keep evolving long after graduation.

What was your experience living in the Twin Cities? Any hidden treasures?

I loved going to Little Tijuana for dinner, Ice House for shows, and the Boiler Room for studying.