Meet Laura Sharp—mom, macramé artist, and Sr. User Experience Designer on our Digital Experience and Design team. Her background includes serving in the Army, some culinary training, art, and many discipline areas of graphic design. Get to know Laura below!
Q: Why did you choose Brunner?
A: I started working with George [Kalantzis]’s team as a contract UX Designer and I quickly discovered Brunner was the place I wanted to work. I really care about helping others, doing the best work that I can, and finding new ways to grow. I see this same drive in the people I have interacted with thus far as well as the company as a whole.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Atlanta, Georgia (Yep, true Georgia Peach).
Q: Tell us a fun fact from high school.
A: To say I kept myself busy and had an eclectic identity would be an understatement. I was an assistant manager at a Hot Topic while also working part-time with a local print shop and occasionally an event facility, in any free time I mostly hung out with the “nerdy” guys playing MTG/Civ/Nintendo, occasionally competed in ballroom dancing and art competitions, always had a sketchbook in hand, was in all the AP Math and Science classes, and mostly could be found skipping
those and any other class to work in the digital communications lab.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: Georgia State University.
Q: Tell us a fun fact from college.
A: I went to college after starting my career as a designer and served in the army reserves for the majority of it.
Q: Any fun projects happening at home?
A: We just started renting our current home last summer, so not wanting to do too much on the house. But we did fix up the basement as a play area for our 3 kids this past Christmas and this past weekend built a trampoline for them in the back yard. Hopefully, there will be more house
projects, gardening, and maybe even chickens next year when we move to our own place.
Q: What do you do on the weekends?
A: When I am not being harassed by 3 children with endless questions or requests for food, I can be found bike riding, hiking, cooking elaborate meals, working on
my art pieces, on a disc golf course, or playing one of many different games. I can currently be found playing in a Star Wars tabletop RPG campaign (currently in 3 different ones), MTG (Magic the Gathering), Minecraft, or Civi 6.
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
A: Strategic. Electric. Enigma.
Q: What is your hidden talent?
A: I am really good at Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Q: What would you do with a million dollars?
A: Buy the house I have been secretly looking at, maybe a small vacation, and invest the rest, boring I know.
Q: If you could eat anything without getting full, what would your ultimate buffet be?
A: This could be a very expensive buffet, who’s paying and is wine/drinks included?
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: This is a difficult one as there are a lot of things I love to do. I would say taking action, while also being open and honest with myself and others. I am always looking for ways to bring positive changes to my life and those around me.
Q: How do you like your coffee?
A: 2 Pump vanilla latte – hot or iced (But really, I am kind of a coffee snob and don’t really like most coffee shops because they over roast and/or over extract the coffee)
Q: Any other fun facts about you?
A: For a few years now I have used Macrame as my major art form. Lately, in my extremely limited time, I have been exploring combing pour art on canvas with macrame and embroidery. It still needs some perfecting, but I am working on a few pieces to hopefully do a small gallery show next year some time.