Nancy GLAZER PEARL

What was your very first job?

A swimming teacher and lifeguard at the JCC in Worcester, MA when I was in high school

Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.

I am the Creative Director for the in house creative group at TJMaxx. We collaborate with our outside agencies to continue the brand campaign through many channels, including social platforms, video, print and in-store signage.

How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? What was there train of events that brought you to where you are today?

I started at Pratt as a painting major, and slowly realized I was the only person in class that did not have a trust fund. I had an informational interview with Milton Glaser, who suggested I take some graphic design classes.The train of events is a long and wild ride, including stints in Jerusalem and Santa Fe. I had some amazing mentors along the way, people that believed in me and pushed me to constantly strive to be better.

In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?

I am so inspired by the people that work for me. They are coming out of school now with such a strong skill set (animation, coding, moving imagery, photography,  writing etc...) and they see the world through a very visual lens. And my two teenage boys keep me on my toes - I have to communicate with them on SnapChat to tell them to check the email I sent two weeks ago. Things are evolving so fast.

If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry “success,” what would it be?

I worked on an annual report for an all girls Catholic middle school in Dorchester called Mother Caroline Academy. We did a beautiful black and white portrait shoot of the girls, all of who were from poor and immigrant families. The nuns that ran this school were such an inspiration - truly caring and selfless human beings working to benefit others.