Autumn Sternberg wins 2nd and 3rd place at LAND Conference

HFC student Autumn Sternberg both second and third place in the Graphic Design category at the 2026 LAND Conference earlier this year.

Sternberg, a lifelong Downriver resident, won 2nd Place for Poster Design and 3rd Place for Magazine Design. She earned cash awards, which she will apply toward her tuition.

"With the two awards, I got the same amount as the first-place winner, which is pretty cool," said Sternberg. "I didn’t know that Vicki Shepherd, my graphic design instructor, entered my poster design in the LAND contest. I didn’t know she entered more than one piece of artwork for each student. When I got the email, I didn’t realize I won two prizes in the same category. My parents were really proud of me."

So was HFC drawing instructor Ashley Berry.

"I'm impressed by Autumn’s awards this year, but from personal experience working with her, I can't say I'm surprised," said Berry. "She possesses qualities she needs to be successful in the creative field, and I’m proud to see that being recognized because she has earned it. I hope this is just the beginning of a prosperous career and artistic journey, and I can't wait to see what's next on the horizon for her."

First in her family to attend college

Born in Southgate, Sternberg is the eldest of two and lives in Romulus. She and her brother are first-generation college students and the first in their family to attend college.

Sternberg graduated from Anderson High School in Southgate. She enrolled in the school's 2-year graphic design program and excelled in it.

"I enjoyed it very much," she said. "Taking graphic design classes in high school definitely inspired me to take it up in college."

Sternberg initially majored in illustration at HFC, then changed her major to graphic design. She will earn her associate degree in graphic design and graduate in late 2026. She is considering trasferring to Eastern Michigan University or the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Besides being involved in LAND, Sternberg is a member of the Art Association at the College. During the 2023-24 academic year, she was the vice president of the HFC Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) Club.

"Autumn was a fantastic addition to the classroom, and I always enjoyed when she'd stop by to share current work after she was no longer my student," said Berry. "I really got to see her confidence and growth in my own class, and her natural ability to transfer the skills she was learning across multiple disciplines."

Beyond assignment requirements to find the best solution

Sternberg would like to work as a graphic designer, possibly working for herself.

"I want to keep creating art," she said. "I would prefer to stay in Michigan, but if an opportunity comes up from out-of-state, it would an interesting, fun experience to have. I have pretty high hopes for when I graduate."

Shepherd is proud of Sternberg’s accomplishments.

"Autumn is a rewarding student to teach," said Shepherd. "She is curious and creative, routinely going beyond assignment parameters to find her best solution. Going the extra distance is often a marker for success. Design is about process and experimentation. She is also an artist who works in print media, and this creates connections. The ability to bring both art and design together can be very rewarding. I am looking forward to Autumn’s graduating exhibition next year."

Added Berry: "Autumn is an example of what can be achieved when a student fully commits to their art practice and growth. Autumn always put in the time and effort to regularly push themselves outside of their comfort zone. She took every opportunity with me to improve, whether that was revising drawings until something clicked, providing thoughtful feedback during critiques with their peers, or diligently working through ideas to get the best version of a piece in their sketchbook."