How Ted Akonor Went From Gamer to Graphic Design Grad

Ted Akonor '25 had a plan when he arrived on the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) campus. He was going to make video games.

“At first, I started as a game major, and I thought it was going to be for me because I am a big gamer,” he said. “And it wasn’t really for me. I didn't really understand coding that well.”

So Akonor rethought his plan. Over the summer, he said he started teaching himself graphic design by watching videos, practicing on his own and learning the tools.

Soon, he had a new direction for his degree program. “I was like, maybe this is the degree for me,” he said. “Maybe it's actually better for me to do a graphic design (degree) than be a full-time gamer and try to make a game.”

That’s what set Akonor on his path to earn his bachelor’s in graphic design and media arts.

Building Confidence In and Out of The Classroom

According to Akonor, there was one project during his program that he found especially beneficial. “(It’s) for all the design students who start learning how to do graphic design studio, to learn every design principle of understanding what pieces are important in any design,” he said.

That project was led by Tracy Dow, chair of the communications and media arts department on campus and an associate professor of graphic design, who has been instructing at SNHU for nearly 20 years. “She really helped me feel confident (in) doing this type (of work), to really help students learn how to get that design out there, and really learn that you can create anything,” he said.

During his program, he even put those skills to work outside the classroom, creating a poster for a community cleanup event in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. “I'm really proud that I made a poster for everyone to see,” he said.

Akonor's growth went beyond design skills. He said he’d never written a resume before enrolling, but SNHU’s career services team and a professional communications class changed that. And, as a self-proclaimed shy student who wasn't sure he'd make any friends along the way, Akonor noted that not only did he make friends, but now people call him a social butterfly. “I think that’s a great thing, that I can learn how to communicate and talk to people,” he said.

Looking back, Akonor said all the effort he put into earning his degree was worthwhile. “It's 100% worth it,” he said. “I think the degree will show that I did such hard work.”

Rebecca Cahill '26 is a content marketing assistant and writer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). She completed her bachelor’s in creative writing and English at SNHU and is now pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Based in Ohio, she has also written for FreshWater Cleveland and The Land and serves on the board of Literary Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you'll most likely find her nose in a book, dogs at her side, surrounded by way too many houseplants. Connect with her on LinkedIn.