Meet Stella Braune | Advertising and Branding Student and She Is The Music Ambassador

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stella Braune and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stella, what principle do you value most?
What matters most to me is authenticity. I’ve always believed in staying true to who I am, both in my work and in life. I’ve never been one to conform to expectations just for the sake of it; I value honesty, whether it’s in how I communicate, collaborate, or approach creative challenges. I think when you’re authentic, you naturally build stronger, more meaningful connections, whether that be with colleagues, clients, or friends. It’s about being real, owning your story, and finding your own voice.
In my work, that authenticity translates to creating experiences and visuals that are intentional, personal, and emotionally resonant. But beyond that, it’s how I approach life. I’m always striving to be genuine, whether that means embracing vulnerability, learning from failure, or staying committed to my passions. I believe it’s through authenticity that you can truly impact others and create work that stands out.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always believed that the best work comes from a deep connection to who you are and where you come from. For me, that’s a mix of music, design, and a fierce belief in what I do, which are values I’ve carried with me since I was a kid.
Growing up, my dad introduced me to the power of music at a young age. Music wasn’t just something we listened to; it was something we felt. Whether we were driving around, his playlists setting the tone for everything, or discussing the latest concert we’d been to, music was always an anchor for me. And while we don’t always share the same music taste, it has taught me how something intangible could stir emotion, spark creativity, and bring people together.
At the same time, my mom instilled in me the importance of staying driven and believing in what I do. She always taught me that success is rooted in persistence and trust in yourself. It’s because of her guidance that I’ve never been afraid to pursue what I’m passionate about, even when I didn’t have it all figured out.
I grew up knowing I wanted to be at SCAD. Even back in middle school, SCAD felt like the place I belonged, even if I didn’t quite know what I would major in. I just knew that was where I needed to be. I spent my early years there, diving into foundation courses, which were a great start. But it wasn’t until I started creating mood boards and exploring design that I began to feel the pull of advertising and branding. That’s when I knew I had to take the plunge and declare my major. It was in those moments of piecing together ideas and discovering visuals that spoke to me.
What sets me apart, though, is my ability to see the bigger picture while fine-tuning the smallest details. I’ve always known that true creativity isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about creating something meaningful and something that resonates with people. Whether I’m working on a campaign tagline or crafting a brand’s voice, I’m always thinking about the larger story. How do these pieces fit together? How do they make someone feel? And what does it mean for the brand and its audience? This approach allows me to create work that goes beyond aesthetics and becomes an experience.
But it hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to overcome the challenge of self-doubt. There were moments in my journey where I wasn’t sure I was on the right path or if I was even capable of pulling off my ideas. But those moments pushed me to get comfortable with discomfort, to lean into uncertainty, and to understand that failure isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a stepping stone toward growth. I’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t make you less capable; it makes you collaborative. And most importantly, I’ve learned that self-doubt will always be there, but it becomes easier to ignore when you believe in what you’re building.
Music has always been my constant. It’s what kept me going through late nights of design work, what inspired me when I felt stuck, and what fueled my passion for bringing stories to life. Every concert, every album drop, every lyric felt like a reminder of why I do what I do. To be part of an artist’s world and to bring their vision to life in a way that resonates with others is what I strive for. It’s not just about being creative; it’s about creating something people can connect with on a deeper level.
Through my work in advertising classes and internships in the music industry, I’ve had the opportunity to craft immersive experiences, and those experiences have solidified my path. There’s nothing quite like working on a campaign or a project that brings music and visuals together to make people feel something.
One of the most valuable experiences that shaped my perspective on collaboration came through my work with SCADpro. Working on real-world projects alongside people from different disciplines and backgrounds, I saw firsthand the power of collaboration. The diversity of thought, skills, and approaches was truly transformative. I realized that the best ideas don’t come from working in isolation. They come from sharing, brainstorming, and pushing each other to think differently. It’s something I carry with me in everything I do, knowing that working with people who bring different skills and perspectives to the table will always result in better, more innovative work.
Right now, I’m working towards becoming an art director for various musicians, someone who can bring their music to life visually, from album promotions to merch designs, pop-up experiences, and tour posters. Every way I can get involved, I want to be there. As an ambassador for She Is The Music, I’m deeply passionate about creating spaces for women in the music industry, and I want to continue advocating for those who might not always have a seat at the table. Whether it’s working with artists to build their visual identities or designing experiences that bring their music to life, I’m excited to help shape the world of music through the lens of design. This is the work I’m meant to do, and I’m ready to keep pushing forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from Roswell, so when friends come to visit, I love starting in the area that feels like home. We’d kick off the week in Alpharetta with a stop at Valor Coffee. The disco balls hanging from the ceiling catch the light just right, and the music that somehow always feels pulled from my own playlist. The energy is warm and laid-back, the staff are the kind of people who genuinely want to chat, and everything about it makes you want to stay awhile. I always go for a chai latte.

Then we’d head right next door to Ceviche for shrimp tacos. I go there so much that the staff knows my order before I even have to say anything. The tacos are perfect, and the patio is the best spot to people-watch as the afternoon rolls by.

After we’re sufficiently caffeinated and taco-fueled, we’d head into the city. First stop: Spiller Park Coffee at Ponce City Market. I’d obviously have to get another chai latte. We’d wander around Ponce a bit, maybe walk through some shops, and then grab a slice at Pizza Jeans upstairs.

We’d carve out a day to visit the High Museum. I love being surrounded by art, and it’s one of the few places where you can actually slow down and just take things in. After the High, we’d head to SCAD FASH. It’s smaller, but I love how focused and fresh the exhibits always feel, especially if you’re into fashion and design.

Since live music is a non-negotiable for me, we’d wrap up the week at Center Stage. It’s the kind of venue that strikes the perfect balance — big enough to have that electric energy, but still intimate enough where you feel like you’re part of the experience. No matter who’s playing, the energy there always makes it a night to remember.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to She Is The Music and She Is U. She Is The Music is a nonprofit working to increase the number of women in all areas of the music industry, including songwriting, production, engineering, and executive roles. It’s not just about representation; it’s about building real opportunities and connections for women to thrive.

Being part of that community has been incredibly motivating. It’s easy to feel like you’re alone when you’re trying to carve out your own path, especially in a space that’s still so male-dominated. But She Is The Music reminded me that there’s a whole network of women who are not only making space, but changing the culture.

That inspired me to bring that same energy to my campus through She Is U, a student-led extension of the mission focused on women in the music industry. It’s given me an incredible community of like-minded creatives and has pushed me to think bigger, create with purpose, and uplift others along the way. The program coordinators and fellow ambassadors have been especially inspiring. Their leadership, creativity, and genuine commitment to making space for others have shaped a truly welcoming and empowering environment and I’m so proud to be part of a community that is changing the narrative for women in music.

Website: https://sbraun21.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellabraune/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-braune-457456232/

Image Credits
Alexa Carmona