Lauren Brener ’21 “Pours” Out Her Passion with New Wine Label Design

UCF Alumni is excited to unveil Sword & Cellar, the exclusive wine collection crafted for Knight Nation, launching this January. Available for purchase online with nationwide delivery, these wines promise to be a must-have for collectors and wine lovers alike.

While the contents of each bottle are sure to captivate our Knight vinophiles, it’s the artistry on the outside that will truly make Sword & Cellar unforgettable. Designed by UCF alumna Lauren Brener ’21, the striking labels showcase her exceptional talent and creative vision.

Even better, 100% of the proceeds from every bottle sold will go directly to support UCF’s greatest areas of need, providing critical funding to the UCF community.

Brener, who graduated from UCF with a BFA in Emerging Media – Graphic Design and a minor in mass communication, is currently working for UCF in the College of Community Innovation and Education as a graphic designer and branding specialist, and for Florida LEADS Project as a marketing and design coordinator.

In her latter role, Brener designs materials for focus group recruitment and for the promotion of improved suicide prevention practices and outcomes. In her former role, she works with research team leaders on nationally endowed projects spanning 20+ states.

“I’ve been a Floridian pretty much my whole life,” Brener says. “I have always been interested in art and design, and research and science – both halves of my brain.”

Her interest in art and science is evidenced by her current work; she discovered that the sociology and psychology of branding and design appealed to her. She liked how a particular color of a soda can, or specific typography can inspire recognition and loyalty.

While a student at UCF, Brener was tapped to be an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Department of Psychology. She became interested in supporting the work of the Violence Against Women Faculty Research Cluster, led by Bethany Backes, associate professor of social work.

Brener’s focus for the initiative is researching difficult cases, working with universities throughout the country.

“I have been fortunate to be given so many great opportunities,” Brener says. “I was asked to design collateral for the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which was presented at the United Nations during COVID.”

Brener also works with Kim Gryglewicz, associate professor of social work, and co-director of the Center for Behavioral Health Research and Training.

She sees her role as an important way to amplify the knowledge provided by the researchers.

“I am very interested in informational design and data visualization,” Brener says. “You know, graphics that kind of bridge creative design with the science and research of these important issues.”

She is also captivated by designing interesting graphics, which is what drew her to submitting a design for Sword & Cellar’s inaugural wine labels.

Earlier this year, Brener answered a call for artists from UCF Alumni as they debuted Sword and Cellar.

“I was really interested in the project because I like keeping well-rounded with my designs, so it’s not all research-based,” Brener says. “When I saw the announcement, I thought that it was a great project.”

Brener says she began her design process by considering the special occasions at which wine would be a part of the celebration. Perhaps, she thought, the bottles would be uncorked by President Cartwright as he greeted guests at a special event. Or students or alumni having a quiet night in, or watching a football game?

“I thought, how can I design a label that really represents UCF’s modern brand, which I was familiar with from working in career services. I landed on a concept that combined elegance, along with a sort of medieval knight-aesthetic.”

Her submission to the contest was not her first foray into competition. Brener previously placed in a call for art hosted by Pfizer .

After she decided on her label design, Brener created it in Adobe Illustrator, incorporating a sword, Pegasus, and grape vines into the image for the red wine label, utilizing official UCF hex colors along the way.

The label for the white wine label pairs well with the red but has a lighter background and some motion from a wine glass “pouring” into an ampersand.

“I wanted to keep it modern, keep it elegant, while showing the boldness that is the school as well as the flavor of the wine,” Brener says.  

Brener’s wine labels received 348 votes from the UCF Alumni who responded to the contest. She is grateful for the “outpouring” of support from her fellow alums.

Brener would also like anyone who is considering a career as a graphic designer that there are so many different areas to consider.

“It’s not just about design,” she says. “It’s not even just about art or creativity. It’s about raising awareness of certain issues and different areas of your passion.”

Brener says she is passionate about inspiring others to realize their own dreams, even as she advances in her own career.

 “I am so proud to be part of Sword & Cellar,” Brener says. “And, of course, knowing that my work is a part of something that will also help provide support for UCF makes me even prouder.”