Alan Castillo Perez's Webpage

As a designer who is about to be out in the field, my internship has given me a wide range of skills that I can use when I graduate. I have learned how to use different tools more efficiently, manage projects, and develop a daily routine that reflects a real professional work environment. Much of this growth has come from working hard and observing how I can work with clients.

One of the most important skills I have developed is project and time management. I have learned how to organize my tasks and stay on track with deadlines. Deadlines are important when a client wants something quick and ready to be presented. Learning how to do a project from start to finish has helped me become more efficient and confident in my work. I don’t just want to be another average designer in the field but to be someone people can rely on for their own businesses and projects. In a fast moving world I probably won’t only be working on one assignment but multiple at a time and managing that is important for that clients would see my potential.

I have also improved my technical skills by learning new tools, shortcuts and becoming more comfortable using my feedback and ideas for a project. Along with that, I have developed stronger professional skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and adapting to client feedback in a quicker fashion. Seeing what clients ask for has helped me understand what is expected in the real world and what the end goal is for the finished product.

As I prepare to enter into the design field, I realize how important it is to continue building these skills. I want to be able to work independently, keep up with industry standards, and develop my own identity while staying competitive in the field.

Throughout my internship, my supervisor has become an important mentor in helping me grow as a designer. With years of experience working with clients, she designs projects with confidence and makes even hard tasks seem easy and manageable. Watching how she works has given me a better understanding of what it means to be a professional in the design industry and a glimpse at the person I would like to be.

One of the most valuable aspects of having her as my supervisor is she helps me when I’m stuck on a project. Whenever I am unsure about a design decision, she helps guide me by giving feedback on layout, colors, typography, and overall tone. Her advice helps me stay with the client’s vision while also improving the quality of my work. This has taught me how to think critically about design choices rather than just focusing on how something looks and if it looks good. Even if it looks good, the big question is, “does it work?”

She would also help me if I am unfamiliar with a tool in Adobe software. She takes the time to explain how it works and how to use it effectively. For example, Tabs on Indesign is important for menu design as its what spaces out prices and items. This hands on guidance has helped me become more confident when working on different types of projects.

Having a sort of mentor during this internship has been extremely valuable. It has allowed me to learn directly from someone with real world experience while also building my skills and confidence as a student designer.

During my internship, I have developed a better understanding of my own design process and work habits, especially in a remote environment. One of the most important things I focus on is carefully listening to instructions and documenting what needs to be done for each project. Since we meet on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, I make use of tools like live transcriptions and chat features. This helps me to go back and review what was said in case I miss something by my supervisor or the client which then I can make sure I fully understand the client’s commission before starting any design work.

This has helped me become more accurate and efficient in my work because instead of guessing or being stuck, I rely on my notes and not have to make my supervisor go over and repeat some stuff. Even though mistakes can happen, this ensures that the final design aligns with what the client wants. Being organized in this way has become an important part of my design process.

Another key aspect of my design approach is maintaining brand consistency. When working on projects that involve updating or redesigning existing materials, I make sure to look at previous designs and carry over important elements. This can include colors, typography, layout styles, and overall themes.

At the same time, I try to balance with the request and my own creativity. It is important to follow the client wants and or keep some designs, I also look for opportunities to improve the design and make it more visually effective. Of course I would back up an original design with respect of the client, but if it helps bring out the design more to consumers, then its worth it.

My design process during this internship is based on clear communication, careful planning, and attention to detail. Because, we are handling what the client wants doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want but to have a purpose and respect in what is being asked by the client. By maintaining brand identity, I am able to create designs that meet client expectations while continuing to grow as a designer.

Throughout this internship, I have learned many important business skills that are essential to working in a professional design field. As I’m still learning many more designs skills so far, I have found that many of the important skills that I have learned are more related to organization, communication, and time management.

One important skill that I have learned is the management and organization of files. In the past, I would often store all the versions of the design in one folder without paying much attention to the organization of the files. However, in the real-world setting, it is important to only store the relevant files that one is working with and to make sure that they are well organized to ensure that the correct version of the design can be easily accessed. This is important if one is working with client designs, as the incorrect file or the older version could potentially cause problems with updating the design.

Another part of file management involves packaging project files properly. When preparing the design files, it is important to include everything that could possibly be needed later, such as the fonts, images, and everything else that could be necessary. It will then become much easier to reopen the project in the future without having to go through the hassle of searching for the necessary files. This will help to avoid situations where one has to go through their computer to look for images or fonts that were originally used in the design.

I have also learned the importance of communication and ethics when dealing with clients. A designer should respect the client’s ideas and make sure that the client’s needs are understood. This means, effective communication and that everyone involved is on the same page.

Another important skill that I have learned to develop involves my ability to manage my time. My supervisor uses a project management tool known as Monday.com to monitor the tasks, the project’s status, and the deadline. This has helped me understand a professional designer’s ability to manage his/her deadline by checking the project’s status through the project management tool.

Overall, the business side of design has helped me realize how the designing world operates, and it’s not just about the designs. These skills, such as being organized, a good communicator, and having the ability to manage your time, are crucial for a designer to operate effectively and maintain a good relationship with clients.

During my internship as an assistant designer, I have several responsibilities that help support the design process and ensure that projects are completed correctly for clients. These responsibilities involve both design work and file management, which are important parts of working in a professional design environment.

One of my responsibilities is to handle the files related to the projects, and for that, we use Dropbox as the main system for storing and organizing the client work. I regularly check the folders to ensure that the files are updated and organized accordingly. This sometimes requires deleting the older versions of the files or replacing the draft versions of the designs with the latest versions of finished designs. For instance, in the case of designs that have been updated several times, I might need to replace the draft versions of the designs with the latest versions of the finished designs so that the correct versions of the designs are available for use or delivery to the clients.

One of the duties that I have is maintaining the project files using Dropbox, as this is the primary system that we use for organizing and maintaining client projects. This includes checking the files regularly to ensure that they are updated and organized correctly. This may, at times, require deleting old files, as well as updating the files to ensure that the latest versions are available. For instance, in a design project where the design may have undergone several changes, I may have to delete the old design and update it with the latest design, as long as it is a finished design, to ensure that the correct design is available for use or delivery to the client. These steps help ensure that the final design looks polished and professional before it is sent to the client.

I am also responsible for preparing designs that may be printed for physical use, such as menus, posters, and flyers. When working on print materials, I need to make sure the design is correctly prepared for printing. This includes checking the bleeds and crop marks, as these are important in ensuring that the design is correctly trimmed when it is printed.

These responsibilities have helped me realize the significance of organization, accuracy, and details in graphic designing. File management, high quality designs, and preparing print ready materials are all important tasks that are necessary in order to produce quality designs for clients.

One of the most enjoyable assignments I worked on during my internship was a project that involved creating twelve 8 inch by 8 inch graphic designs that would be placed inside square wooden frames. These framed designs were to be displayed on a yellow painted brick wall inside the client’s restaurant, creating a decorative wall made entirely of typography-based artwork.

The project started when the client sent a picture showing examples of the designs they wanted. So my role was to recreate these designs from scratch based on the reference picture. This meant that I had to study the reference picture and then design the frames but keep the typographic style and design are close to what the client wants.

The main challenge I encountered when carrying out this project involved the use of typographic styles. Each design had its own phrase, which had a unique style. Therefore, I had to find fonts that resemble the typographic style used in the reference picture. In some designs, I had to alter the typographic style by adjusting the spacing or size to ensure that the design is appealing.

Apart from typography, I also had to develop or source other design elements used in some of the squares. For instance, some of the designs had a small icon or image that complemented the text. The other elements had to fit in with the style of the artwork so that it all looked cohesive in the end.

After completing all the designs, I had to put together a mockup of how the artwork would look when it is displayed in a frame on a yellow brick wall. This involved all twelve frames. A mockup is an essential part of the designing process because it allows the client to see how the final product will look in its final setting before it is produced.

The assignment proved to be a fun and worthwhile experience as it enabled me to practice various crucial graphic design skills. I had to replicate designs from reference images, use typography, and choose the correct font styles. Moreover, it offered me an opportunity to consider the designs in terms of their physical spaces, as the artwork would have been part of a display in the restaurant.

The day starts out early in the morning, when I log onto Zoom to meet with my supervisor and discuss the work that needs to be completed.

At the beginning of the meeting, we usually review the projects we are currently working on. During this discussion, we go over what changes need to be made and how we can improve the design so it better fits the client’s needs.

After we discuss the assignments, I begin working on the design tasks. While I am working, my supervisor also works on her own projects, but she often pauses to communicate with clients. Sometimes she calls clients directly, and other times they call her to provide feedback or ask questions about a project.

During the entire period of time, my supervisor checks on the progress of my work and the designs that I am working on. If there is a need for improvement in the designs, then improvements are made accordingly. This way, the work is ensured to meet the expectations of both the client and the company.

Finally, after completing the designs, the designs are checked again. At this stage, the most crucial details are checked, such as the fonts, images, and links, before sending them to the client.

Every day is an opportunity for me to learn how to become a good designer and how professional designers deal with the clients in the real world.

One of the most important aspects of my internship is that the work is done fully remotely. Even though I am not physically in an office, it is still very important to maintain professionalism and stay organized. Working remotely requires strong communication, reliability, and time management in order to complete projects efficiently.

One responsibility I take seriously is being on time for meetings. Since most of our communication happens through Zoom, I make sure to join meetings on time. Even though I am working from home, I still treat the internship like a professional work environment.

During these meetings we talk about current projects, client emails, and any design updates that need to be made. I usually dress casually since I am working from home, but I usually leave my camera on during meetings to show that I am present and engaged in the discussion. I also make sure my microphone is working properly so that I can clearly communicate and respond to any questions about the work.

Another important tool we use is Dropbox, which helps us share and organize files. Through Dropbox we upload and download design files, images, and documents related to client projects. This helps us stay organized when managing multiple projects at the same time.

Since design work requires reliable software and equipment, I also make sure that my computer is running smoothly before starting work. I want to avoid technical problems that could interrupt meetings or slow down my progress on assignments. Preparing my workspace and making sure everything is working correctly helps me stay focused and productive.

Most of our workdays begin in the morning, which allows us to communicate with clients early in the day. This schedule makes it easier to receive feedback and make any necessary design changes before the day gets busy.

Working remotely has taught me the importance of staying organized, communicating clearly, and managing my time effectively. Even though we aren’t in a office, work has to be done successfully and runs smoothly.

Before starting this internship, I spent time searching for opportunities that would allow me to gain real-world experience in the design field. One of the main places I used during my search was the OpenLab Internship Course site provided through NYC College of Technology. This course site is designed to help students who are either looking for internships or already working in one. Professors often post internship opportunities there so students in the Communication Design program can apply.

I applied to several internships as they were being posted. The site made the process easier because it specifically shared opportunities that were relevant to design students. One of the offered happened to be an unpaid internship, who was looking for assistant designers to help with design projects. The position only had 2 opening and it involved supporting her with client work and helping manage design tasks.

After applying, my supervisor contacted me and we scheduled a Zoom interview to discuss the position. During the interview, she asked questions about my design experience and skills. One was like if I knew Adobe software well and whether I had experience designing menus, since many of her clients are restaurant owners.

Good thing on my resume, I had done a internship in the past where I was responsible to edit and update a restaurant menu. Because of that experience, I was able to explain my design process and show examples of my work from my portfolio. This helped demonstrate that I had the skills needed for the type of projects she works on.

After reviewing my portfolio and discussing my skills, my supervisor decided to hire me during the interview. Only a few days after the interview, I officially began working with her as an assistant designer.

The internship search process showed me the importance of having a strong portfolio and being prepared to talk about my design experience. It also demonstrated how valuable resources like the OpenLab internship course can be for students who are trying to find opportunities in their field.

This Spring 2026 Semester, I am working as an Assistant Designer for a small design company that is led by its president who is also my supervisor. The company is a private business and focuses on graphic design services for a variety of clients.

The company specializes in creating many types of design materials. These include menus, menu boards, direct mailers, flyers, posters, signs, logos, and brochures. Most of the clients are business owners, like restaurant owners and store owners who want designs to advertise their products to their customers. Occasionally, the company also works with individuals or organizations that need a designer for a specific project.

Because the company is small, most of the client communication and project direction is handled directly by the president. My role as an assistant designer is to help complete design tasks like working on existing designs, adding new images or text for menus, refreshing layouts, or managing design files for client. Through this work I actually am contributing to real design projects while learning about the professional design process.

My internship is fully remote, which means that communication is very important. We regularly meet through Zoom calls to discuss assignments, project updates, and any changes that need to be made for clients.

The company also has a network of student employees from NYC College of Technology, where they provided internship opportunities to students in the COMD department. By offering these opportunities, the company helps students gain real-world experience while still in school. This connection allows students like me to apply the design skills we have learned in class to real client work and professional environments.

Overall, this internship is giving me valuable experience in the graphic design field. Working directly with the company president allows me to observe how a small design business operates, how designers communicate with clients, and how design projects move from initial ideas to final products. These experiences are helping me develop both my technical design skills and my understanding of the professional design industry.