I was relieved and excited to be accepted, and I officially began my internship on June 16. Since then, Iāve been working and collaborating with the team, and Iām very grateful for the opportunity. Iām looking forward to continuing to grow in this role and contributing to the company.
Introduction to the Organization
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For my internship this summer session, I will be working with a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting racial equity and social justice by addressing the challenges faced by communities facing inequality. The organization focuses on creating a society by key areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and housing. This non-profit organization supports groups by education, and by having strong community relationships to help ensure equal access to opportunities and resources. The organization believes in the importance of breaking down obstacles to success, working towards policy, and voices that are often silenced in mainstream conversations.
Founded with the goal of driving change, the company supports policy changes and actively engages in movements. They are involved in raising awareness around racial and social justice issues, often partnering with other groups to strengthen their influence. The organization has a team of individuals who believe in the power of community and collective action. The organization works not only to address, but also to ensure a future where is a lived reality for everyone.
The organization is filled with a team that is working to create meaningful change. As an intern, I will be contributing to several key projects. I look forward to being a part of an organization that is truly making a difference in the fight for equality and justice.
Based on this research, I went to their website In their website, it shows information of what this organization is about. What stood out to me on their website is their approach to community support, for groups like immigrants, seniors, and girls. They focus on services such as healthcare access, educational support, financial counseling, and civic engagement, aiming to break down barriers to opportunity. Their emphasis on empowerment through education and resources, such as Project Sarika for girls, shows a strong commitment to creating long-term, positive change in the community.
My Role and My Responsibilities for that role
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In this company, the role that I’ll be doing is being a Digital Design Associate, I’ll be responsible for creative tasks thatās based on graphic design, digital content, and communication. Iāll be designing newsletters and advertisements, as well as managing content across social media platforms. My focus will be on visuals that align with the companyās brand, whether itās for campaigns, media, or content. Iāll be involved in sending messages and ensuring that my design elements communicate with the audience.
I wanted to be in this position because it matches both my skill set and my interests. Iāve always had a passion for digital design and content creation, and I felt that this role would allow me to grow and make my designs go to the next level.
The hiring process was simple. After submitting my application, I had an interview with the supervisor who gave me an overview of the job and what would be expected of me. During the interview, we discussed my experiences in design. The questions were “Why do you want to work here?” and “How do I handle deadlines?ā After the interview, I received an offer. I felt this role was the best fit. I accepted the offer because I saw a great opportunity to show what I can do while growing my skills in designing.
Now that Iām in this position, my work will focus on creating visual content that promotes Unity for Equalityās mission of social justice. Iāll be helping to develop social media assets in the organizationās visual identity. My goal is to elevate the company’s digital presence to growth through creative and designs that support its mission. Iām excited for this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and make a meaningful difference.
My Projects that I worked on in this Organization
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The projects I worked on the organization involved creating social media posts. Before starting, my supervisor shared a document with me and the other interns in our Microsoft Teams group chat. This document outlined the specific guidelines and requirements for the projects.
The main requirements were as follows: the design should be created on a 1080×1080-pixel canvas in any software of choice. Once the design was completed, it needed to be saved in either PNG or JPG format. Additionally, the company logo had to be included to identify the work. Typography was not required because the company would handle that aspect.
These guidelines helped me understand the key elements I needed to include in order to create effective designs. Most of the time, I used Adobe Illustrator for the illustrations, as my goal was to visually communicate messages that would send a message to the audience based on the topic.
The projects assigned to me included topics such as Educational Barriers and Solutions, Role in Change, The Climate Justice Connection, Gender Justice Through Action, History that Matters, Pride & Intersectionality, and Language Justice. To begin each project, I conducted research on the topic, listed related examples, and then selected one example to illustrate using Adobe Illustrator. Since typography was not required, the focus was on creating an illustration that effectively conveyed the message of the social work topic.
I completed all of the projects on time, meeting the deadlines, and I wanted to continue this approach as I take on new projects. Throughout, I made sure to look through the guidelines and double-checked my work to ensure everything was professional and met the required standards.
Connecting and Collaborating
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Collaborating is one of the important aspects when it comes to working. Over the past few weeks, Iāve been collaborating closely with my supervisor and other team members. As weāre a remote team, the communication has been through Microsoft Teams, which the supervisor set up during my interview. Weāve been working on several social media projects, with the supervisor assigning tasks and deadlines for each one. Right now, we’re focusing on creating assets for social media, including posts and banners for various platforms.
Most of our communication happens remotely, and itās been quite efficient. We use Microsoft Teams for daily updates and announcements, with the team responding quickly and keeping the momentum going. Thereās always a clear exchange of feedback, making sure that designs align with both the clientās goals and the team’s vision.
Although the company is fully remote, the communication and collaboration have been smooth, thanks to Microsoft Teams. Itās helped me stay connected with the rest of the team, and I’ve even had the chance to briefly meet other interns of the company. Through these meetings, I understand the company’s work culture and its process by seeing how my design work fits into the larger picture.
I also met our members that are also part of the internship. Meeting with people online in a group chat on Microsoft Teams is important because it keeps everyone connected and organized, especially when working remotely. It provides space where team members can share updates, ask questions, and collaborate. Even allows for direct messaging, and video calls, making communication more efficient Overall, it promotes clear, consistent communication, making teamwork smoother and more effective.
Ethics in Graphic Design 1A: Managing Image Sourcing and Trademark Usage
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When working on design projects, it’s important to manage how images, trademarks, and logos are sourced and used. Designers need to be aware of copyright laws when selecting images, whether they’re using original artwork, stock photos, or licensed content, ensuring all permissions and rights are accounted for. Company logos and trademarks must be handled with care and respecting their legal protections to preserve the brandās identity. This will examine how designers balance legal requirements with creativity, ensuring that both visuals and brand assets are used correctly while still delivering design solutions.
According to called Ethics of Design: A study into the ethics of Graphic Design, its summaries considerations that graphic designers face, pointing out that ethics in design are shaped by career motivations. It stresses that ethics in design arenāt always clear-cut, especially when compared to issues like legality or sustainability. Using real-world examples, such as the deceptive marketing of Sunny Delight, the use of the Quaker identity by Quaker Oats, and Carex’s exploitation of health fears, the article shows how design choices can manipulate consumers. Also, it calls for designers to be more mindful of their ethical responsibilities in their work.
The design work theyāre doing involves sourcing images and handling the companyās trademarks and logos, as design choices like images, logos, and trademarks can raise concerns. Designers must be cautious about how they use these elements to avoid misleading their audience. For example, the Sunny Delight campaign portrayed the product as healthy, and Quaker Oats has religious imagery. When sourcing images or working with logos, designers must consider the consequences of their choices. Such as copyright. Designers have a responsibility to use images and trademarks with care, making sure that their work is responsible.
Citations & References
Ethics of Design. (n.d.). Summary. Ethics of Design. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://ethicsofdesign.wordpress.com/summary/
Ethics in Graphic Design 1B: Agreement and Internship Journals
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Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that has sensitive information that stays private. Itās often used when businesses or individuals need to share details such as secrets or private data but want to make sure the other party doesnāt leak or share that information. By signing an NDA, everyone agrees to keep things and only use the information for the specific purpose agreed upon. If someone breaks the agreement, they could face legal action or penalties. Overall, itās a way to protect privacy and prevent the important or secret information.
During my internship, I had never heard of the NDA before, and this is my first time. Iāve never had to sign one before. However, I did fill out two forms for the internship. One was the Contact Data Form for this class, which included details like my name, phone number, the company name, a description of the company, and my start date. The other was the Internship Requirement: Dept. Agreement, which provided information such as my name, signature, address, company description, and the professorās name. These forms are relevant to the concept of an NDA because they set clear boundaries and rules for both the intern and the company. They outline job expectations, work hours and other details to ensure Iām on the same page. They also cover legal requirements, such as tax or health-related information, to ensure everything is handled properly. Also, these forms protect both parties and help the internship run smoothly.
If there was a NDA, I would fill it out, the same way I did it for the 2 forms in internship because it helps protect sensitive information from being shared or misused. I agree to keep any details I learned during the internship or job private, which helps build trust between myself and the company. It also sets clear boundaries about what can and canāt be shared.
Citations & References
Reference: RocketLawyer. (2025). Non-disclosure agreement. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/91894008/Non-Disclosure-Agreement
Ethics in Graphic Design 2A: Reflecting on Credit and the Use of Others Work
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Students can reflect on times when theyāve used someone elseās creative work. It encourages them to think about how they gave credit to the original creator for their contributions. Did they properly acknowledge where the work came from, or did they overlook giving credit? It highlights the importance of respecting property and considering how to honor othersā creativity in a fair and ethical way.
According to the article called AIGAās Guide to Copyright, it explains how copyright law applies to designers and their creative work, emphasizing that it protects the ownership of designs and gives designers control over how their work is used. It outlines what types of work can be copyrighted, stressing that the work must be original and creative. This article also covers the rights designers have over their creations, including the ability to license, or prevent others from using their work without permission. It explains the concept of fair use, details how copyright can be transferred and discusses the importance of copyright notice. The article also explains work-for-hire situations, where the designer may not retain ownership of their work, and the need for clear contracts.
When I started my internship and also the design classes that I have in city tech, I havenāt really used someone else’s creative work in the past. I do appreciate and get inspired by other artists, writers, and creators, but I tend to stick to my own ideas when it comes to producing something. If I ever did take inspiration from someone, though, Iād make sure to give them credit, whether it was a shoutout or referencing their work. Giving credit feels like a part of respecting someone else’s creativity and making sure theyāre recognized.
Citations & References
GrefƩ, R. (2001). Guide to copyright. AIGA. PDF. New York City; Richard GrefƩ, AIGA.
Ethics in Graphic Design 2B: Opinion and Analysis of Its Impact
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In this article called Shepard Fairey Is Fined and Sentenced to Probation in āHopeā Poster Case by Randy Kennedy is about Shepard Fairey, the artist behind the iconic Hope poster of Barack Obama, was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $25,000 after pleading guilty to charges of documents related to the creation of the image. Fairey’s use of a photo of Obama was taken by Associated Press photographer Manny Garcia, which he had manipulated into his now-famous poster. Fairey had claimed to have used a different photo as the source for the artwork, but during legal proceedings, it was revealed that he had lied about the origins of the image. The case raised questions about copyright, artistic freedom, and photography and art.
Based on what I read in this article, my opinion is that I think the arguments and outcome of the Fairey copyright case were reasonable. While the Hope poster became so powerful during the Obama campaign, it didnāt excuse the fact that Shepard Fairey used a photograph by Manny Garcia without permission or credit. His attempt to cover this up by documents only made matters worse. Even though the poster had cultural impact, the legal system had to hold him to protect the rights of the original photographer. The fines were a fair consequence, reminding us that creative freedom doesnāt mean bypassing copyright laws.
Citations & References
Miller, S. (2012, September 7). Shepard Fairey is fined and sentenced to probation in ‘Hope’ poster case. The New York Times. https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/shephard-fairey-is-fined-and-sentenced-to-probation-in-hope-poster-case/
Self-Reflection
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What’s important about having a designer role in this company is that it gives me a chance to apply what Iāve learned in the city tech communication design major to real projects. Working at this organization helps me see how my skills fit and go to the next level and I feel like I accomplished that during these weeks and Iām very proud of myself. This internship helps them get used to meeting deadlines, collaborating with a team, and handling client feedback. It’s also where I can develop practical skills. Overall, Iām happy that I gained that experience.
When I began working as an intern, I got a sense and understood the organizationās mission and its purpose. Itās about promoting and fighting for equal rights for communities. As I settled into my role as a digital design associate, I started to understand how the team works together to make a real impact, and how my own work contributes to that bigger goal. Itās been very helpful.
I wanted to really focus on the design projects I was given, making sure they were polished and free of errors before submitting them. I paid close attention to the details, making sure everything flowed well and met the standards the supervisor asked for. I also kept in touch with my supervisor to get feedback along the way, making sure I was on the right track and meeting deadlines.
Throughout my internship, I learned how to track my time using the Time Clock feature on Microsoft Teams, to make sure I stayed on top of my progress. I also became aware of using Microsoft Planner to assign project tasks, checking due dates, and know where to submit my work. Communication became a key skill as I learned how to reach out to my supervisor for guidance and support, as well as how to assist students who were struggling. I gained a clear understanding of the guidelines provided by my supervisor, which helped me become professional and avoid mistakes. These skills demonstrate my ability to take responsibility as a designer and continue to improve my performance as a team member.
Presentation
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In this presentation below, Iāll walk you all through my experience finding and landing an internship. Iāll also give you a look at what my role involves, some of the projects Iāve worked on, and what Iāve learned so far. In the final part, Iāll reflect on the skills Iāve gained and how this experience has helped me grow professionally. Here are the links below:
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHbiZwjxhVs
Presentation Video (Youtube):
Presentation Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yEFmgaH2v5KQF-DYk73ZzLzWJ5PxYnnJ_rWyo9kJn0s/edit?pli=1&slide=id.p#slide=id.p
Presentation PDF:
Wrap Up/Ending
As my internship wraps up, I canāt help but think about how much Iāve grown over the past few weeks. From jumping into new projects to building relationships with my supervisor and fellow interns, Iāve gained my skills and gotten a better sense of what I want to do in the future. It wasnāt easy, but Iām proud of the progress Iāve made and how Iāve pushed myself. Iām excited to see where this all leads next. A huge thank you to my professor and the amazing students who supported me along the way. Iāll always remember this experience.
Thatās the end of my blog. Thanks for all for following along my journey.
