With each passing day, creative minds turn to technology to design and inspire. There are many applications, not just on computers, but on mobile devices as well, that open up ways to interact, design, and grow as creators.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to use as many mobile apps as I would have liked during my life. But there are many I have used on computers. Ranging from visual art to sound, I have had my fair share of experience with various computer applications.

Being me, and being enamored with things like cartoons and video games and things in that realm of entertainment, I loved drawing. But developing things and finishing things was something that always escaped me, especially since I didn’t have the “professional tools” to really continue working on anything past sketches and more refined pencil drawings. After I finished high school, though, there was one program I’ve always dallied in. Paint Tool SAI, a program used by illustrators to draw digitally. It’s a very commonly used program in Japan, and its easy accessibility makes it a choice program for various American users as well.

The focus on this application is illustration capabilities. In contrast to various photo editing and digital design programs, SAI comes ready with tools and presets that mimic real media, like pens, brushes and markers. Customization of these tools is possible, from weights of lines to textures, to colors and shapes. This allows users to fine-tune the things they use.

The user interface is a bit intimidating at first, but everything is easy to pick up after a few minutes of exploration. Color wheels, layers, clear labels on tools and functions are all visible without immediate need for submenus or complicated navigation.

SAI is a fun, approachable tool to use for anyone who loves to illustrate. It’s a good tool to use to improve things like linework and coloring, and wonderful for developing everything from sketches to fully finished paintings, and everything in between.

With sound there are so many different programs people use in order to produce and interact with sound. Music, effects, the whole nine yards. Growing up I was never interested in sound as a profession, but I DID grow up loving video games and the music featured in them. I experimented a lot with GarageBand and MIDI sequences in high school, but when it came time to try at home, where I used Windows instead of Mac, there was one program I turned to: Mixcraft.

Mixcraft is Windows’ GarageBand, so to speak. It doesn’t have every single capability GarageBand has, but it comes with many instrument presets, premade sequences, multi-track capability, and various ways to alter sound, the way GarageBand does.

One of its biggest draws is support for user-made plugins, a feature shared by many other creation programs. Users outside of Mixcraft’s own development team can make their own instruments and effects to share with one another, allowing Mixcraft to grow as a tool.

With Mixcraft I was able to drag and drop MIDI files the way I could in GarageBand way back when. Editing capabilities for MIDIs in particular are very extensive: notes can be edited and even rewritten; instruments can be changed, and effects can be applied to make an arrangement your very own.

Mixcraft is fun to use, fun for experimentation and inexpensive sound production. It could be used as a gateway to more intricate (and expensive) software, or it could be used to make more out of a music and sound hobby.

Both programs are, in fact, paid programs, which could be a considerable drawback for some. SAI goes for about $50, while Mixcraft goes for $90 for the regular version, and $170 for the Pro version.  These are one-time-only payments; any updates may not require additional payment, so expenses aren’t too high. The fact is, while not as professional as programs made by companies by Adobe or Sony, these programs are far more advanced than entry level programs, and with dedication and application, can be used to jump start a career in creativity.

As it would seem, things here aren’t as organized as they could be, which is to be expected when multiple people with multiple priorities don’t keep up with what needs to get done.

I spent this week working with one of my supervisors to organize the work me and my coworkers needed to get done.  CtP covers a lot of different causes, ranging from health and hygiene, to education, to social issues, to safety for men and women alike.  As such, there are a lot of banners that need to be designed.  While I and my fellow interns DID know this, uncertainty arose regarding the material we would be using to finish the designs.

Having that resolved means these last few weeks will be dedicated to continuing designing the collateral this company needs. I’ve been assigned designs for additional content on CtP’s website as well.

Assignments due for my other classes only add to the amount of organization I’ve had to do with my workload. I hope I get good results for my efforts.

Work continues to move along smoothly. Nothing incredibly exciting has happened so far.

I realize that I’ve already hit the halfway mark here at CtP. I can say with honesty that I have enjoyed working with the individuals I met here, especially my supervisors. Sadly as a startup company, things aren’t as busy as established agencies, but being able to supply my services and meet requirements, in a place where it doesn’t seem to have been done previously, is satisfying.

For a short time, my priorities were shifted from banner design to certificate design.  While the design itself wasn’t incredibly intricate, it was nice to deviate for a short time, to break the monotony of my workload.

As my time at CtP reaches its end, I can say that I am satisfied with what I was able to contribute. Just need to get a few more things done before my time is up.

Well, fortunately for me, working alongside someone to get things done at Changing the Present hasn’t been too much of a hassle. There have been minor setbacks but nothing enough to keep everyone off track.

This week, however, I learned that I’d have yet another person assisting me. I’ve suddenly been put in charge of a small group of interns, all designing collateral for this company.

I normally don’t assume leadership roles in anything as I find I’m not as competent a leader as I’d like to be. But there’s some fun in having that kind of responsibility, of being seen as someone who knows his work and can teach others.

Luckily the work isn’t incredibly difficult to teach. I’m eager to see how this arrangement works out; it keeps the internship fun and fresh.

Prior to this week, aside from working closely with my supervisors in regard to my design, I worked alone. This was intentional: I was to be the only person working on the web bonkers. This week, however, I was informed that I would be showing another intern my process so that they would help me.

I was adverse to this in the beginning. I was content with being the only person doing this work, because as a result I would be the sole person responsible for the work, which would only help strengthen the relationship I have with my supervisors. Having to now show another person how to do what I’ve nearly perfected (and with different software, no less) feels like a chore.

But I took up the internship with more of a willingness to help and mess to receive help myself, which means I will do what I must to assist everyone in the business. In turn, I hope to help Changing the Present’s clients and eventually people around the world.

My anxiety has subsided somewhat, and my process has become easier. I’m still on good terms with both of my supervisors, both of whom have nothing but good opinions of me.

I’ve been enjoying my time here so far. It’s quiet and calm. Working with my supervisors is never a difficult task; my goal was to work alongside these people to ascertain everything gets done to their standards. I consider myself a real team member, so much so that it feels as if I’ve worked with them longer than three weeks.

I did get sick this week however, which threw a wrench in my routine. I missed my scheduled Thursday, but I made it a point to show up the day after. The more I can provide this business before I meet my quota, the better off we all will be in the end.

Second week. I’m thrown directly into the fray. I opted to build my files from scratch, so that I can have maximum control over my work. My supervisors are delighted to have someone who knows their stuff doing the design work.

Yet I begin to feel that creeping, overwhelming feeling again. Anxiety, stress? I have work to keep up with in school alongside the work at Changing the Present. I hope I can keep up.

Life has been busy. I completely forgot to keep up with these.

I began interning at Changing the Present at the beginning of October.

Changing the Present is a non-profit organization that specializes in giving gifts to society by way of education and healthcare organizations and businesses. As a startup, the company doesn’t have the funds to operate at a pace its workers would appreciate. But what they are working for and serving as a marketplace for companies to help those in need is a very noble cause.

Upon arriving at that office (both when I began and when I went to the interview prior) I could see how mellow, how homely it was. It was kind of comforting, seeing how plain it looked. It fit their cause well; working with little, helping those with just as much.

Right off the bat I got along with both my supervisors: Alyssa, head of editorial, and Robert, head of the business. My goal there is to prove my competence and ability to work alongside them to reach their design goals. In getting to know them and working with them during my briefing, I may have earned their respect and appreciation.

I’ve been tasked with designing banners for the websites and other media hosted by expected beneficiaries.

My worries of finding a position have eased considerably. Being able to contribute and get things done with individuals dedicated to their work is icing on the cake.

This past week I received a response from one of the companies I applied to: Student Global LLC. I was to be interviewed by the head of myKlovr, its education technology division, to discuss my position.

On Friday I accepted the phone call. I was informed of the objective of its education technology division, myKlovr: to encourage education and connection with schools and businesses, and to supply counseling for college students. The company was in need of additional design help. I discussed how I had grown with design, and how I was eager to help people who were in this exact situation, how willing I was to grow among like-minded creators. Our conversation was a good one.

I was nervous, obviously, at the prospect of the interview and what could go wrong, but I approached it with determination and honesty. I am expecting a follow-up this coming Monday.

In addition to that, thanks to assistance from a friend, I am to meet up with Alyssa Ettinger this coming Tuesday to discuss a potential position with her as well. I hope to land one of the two so that I can begin my learning experience as well as my contribution.

As this happens I continue to try to keep up with updating my portfolios, while also juggling my classes. It continues to prove difficult to do.

My materials are slowly coming together. My personal website is further developed than it was previously. Online portfolio is more cohesive. Resume and cover letter are less generic.

But looking for potential positions has been difficult. In between keeping up work for my other classes and refining the material I have to show potential employers, I have applied to various companies, but no luck with acquiring an interview.

I will continue to look for companies to apply to while refining my work even more in the process.  I also need to look for events to attend, in the hopes that I can garner connections and land a position.