Reflection

Looking back on this internship experience, I can say I was pretty nervous overall about what to expect from an actual work environment instead of being in a class setting. However, I quickly shook off those nerves as soon as I started working on my assigned tasks. There were a few obstacles I had to work out while interning, such as being a part of a team and organizing when to do some filming.

I learned the importance of communicating with a group when trying to create videos, from the planning and scheduling of when and where to film to actually recording the footage. Even though it was only just my teammate and I working on these videos we managed to get a lot of clips and editing done.

Both my teammate and I were given a lot of freedom in coming up with video ideas, but I felt that I tried playing it save and not branching out or trying something bold and seeing if it stuck. It was like I was holding myself back from showing off my creativity, and after going through this internship I want to be able to not stop myself from trying different and various approaches to ideas.

Poster Design

Even though the main project for this internship was creating and editing TikTok videos for the Public Educational Institution. Another project assigned to both myself and my teammate was a poster design making use of our graphic design skills.

Our supervisor gave us a few details that we should incorporate into the poster design, such as a warm blue color scheme and a geometric minimalist design with a readable typeface.

However, the video project took priority over the poster design so we didn’t actually go further on the designs. We did come up with various concepts and iterations and compiled the original project files into a shared drive for our supervisor to use.

TikTok Videos

While getting settled into the internship, my teammate and I were told about the main project we’d be working on by our supervisor through online zoom meetings, which was to create multiple TikTok videos. We first needed to plan out these videos’ themes and topics, so we created a rough draft for a six-month plan of ideas.

Narrowing down a few videos, we then needed to think about what kind of shots and footage we’d need. By creating storyboards for approved video ideas, my teammate and I moved on to thinking about props and scheduling when to meet for filming.

Our supervisor told us about a few key filming locations we needed for certain videos, such as some footage of the Public Educational Institution Campus and notable landmarks for the boroughs like the Unisphere or the Brooklyn Bridge.

After we got enough footage for each of the videos, both my teammate and I would edit the clips together with music that has an upbeat and light tone. As well as adding in the informational text provided by our supervisor.

Work Environment

During this internship, the work environment for the Public Educational Institution is quite small only consisting of my supervisor, my teammate, and myself. Despite being small it is still a very positive environment.

Most of the time we meet online usually early morning to discuss progress details and feedback. These online meetings are usually kept short from about half an hour to an hour at most. After they finish, I would work on the schedule and plan out locations for filming.

However, for the other times, we would meet in person either at the Public Educational Institution Campus or in a determined location specifically to film. For in-person days I would have to coordinate with my teammate on when and where to arrive. These usually take up most of our working hours for the day and are enjoyable as our supervisor told us to have fun while filming.

Ethics in Graphic Design – Entry II

2A) Looking back on my past when working on some creative projects, I did use others’ creative work such as pictures and images. I made sure to use non-copyrighted images by using stock websites such as Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixalbay. When sourcing images from these websites, I was given liberties to modify and edit the photos as I saw fit. For images that I didn’t find through the stock websites, I would credit the artist that created the work and make sure to source it correctly.

2B) Reading through the New York Times article, “Shepard Fairey Is Fined and Sentenced to Probation in ‘Hope’ Poster Case,” I have a better understanding of the importance of fair use and copyright. Fairey knew that he made a mistake over the copyright of a photograph by The Associated Press when creating his “Hope” Poster, but still tried to cover it up by tampering with the evidence.

I believe that this case could’ve been avoided if Fairey would have reached out to The Associated Press to acquire permission to use their photos. I agree with the outcome of the case, that Fairey was both fined and sentenced to probation. This case still serves as an example of what not to do when dealing with fair use and copyright issues.

Sources
Hodkin, Shayna. What Does Ethical Design Mean?, 5 Aug. 2019, https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/what-does-ethical-design-mean/. Accessed 2022.
Kennedy, Randy. Shepard Fairey Is Fined and Sentenced to Probation in ‘Hope’ Poster Case, 7 Sep. 2012, https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/shephard-fairey-is-fined-and-sentenced-to-probation-in-hope-poster-case/. Accessed 2022.

Ethics in Graphic Design – Entry I

1A) While working on my assigned projects with my teammate, we did not come across any issues with sourcing or copyrighted images. Since our supervisor provided us with images that were taken by and for the Public Educational Institution and gave us permission to use them if needed. As for sourcing video clips, we had to create our own footage to use in editing the TikTok videos.

1B) For my internship, I was not required to sign any kind of confidential or non-disclosure agreement. Despite not needing to sign an NDA, I made sure not to disclose any more than I need to about the assignments I’ve been tasked with. Especially in regards to my internship journal.

My Responsibilities

During my online interview for the Public Educational Institution, my teammate and I were told about the responsibilities and tasks assigned to us while interning. Both of us are to schedule, plan, film, edit, and prepare distribution TikTok videos based on subjects decided by the office and ourselves.

We are to use appropriate filming parameters, tools, and editing software to complete these video projects. In addition, to our filming responsibilities, we also provide supplemental graphic design support such as creating poster designs.

Typically every day unless told otherwise we meet online with our supervisor for check-in and feedback on submitted work. Whenever we aren’t meeting online, my teammate and I would be filming in person on campus or around the city.

About the Organization

After getting orientated by my supervisor during my online interview I officially started my internship at a Public Educational Institution with another intern.

This Public Educational Institution as a whole is an integral part of the civic, urban, and artistic energy of New York and uses the entire city as a living classroom that broadens our students’ understanding of the world around them. I and my teammate specifically, are interning for a specific office within this Public Educational Institution.

This office serves as the chief data strategist and provides leadership for a coordinated and collaborative process to plan and enact strategies to fulfill the college’s mission and Strategic Plan objectives. Both of us will incorporate data given to us by the office to use while creating TikTok videos.

Searching and Obtaining an Internship

During the last few weeks of the spring semester, I had been looking for an internship to be prepared for the course. I started searching through google and then went to LinkedIn for available positions. A few caught my eye, so I organized my resume and cover letter and then sent my application. As it got closer to the start of this course I began to worry as I had not gotten any response from the positions I had applied for.

Just before this semester started, I decided to email professor Nicolaou about my situation in not obtaining an internship yet. She was very helpful with finding an internship position I could apply for on short notice. This led me to apply for the internship at a Public Educational Institution and got an email from the supervisor to set up an online interview for the position. This interview also served as an orientation for both myself and another teammate about what to expect from this internship.