Category: Uncategorized

This summer I worked at Unity For Equality, a nonprofit organization that helps communities, youths and even people overseas who lack homes. At Unity for Equality, I created a multitude of multimedia projects. My first project was creating a brand guidelines for the company. When it comes to the brand guidelines, work must be original in that it isn’t copied from another brand or individual’s work in anyway. Within the AIGA’s Guide to Copyright, “work must be original and creative to be copyrightable.” Because I was not the designer who created the logo, this applies to their logo’s conception because it is creative and represents their company. I asked for .png files of the logos, symbols and previous designs to see what the aesthetic of Unity For Equality was.

My second project involved photography. In AIGA’s chapter on Use of Photography, they make it clear that photographers must be credited for their work even if the license to use was purchased. More specifically, “the photographer owns the opportunity to use or sell the image in all other uses, unless he or she sells the copyright in writing prior to the photoshoot.” Unity For Equality does not have photographers or a database to choose from. When I asked I was told to find free to use photos and I did so using Unsplashed.com where the photographers don’t mind the lack of purchase. At the same time, when delivering the file, it wouldn’t be wrong to tell my supervisor who took specific photos as a courtesy note as there is no place on the design to add it in.

I did not have to sign an NDA for my position, but I do know insight about the company that if leaked could help their competition. According to “Professional Ethics in Graphic Design” an article by Christopher Simmons, there’s an unwritten form of NDA when you’re in a position where you know inside information on the company. Doing something as simple as letting friends and family know about the projects you are working on could speak danger for the company. Ethically, all information is confidential and should not be shared to outsiders.  In this article, it is said that even creating public Pinterest boards could expose a company’s ambition indirectly. Social media goals and aspirations as well as future projects being talked about is ethically wrong to disclose to those outside of the company.

After reading the AIGA chapters, I realized a lot of carelessness can be a result of infringing on copyright. It is much more than just credit, its understanding how to credit and what kind of license you’ve purchased from an artist. This license dictates what you can’t and can’t do with their work. There’s a huge misconception that buying art is plain and simple when in reality there are terms to protect both the artist and client from misunderstandings in the future, or if the work turns out to be successfully used commercially.

“Design Business and Ethics.” AIGA, www.aiga.org/design-business-and-ethics.

Ethics Assignment Part 2

I have used other’s work for inspiration, but never to create a replica of what they have done. For instance, to get an idea of what corporate calendars look like, I made a Pinterest board with common themes that showed the most important elements. When I use to draw, I would reference poses, but never for profit. In my personal projects that are graphic heavy, I use photos taken by other people, I don’t credit them, but now I know it is important to even If I don’t profit off of these photos or models, I’m simply experimenting. Not to mention the rights to the photos I use are unclear and therefore crediting would be a great courtesy movement and let others who view my work know that I do not have a hand in the art direction in the photos.

I don’t believe the Fairey Copy Right case’s outcome was fair even though they settled out of court. What Fairey did was use another artist’s work to create a poster that elevated his status as an artist to which he directly profited from without giving the appropriate credit or compensation to the artist whose photo he edited in a myriad of ways. I don’t think editing takes away an artist’s ownership of a work, especially when without the coloring it was still recognizable as that artist’s work. He use many techniques to obscure the photos and even referenced other photos in the process before ultimately settling on one artist and not crediting. I think the situation would have been different if Fairey did not profit off the art, and if it hadn’t become so sensationalized–– which isn’t his fault, this is the purpose of art, but at the same time it really played a role in the original artist wanting credit.

“Design Business and Ethics.” AIGA, www.aiga.org/design-business-and-ethics.

Scott, Mac. “Obama Hope Poster – Shepard Fairey (2008).” Medium, FGD1 The Archive, 6 Nov. 2017, medium.com/fgd1-the-archive/obama-hope-poster-by-shepard-fairey-1307a8b6c7be.

Interning at Unity For Equality for five weeks was a blast, notably because the projects I took on were ones that I’d already be doing with my personal projects. I enjoy creating collateral and printed materials, it’s my only skills. I learned to be organized and to not be afraid to pitch ideas and make suggestions even though I am a student with not much experience.

I feel as though I’ve grown as a designer because of my new found communication skills. I was also made to brush up on using indesign’s table tools and alternate page numbering, tools I don’t have as much experience with as I haven’t used them as in context as UFE has allowed me to do. I do wonder if COVID-19’s restrictions has hindered my growth since it didn’t allow me to step out of my comfort zone as much as I would have liked to but in the end I’ve made projects I’m proud of.

The completed Calendar.

Link to Presentation: https://youtu.be/rRzPwpi3cgQ

Every week, UFE has a company meeting. I’m learning that meetings are essential and helps refresh company culture. During this internship, I’ve met my supervisor, the company head. She’s kind, easy to work with and great at her job. Once during work I had trouble understanding some of the tweaks needed for a project, I asked her many questions and it turned out the tweak had been a mistake and we worked it out together. I love being able to work with someone and communicate effortlessly.

I learned that she was located in Singapore and had an alternate timezone than me. My experience at UFE has been an amazing one. I look up to both my supervisor and the chairman because they’ve been so helpful with my process and I can tell they really enjoy their job. Lastly, I am working on a business brochure project, and although I have sketches, I’m still working out two versions to show the team for approval. I feel overall really focused and excited to take on more print projects because it is my passion and my ultimate career goal–– to be an editorial designer. Because I have decided to stay on with them, I will make it my duty to talk to them more and see what else there is for me to learn.

On a typical internship day, I wake up at 8AM review assignments and note my process. If I’m starting a new project I ask the head of my department as much as I can to make sure I clearly understand what’s needed. I’m grateful the head of my department is readily available to answer me. I’m learning that asking questions is really helpful as a designer– in classes I didn’t a as nearly as much as I do now and I wonder why because now that I have my work has less errors and I really understand.

Something I learned from this project is that attention to detail is very important and although a design is solid, putting in relevant holidays can be a mixed bag of what’s important at what isn’t. By the end of this assignment I had ten versions! I also learned that being organized really helps the process of vetting which design works and the alternate versions just incase they are seen to be better than the final. This project has so many layers and so much detailing. I’m happy with the way it came out because I’ve always wanted to design a calendar but  by the end of it all the text looked unreal to me because I stared at it for too long.

.

The culture of UFE is clean cut, easy and an environment that encourages one to be curious. The chairman goes out of his way to let staff know that they can come to him for anything and with complaints even if its about him. He loves UFE and puts so much passion into this company. Everything’s remote and many workers are not in the same country. At the same time its very friendly and welcoming and my supervisor encourages us to suggest ways to bond. Because of COVID-19, we did not meet in person, only through weekly ZOOM meetings in which the chairman reviewed the organization’s goals and milestones. For the first meeting I was a few minutes late as I wasn’t familiar with the format of Office and how it schedules events. After this, I made sure to come early and also tried my best to be attentive and make suggestions as instructed. Overall, I like working remotely. I can wear what I want and plan my schedule accordingly. I know many people miss the face to face interactions but truthfully, as an introvert, I wasn’t affected by the lack of office hours.

Source: Zoom Blog

The first project I had was collaborative. Although I was in charge of design and copy, the head of my department helped once I showed her the options. My projects right now are all 1 on 1 with the collaborative portion coming after it is done.

Firstly, I asked if there were any brand guidelines. I realized there was a lack in consistency and spoke to the head of my department. I asked her if there were any rules we should follow while designing. I explained to her that I was browsing the social media pages and was thinking about the question I asked her earlier. I felt as though it may help create a flow of consistency as well as boost the organization’s social media presence. For guidelines, typography, usage of the logo, colors and design parameters as well as the brand’s personality.

I explained to her that once this is developed, as the organization feels itself out, things like Brand Voice can be added and expanded upon, especially helpful since the organization is active on social media. Keywords is something that would be an interesting addition in the future. For right now the most important is Colors, Logo Usage and Fonts. I also noticed that some of Unity’s employees are remote workers so a PDF to send around would help designers be on the same page with the basis of how Unity For Equality presents itself! Looking back at our interaction I’m proud at how well I articulated myself and hope to do better. I really enjoy this organization.

The project was successful although I wish there was more information to add to the branding book to help designers further.

Below are some pages from the project, I used the company’s colors and high contrasts to embody the feel of the company.

After receiving my soon to be supervisor’s contact information from my Professor. Our communication was brief and swift over email before we eventually scheduled a phone interview. Beforehand I sent him my resume and portfolio. Despite missing my call being missed, he contacted me later to let me know  gained the position as an Intern at Unity For Equality. I am in the communications and marketing department as a graphic designer! He gave me an email for the organization as well as access to coast to communicate with my coworkers.

The company I am working for is Unity For Equality. UFE is a company that was founded in 2016 by the chairman and located in Queens New York with other hubs in different parts of the world. UFE’s mission is to help communities by taking up tasks such as providing assistance to seniors in the health insurance market, providing job placement and helping student complete college applications.

The company I worked at is relatively small with about 30 active employees including the board of directors. It is a public, non profit organization. It is a relatively young company, and therefore I cannot find any articles about their tasks. Their clientele base is the community first and the various partnerships UFE.

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/kyasiabrown-eportfolio/files/2018/02/3503_brown_lowres.pdf