Reflection On My Internship Experience Spanish PDF
Reflection On My Internship Experience English PDF
Ethics in Graphic Design 2b
After reading about the Shepard Fairey HOPE poster case, I believe the outcome was fair. While Fairey’s poster became an iconic piece of political design and transformed the original photograph into something visually different, it was still based on a photograph taken by another artist. The case demonstrated that even when a design is highly creative, artists are still responsible for acknowledging and respecting the rights of the original creator. What stood out to me even more was that Fairey attempted to conceal evidence during the legal process, which shifted the issue beyond copyright into one of professional ethics. The case serves as an important reminder that designers should be transparent about their sources and handle disputes honestly, since integrity is just as important as creativity in professional practice.
Sources
Shepard Fairey Is Fined and Sentenced to Probation in ‘Hope’ Poster Case
Ethics in Graphic Design 1b (NDA)
Another ethical responsibility during my internship involved confidentiality. Before beginning my internship, I signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), which means that client information, internal strategy discussions, presentations, and work in progress cannot be shared publicly without permission. Because of this agreement, I have been careful about what I include in my internship journal. While I can discuss my responsibilities, workflow, and the skills I am developing, I intentionally avoid identifying confidential details about the studio, supervisors, or internal client work. This experience has helped me understand that maintaining confidentiality is an important part of building trust between designers, clients, and the organizations they work with.
Overall, these experiences have reinforced that ethical design extends beyond creating good visuals. It also involves respecting intellectual property, following licensing requirements, and protecting confidential information throughout the design process.
Sources
Mentor Figure at Work
One of the most valuable parts of my internship has been working under a mentor who has challenged my approach to design. Rather than focusing solely on whether something looks visually appealing, his feedback consistently encourages me to consider the reasoning behind every design decision. One of the questions he asks most often is, “Why?” Whether it is choosing a typeface, introducing a graphic element, or developing a concept, he pushes our team to explain the purpose of each decision and how it supports the project’s overall goals.
Coming into this internship, I felt confident in my technical design abilities from my academic experience. However, I also realized that I was missing a strong foundation in strategic thinking. This internship has shown me that successful design is not just about creating something attractive, it is about solving problems, communicating clearly, and making intentional decisions that align with a client’s mission and audience. Learning to think strategically before designing has been one of the biggest shifts in my development as a designer.
Another quality I admire is the way he critiques work. Feedback is always direct and honest, but it is delivered with the goal of helping us improve rather than simply pointing out mistakes. Every critique becomes a conversation that encourages exploration and deeper thinking instead of settling for the first solution. This approach has helped me become more open to iteration and has reinforced that strong design is built through research, refinement, and collaboration.
As I continue my internship, I find myself carrying these lessons into every project. Instead of immediately asking how something should look, I now begin by asking what problem the design is solving and whether every visual decision has a clear purpose. That mindset shift is something I believe will stay with me throughout my career and has become one of the most valuable takeaways from this internship.
Ethics in Graphic Design 2A
The readings on ethics and copyright have changed the way I think about design and the responsibilities that come with it. Before this internship, I mostly viewed design as creating something visually effective. Now I understand that good design also involves respecting others’ work, being transparent, and making ethical decisions throughout the creative process. As I continue developing as a designer, I realize that professionalism is just as important as creativity.
Throughout school and personal projects, I have occasionally used photographs, illustrations, or other visual references created by others. Whenever I included someone else’s work, I made sure to credit the original creator by listing their name whenever possible. For example, if I used a photograph in a presentation or mood board, I included the photographer’s name and source. These readings reinforced that giving proper credit is not only respectful but also an ethical responsibility that recognizes the time and effort behind another person’s work.
Sources
Shepard Fairey Is Fined and Sentenced to Probation in ‘Hope’ Poster Case
Ethics in Graphic Design 1a
Throughout my internship, I have become more aware of how important ethical practices are in the design process. One area that stood out to me was the responsible sourcing of visual assets. Although my project has primarily focused on developing a nonprofit organization’s visual identity rather than creating marketing campaigns with photography, there have been occasions where reference imagery was needed. The studio maintains a licensed Getty Images account, allowing us to legally source photographs when necessary instead of using images found through online searches. This reinforces the importance of respecting copyright, licensing agreements, and the work of photographers and other creators. It has shown me that using properly licensed assets is just as important as creating original design work.
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Reflection On The Internship Experience
Although I am only halfway through my internship, this experience has already changed the way I think about design. Coming into the studio, I knew I wanted to create work that carried meaning and had a lasting impact. What I didn’t realize was how much strategy, research, and collaboration go into creating any visual design. This internship has shown me that strong design isn’t only about creating something that looks good; it’s about understanding the problem, asking the right questions, and building a solution with intention.
One of the biggest shifts in my thinking came during my first performance review, when I was introduced to the difference between being a designer and being a strategic designer. That idea has stayed with me throughout the internship. I’ve been exposed to new tools, workflows, and ways of thinking that I was never introduced to in school. While City Tech gave me a strong design foundation, this experience has shown me how strategy transforms design into something much more purposeful.
I also know that growth doesn’t happen without challenges. There have been moments when I left a concept review feeling frustrated, not because of the feedback I received, but because I knew I was capable of pushing my ideas further. One afternoon after a review, I stepped away from my computer and took a walk through a nearby park. I sat beside an open field and gave myself time to disconnect for a while. That small break helped me reset my mindset and return to my work with a clearer perspective. Looking back, I realized the challenge wasn’t the critique itself; it was my own desire to reach a higher standard.
Throughout the internship, our team was introduced to four core values: Commanding Leadership, Boundless Curiosity, Meaningful Growth, and Genuine Belonging. Each one has influenced the way I approach my work, but the value that has stayed with me the most is Meaningful Growth. It reminds me that becoming a better designer isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about continuously learning, accepting feedback, and improving through every project and every conversation.
Beyond the work itself, I’ve also found something I was hoping to experience in my first professional internship: a sense of belonging. The studio has created an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and contributing to meaningful work. Even as an intern, I’ve felt that my perspective is valued, and that has given me confidence to continue growing.
There is still much more to learn before my internship concludes in August, but I already know this experience has had a lasting impact on me. It has challenged the way I think, strengthened my confidence, and given me a clearer understanding of the kind of designer I want to become. More importantly, it has confirmed that I am exactly where I want to be and that is continuing to grow outside of this internship.
Collaboration and Teamwork
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during my internship is how essential communication is to a successful design process. Since our team has been working on one branding project throughout the summer, collaboration has been part of every stage. We regularly discuss our design decisions, share progress, and give each other feedback before presenting our work. These conversations have helped strengthen our concepts and ensure that every design choice is intentional.
Our hybrid work schedule has also shown me that collaboration doesn’t stop when people are working remotely. On Mondays and Fridays, when we work from home, the other design intern and I often stay on a Zoom call for most of the day. We treat it as a shared workspace where we can ask questions, exchange ideas, and review each other’s work while continuing to refine our concepts. It creates a similar environment to working side by side in the studio.
Throughout the internship, we’ve also received feedback from other members of the creative team, both during in-person meetings and online. One aspect I especially appreciate is the guidance from our creative and strategy mentor. Rather than simply telling us what works or doesn’t work, they encourage us to think more strategically about every decision we make and to support our ideas with clear reasoning. That approach has helped me become a more thoughtful designer and presenter.
Beyond the project itself, the studio has created an environment where I feel comfortable contributing ideas and asking questions. We were even given the opportunity to create animated GIFs introducing ourselves for the studio’s social media, which made us feel like part of the team from the beginning. Overall, the collaborative culture has been one of the most valuable parts of my internship, showing me that strong design is built through open communication and willingness to learn from others.