Category: Process Journal

This Process Journal is a place for collecting ideas, freewriting, images, links, videos, reflections and documenting the creative process.

Mentor Figure at Work

I’d like to express my sincere appreciation for my supervisor’s practice of sending concise post-meeting summaries via email following our Zoom meetings. While I always strive to take comprehensive notes during these discussions, these follow-up emails serve as an invaluable resource that strengthens my understanding and ensures efficient execution of tasks.

These summaries offer several key benefits. Firstly, they provide a clear and concise record of action items and deadlines. This is particularly helpful in meetings with multiple participants and complex discussions, where information overload can sometimes occur. Having a centralized reference point ensures everyone is on the same page, minimizing the risk of missed details or misinterpretations.

Secondly, the summaries serve as a powerful tool for reinforcing key takeaways from the meeting. By revisiting the key points and decisions made, these emails help solidify my understanding and ensure I’m aligned with expectations. This proactive approach fosters a culture of clear communication within the team, minimizing the need for clarification or follow-up questions later.

Ultimately, these post-meeting summaries contribute significantly to a more efficient workflow. By having a clear understanding of tasks and deadlines, I can prioritize effectively and move forward with confidence. This not only enhances my individual productivity but also ensures the team efficiently progresses towards our collective goals. I am grateful for my supervisor’s commitment to clear communication, and I believe this practice sets a valuable example for effective team collaboration.

Image by Gabriel Benois from Unsplash

Reflection on the Internship Experience

I honed my communication skills by facilitating client meetings and actively listening to understand their goals, target audience, and brand identity. This involved asking insightful questions to help clients articulate their vision and identify areas for improvement in their marketing materials.
Marketing Material Development: I gained practical experience in developing creative and impactful marketing materials, such as brochures, menus, and business cards. I learned to analyze client needs and brand guidelines to ensure the materials resonated with the target audience while seamlessly integrating with the established brand image.
Collaboration: I collaborated effectively with another intern to act as a liaison between businesses seeking a marketing refresh. This teamwork experience strengthened my ability to communicate ideas clearly, delegate tasks efficiently, and work towards a common goal.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

One of the initial challenges I faced was helping clients define their vision for their marketing materials. Through active listening and open-ended questioning, I learned to guide them to articulate their needs and identify areas for improvement. This approach fostered trust and collaboration, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes.

Image by Serrah Galos from Unsplash

My Role as an Intern

I work with another intern and we both played a key role in client relations, acting as a liaison between our businesses seeking to refresh their marketing materials. This involved facilitating client meetings to understand their specific goals, target audience, and existing brand identity. Through active listening and insightful questioning, we helped them articulate their vision and identify areas where their brochures, menus, and business cards could be enhanced.

By analyzing their needs and brand guidelines, we will continue collaboration to develop creative and impactful marketing materials that not only resonated with the target audience but also seamlessly integrated with the client’s established brand image. This process allowed me to hone my communication skills, conduct effective client needs assessments, and gain valuable experience in maintaining brand consistency across various marketing touch points.

Image by Tim Arterbury from Unsplash

Projects

Project Description

In my first project at the Business & Industry Workforce Training Center (BIWTC), I was tasked with creating flyers to promote two of their programs: Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Recognizing the absence of a formally established brand identity at BIWTC, and considering City Tech’s role in flyer production and publication, I strategically leveraged City Tech’s signature blue and orange color scheme to ensure visual consistency within the college’s branding.

 

Design Strategy for the DSP Flyer:

Emphasis on Clarity and Calmness: Extensive use of white space fosters a sense of serenity and allows for easy information processing while keeping the original colors of City Tech.
Visual Hierarchy: The flyer is divided into distinct sections: an information block clearly presenting program details and a complementary visual element that subtly reinforces the program’s purpose.

 

Design Rationale HVAC Flier:

Color Scheme: The use of blue and orange creates a dynamic and energetic visual representation of the HVAC industry. Blue evokes feelings of trust and reliability, while orange signifies action and power. This combination effectively conveys the professionalism and efficiency associated with HVAC services.
Imagery: The inclusion of images showcasing typical HVAC tasks not only informs potential applicants about the job duties but also emphasizes the practical and hands-on nature of the work.
Diversity & Inclusion: Featuring a diverse workforce, including women, accurately reflects the evolving landscape of the HVAC industry and promotes a message of equal opportunity. This inclusive approach aims to attract a broader pool of qualified candidates.

Image by Octavian Dan from Unsplash

Collaboration

I’m excited to collaborate with a fellow intern on a comprehensive marketing materials revamp. Together, we’ll develop innovative concepts for new menus and business cards, exploring the possibility of crafting discount template designs as well. Our collaborative approach will leverage each other’s strengths, fostering a creative exchange that ensures the final materials are visually compelling and strategically aligned with the client’s brand identity. Through this process, we aim to achieve a cohesive brand experience across these key touch points. This project allows me to hone my teamwork skills and contribute to the development of impactful marketing materials.

Image by Windows from Unsplash 

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