Stephanie Erazo

During my time as an intern at a non-profit organization, I collaborated with a fellow Strategist and a team of individuals with distinct skill sets. This experience taught me the necessary skills required for the advertising industry. Based on my experiences, I have gained substantial knowledge about developing a successful campaign and producing a persuasive PSA commercial. Overall, this internship has been a life-changing opportunity that has broadened my perspective on the dynamic world of advertising.

Amazing things can happen when motivated and talented individuals who share a common passion come together. They provide inspiration, go beyond limits, and maintain focus on goals. It’s not solely about motivation; they also bring fresh ideas and perspectives that foster personal and professional growth. Collaboration becomes effortless, creating a solid team that enhances creativity and productivity. Collective achievements surpass what can be accomplished alone.

This internship has been fantastic. Our team meetings are full of valuable insights and positive results. Even though we have different roles, we always support one another, fostering a harmonious and cooperative environment. We have moderators assigned to each position and two mentors with whom we communicate and meet weekly. They recognize that some of us have limited experience in the field, so they make sure we’re never alone and provide us with the necessary support.

Initially, I felt intimidated by my role, but luckily, I had a partner who joined me as a strategist. They assisted me in brainstorming ideas. We scheduled meetings and worked together to bring our ideas to fruition. Having someone willing to sit down, listen to my jumbled thoughts, and help construct theories was valuable.

Many people often claim that taking an unpaid summer internship is a terrible choice, insisting it’s draining and a waste of time. However, it was a pivotal moment in my career as a designer. It was the first time I seriously considered a non-paid summer internship, which was significant for my professional growth. This experience has greatly expanded my network, granting me numerous opportunities to connect with professionals in the industry. Additionally, I had the privilege of collaborating with highly skilled individuals and working with clients who have significantly enhanced my growth as a designer.

Entering the world of advertising and marketing, I became a strategist for the first time. Initially lacking confidence, I persevered through hard work and persistence. Improving my communication skills and fostering effective teamwork became priorities. I realized the value of collaborating with a competent and supportive group rather than struggling alone.

As a strategist, I discovered there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to planning. Each person has a unique strategy. As long as it made sense, I kept the ultimate goal and consistency in mind. However, presenting a clear plan to clients in a way that resonated with them proved to be a challenge.

Working with my team, we effectively shared and combined our ideas to create a clear and concise deck. This experience as a strategist has provided me with valuable skills and ignited my interest in pursuing a career in advertising. As I continue to practice and explore this field, I am gravitating toward a path in advertising.

One thing I learned quickly in this world is that no matter in what field or career someone’s in, there’s always going to be a point when people have to work alongside others and communicate. Being a designer and working in a group in the advertising industry can be an exciting and rewarding experience as well as an exhausting one. In advertising, designers play a crucial role in creating visually appealing and effective communication materials that help convey messages to target audiences.

Designers often collaborate with copywriters, art directors, account executives, and clients. Working in a group allows designers to exchange ideas, gather different perspectives, and leverage each team member’s diverse skills and expertise. Collaboration helps ensure the final design solutions are comprehensive, impactful, and aligned with the campaign objectives.

In my design team class, we organized ourselves into groups based on our strengths and assigned specific roles to ensure the project’s success. We worked on three distinct client projects and created a comprehensive pitch deck.

In our design class, the professor divided us into groups of three. Throughout the course, we worked on three different client projects. The first project involved rebranding the client’s logo and revamping their website. For the second client, we focused on constructing and designing a brochure. Lastly, our third project involved rebuilding the client’s website and creating a banner. Fortunately, a motivated team member worked alongside me on all three projects. We communicated and collaborated using Discord, commonly known for gaming but proved an effective business tool.

In general, the class is a success. In the past, I have not enjoyed working in groups due to previous experiences where I did most of the work while having lazy teammates. However, I’m having a great time collaborating with motivated and talented individuals for my internship.

Since our internship is conducted remotely, the main modes of communication are Zoom and Slack. During our official orientation meeting, the internship team provided a PDF file containing the June, July, and August calendar. This document serves as a blueprint outlining the tasks and responsibilities assigned to each group.

Our official meetings with everyone take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The schedule varies each week based on the calendar, and the majority of our work is carried out through offline collaboration or within team meetings.

After our central meetings, we as a team like to come together and write a timeline of what tasks are due for the following week. Since we are doing a campaign for the client, the first step in the creative process is ensuring we have constructed a successful strategy, so my partner and I set up meetings to lay out a format to present our ideas in a way that the client would understand. Then, we work with the art directors to develop concepts and video ideas.

Each week will bring about variations, and our tasks will change periodically. However, it is crucial that everyone contributes to this significant project and maintains a strong connection with the client.

Ever since the pandemic hit, remote work has become the new normal for many people in different companies, including myself. As a resident of Texas, I have been able to work and attend classes from the comfort of my own home. This semester marks my first fully remote experience with advantages and disadvantages.

Now, for my internship, the situation is quite similar, except that I am now in a professional working environment. Having such a motivating and enthusiastic team to work with feels like a dream come true. This is my first internship that is entirely remote. Regarding the dress code, we aim to balance formality and informality. Client meetings require professional attire, while workshop meetings are business casual.

All our meetings take place on Zoom, and we set aside two days a week specifically for discussions with the moderators and the rest of the team. It’s usually two hours. We schedule other necessary conferences throughout the week or even on weekends, collaborating as a cohesive team. The flexibility of online classes and the remote internship has saved me considerable time, as I no longer have to worry about commuting interfering with my work or assignment completion. Zoom has proven to be an easy and convenient tool, allowing us to quickly exchange information from wherever we may be.

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I am currently participating in an internship where I am part of a team assigned to work with a nonprofit organization. Our objective is to develop a campaign for their company. Our team has different roles: Account Management, Project Management, Strategists, Copywriter, Production, and Art Direction. As a Strategist, my primary responsibilities involve researching, creating impactful strategies, contributing to brand development, collaborating with the creative team, and measuring campaign performance. I also make sure to stay updated on industry trends to ensure the success of our marketing efforts.

This internship provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group and support nonprofits in positively impacting the community. Initially, I hadn’t planned on pursuing an internship for the summer. However, when this opportunity arose, I decided to seize it. I learned about the program through my professor, who invited representatives to our campus to discuss and enroll. I completed the application and received an email shortly after to schedule a Zoom interview. The group interview was engaging and had a relaxed atmosphere.

The organization’s founder asked intriguing questions, such as who we would invite to dinner and how we would rate our communication skills. These questions were aimed at assessing our compatibility with the team. Following the interview, I was informed I would receive a response by the following week. To my delight, I received an email inviting me to join their team. This was especially exciting as it was the only interview I had lined up for the summer.

During the hiring process, I was required to create an introduction slide about myself and provide a head-to-shoulder picture. I also completed a form and survey to be matched with two mentors who will support me throughout the project. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the team and establishing new connections through this experience.

This semester, I have the privilege of interning with a public, nonprofit organization that is a dynamic platform for fostering connection, collaboration, and growth among people of color in the advertising industry. It is a much-needed space that acknowledges and addresses the challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds who often feel marginalized or overlooked within the industry. Within this platform, people of color can find a sense of strength and community and valuable inspiration for their journeys in advertising.

The organization stands as a central hub, specifically catering to the needs of underrepresented professionals in advertising, marketing, media, and public relations. One of their remarkable initiatives focuses on the growth and development of young individuals in underserved communities. Through this program, they strive to provide essential resources such as access to education, mentorship, internships, and scholarships. Additionally, they offer valuable professional development opportunities through workshops and training sessions.

They have developed a unique program where members and special guests within this program share their expertise and teach essential lessons. Participants in the program have the unique opportunity to apply these lessons by creating branding solutions for a real-life nonprofit client. This practical experience helps them develop their skills and equips them with the ability to adapt to the new world that emerged after the coronavirus pandemic.

This nonprofit organization empowers individuals of color within the advertising industry. By providing a supportive space, access to resources, and growth opportunities, they are actively working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable landscape in advertising.

Divided into two teams, each member assumes a specific role. In my case, I am the Strategist, while other positions include Account Management, Art Director, Copywriter, Production, and Project Management. We all work together to build a campaign for our client.

They have successfully produced ten televised commercials for nonprofit organizations. Their alumni network consists of one hundred twenty members from around the world. These commercials have garnered a remarkable 20 million impressions, reaching a broad audience. Furthermore, their efforts have raised $500 worth of free media for these nonprofit causes.

After researching the nonprofit organization through its website and social media, I found an article that interviewed the organization’s founder of the organization. The article “Why did the nonprofit run a mentorship program to help people 40-plus get back into advertising,” Discuss the ageism problem in the advertising industry, particularly for professionals over 40. To address this issue, a mentorship program was developed for individuals over 40 in advertising. The program lasted 12 weeks and paired mentees with junior and senior mentors from various agencies and brands.

The program aimed to boost the mentees’ chances of getting hired. Mentees received guidance, advice, and different perspectives from their mentors throughout the program. Weekly check-ins provided additional support. The program resulted in increased confidence and improved job prospects for the mentees. Following the program, the mentees are now interviewing at agencies, pursuing creative certifications, and seeking internships and residencies to strengthen their portfolios.

They will also receive executive coaching sessions funded by the program to support their job search and professional development further.
The article emphasizes the importance of mentoring and encourages the advertising industry to reconsider ageist hiring practices. It highlights the value individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences can bring to the industry. The mentorship program aims to bridge the gap and provide opportunities for professionals over 40 to succeed in advertising.

References:

• Monllos, Kristina. “Why 100 Roses from Concrete Ran a Mentorship Program to Help People 40-plus Get Back into Advertising.” Digiday, 18 Apr. 2022, digiday.com/marketing/why-100-roses-from-concrete-ran-a-mentorship-program-to-help-people-40-plus-get-back-into-advertising/.
• “Growth Initiative.” 100 Roses From Concr, www.100rosesfromconcrete.com/growth-initiative. Accessed 13 June 2023.

2A. AIGA’s Business Ethics in Design is a helpful resource for designers in various fields. It has taught me important things to think about when working on projects, making me more aware and knowledgeable. This resource has given me the tools to handle ethical challenges and make intelligent choices during the design process. At the start of my career as a designer, in the first few classes, I quickly learned what not to do when using photos. I would randomly pick images from Google for my classwork.

I wasn’t aware of any resources or public domain platforms such as Freepik, Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels. However, the school provides an excellent opportunity to make these mistakes and learn extensively about copyright usage. It’s a valuable learning experience to understand how to utilize resources and respect copyright laws properly.

Copyright protects original creative works in communication design, including logos, illustrations, photographs, graphics, and written content. It grants designers exclusive rights over their creations, preventing others from using, copying, or reproducing their work without permission.

According to AIGA Business Ethics Guide to Copyright, When you purchase artwork, you typically acquire the physical piece itself but not necessarily the copyright to reproduce or distribute it. The artist may grant you certain usage rights along with the purchase, such as the right to display the artwork in your home or personal space. However, it is essential to clarify the scope of these rights, as they may not include commercial usage or reproduction without explicit permission.

In Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients, Fair use in copyright is when the artwork is used without asking for the owner’s permission. It only applies for non-commercial, transformative, educational, and parody purposes.

References:

1. “Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients.” Unlimited Graphic Design Service, 7 Feb. 2023, penji.co/graphic-design-copyright/.
2. Richard, Grefe. “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. PDF. New York City, 2001

2B. Shepard Fairey is a well-known street artist who gained significant attention for his iconic “Hope” poster featuring Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. The sign became a symbol of Obama’s campaign and was widely circulated. Shepard Fairey has been involved in legal disputes about creating the “Hope” poster.

The controversy stems from using an Associated Press (AP) photograph as the basis for the poster without obtaining proper permission or licensing. I’m a little torn between the argument that Fairey’s poster has a powerful artistic expression and a significant contribution to the political landscape and Fairey’s use of the AP photograph without permission infringes on copyright laws and undermines the rights of the original photographer. He could easily avoided this issue, but giving credit to the photographer and paying the fees.

Fairey showed disrespect for the photographer by first saying the image was different but later admitting it was a mistake he tried to hide. Photographers have a career focused on capturing and creating visual images. They are essential in journalism, fashion, advertising, and fine arts industries. Since Fairey is a designer, he should have known about image copyright laws.

References:

1. “Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients.” Unlimited Graphic Design Service, 7 Feb. 2023, penji.co/graphic-design-copyright/.
2. Richard, Grefe. “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. PDF. New York City, 2001
3. Things Every Designer Should Know about Intellectual Property …, 99designs.com/blog/design-resources/copyright-infringement/. Accessed 9 June 2023.