Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900

During my fall semester internship, I joined a startup production company in New Jersey specializing in photography, video, and concert production. This private and profitable company provided a rich learning environment. The interview process involved showcasing my skills in photography, video production, and editing directly to the company director.

After being hired, I was involved in a diverse range of tasks, both online and in person. This experience allowed me to directly engage with clients, develop effective time management skills, collaborate with a team, and produce a substantial amount of work. The hands-on nature of the internship provided invaluable insights into the dynamics of the production industry and enhanced my practical skills in photography and video editing.

Learning from Professor Stella

In the concluding part of this course, I gained valuable insights from Professor Stella. Widely regarded as an encyclopedia of knowledge, Professor Stella provided a wealth of information and purposeful materials. Her expertise proved instrumental in equipping us with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the labor

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous benefits of internships, emphasizing their significant contributions to personal and professional development. Here are the brief highlights:

Development of Skills:

Internships serve as a training ground for acquiring and honing new skills. From technical proficiencies to soft skills, the hands-on experience gained is invaluable for future professions.

Enhanced CV:

Participation in internships enriches one’s CV, making it more appealing to employers. The diverse experiences and skills acquired become a testament to one’s readiness for the professional world.

Networking Opportunities:

Internships provide a platform to connect with industry experts, potentially leading to future employment opportunities. Building a network during internships is crucial for career growth.

Insider Knowledge:

Interns gain firsthand insight into the workings of their chosen industry. This insider knowledge proves instrumental in making informed career decisions and understanding the dynamics of the sector.

Business Rules and Etiquette:

Internships offer exposure to business rules, professional etiquette, and office culture. This exposure is essential for success in a professional setting, providing a practical understanding of workplace dynamics.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

Internships foster collaboration and teamwork abilities, qualities highly valued by companies. The experience of working in a team setting enhances interpersonal skills.

Time Management:

Balancing internship obligations with other activities hones time management skills. Interns learn to efficiently allocate time to various tasks, a crucial skill for any professional.

Professional Growth:

Internships provide an opportunity for continuous professional growth. The exposure and experiences gained contribute to becoming a more well-rounded and capable employee.

Expectations for My Internship:

Internships, for me, represent an opportunity to gain profound insights into my chosen field. It’s a chance to witness and navigate real-world challenges, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Additionally, the practical exposure gained during internships significantly strengthens my CV, demonstrating early exposure and readiness to future employers.

The Evolving Landscape of Photography Work:

Despite the proximity of my photography work, the transition to remote work as a photo editor has brought about notable changes. While the essence of my work remains, the shift to virtual customer interactions presents both advantages and challenges. Time management becomes crucial, and the virtual setting offers benefits such as saving time and accommodating clients with social phobias. However, challenges include a monotonous routine, prolonged periods of inactivity, and communication hurdles in disorganized management.

AI’s Impact on Labor and Design:

AI in Various Industries:

AI, including ChatGPT, has the potential to automate labor in diverse industries. However, the distinctive attributes of human employees, such as specialized knowledge, critical analysis, and human judgment, remain irreplaceable in fields like legal, financial, accounting, media, technology, and education.

AI in Graphic Design:

The benefits of AI in graphic design include rapid picture editing, layout optimization, and pattern design. While AI streamlines the process, challenges such as a learning curve and a lack of customization exist. They are balancing AI with the human touch resulting in creative and eye-catching designs.

Ethical Considerations in Graphic Design:

Graphic designers face moral decisions regarding client selection, advertising integrity, and cultural sensitivity. Upholding ethical standards in design, including avoiding deceptive advertising and considering cultural variations, fosters trust, cooperation, and a positive professional reputation.

Understanding Intellectual Property:

Copyright:

Copyright protects original creative works, including software, music, artwork, and books. It ensures authors’ exclusive rights, fostering innovation and creativity while resolving intellectual property disputes.

Trademark:

Trademarks protect brand symbols like names, logos, and slogans, ensuring recognition and trust in products or services.

Patents:

Patents safeguard new ideas and inventions, granting inventors exclusive rights for a specified period, and encouraging innovation.

Insights into Freelance Work:

Understanding the legal aspects of freelance work is crucial. A User Agreement forms the basis, transferring all rights, including copyright, to the client upon payment. Both parties acknowledge the ownership of intellectual property rights. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act in New York City outlines protections for freelance workers, emphasizing fair payment practices and providing a procedure for complaint resolution.

The Significance of Salary Negotiation:

Salary negotiation is a vital aspect of professional growth. Tools like Glassdoor’s Know Your Worth help estimate fair compensation. Effective negotiation tactics include providing evidence of achievements, being assertive, and considering additional perks.

Moral Choices in Graphic Design:

Graphic designers face ethical dilemmas in client selection and advertising integrity. Considering personal values and cultural diversity is essential for creating respectful and inclusive designs. Upholding ethical standards promotes trust, cooperation, and long-term success in the design industry.

Importance of Office Etiquette:

Maintaining office etiquette and good manners is crucial for a positive work atmosphere. Disruptive behavior can adversely affect morale and productivity. we should value of being on time, minimizing distractions, and respecting personal space to create a conducive work environment.

Ongoing Self-Evaluation and Bargaining:

Continual self-evaluation is vital for professional growth. Bargaining for just pay, providing evidence of accomplishments, and choosing the right moment for negotiation contribute to a successful career.
This comprehensive overview touches on various aspects of internships, AI’s impact on labor and design, ethical considerations in graphic design, understanding intellectual property, insights into freelance work, transitioning from graduation to the design workforce, the significance of salary negotiation, moral choices in graphic design, and the importance of office etiquette. Each topic provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of the professional world.

Final presentation

Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900

Photo editing projects involve a variety of creative endeavors aimed at enhancing, manipulating, or transforming images to achieve specific visual outcomes. These projects often use professional photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Common projects include retouching and restoration, color correction and enhancement, portrait editing, composite imaging, product photography enhancement, creative effects and filters, photo manipulation, collages and montages, social media content creation, and event photography editing.

Retouching and restoration involve repairing old or damaged photographs, removing blemishes, and restoring faded colors to preserve cherished memories. Color correction and enhancement adjust color balance, saturation, and contrast to enhance the overall vibrancy and visual appeal of an image. Portrait editing refines portraits by smoothing skin tones, removing imperfections, and enhancing facial features for a polished and professional look. Composite imaging creates surreal or fantasy scenes, often used in advertising or artistic projects. Product photography enhancement optimizes images for e-commerce platforms, while creative effects and filters evoke specific moods or styles. Social media content creation tailors images for social media platforms, and event photography editing post-processes photographs to capture and enhance key moments.

 Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900

I am Sahar, fueled by a profound love for photography. The impetus for my immersion into this visual art form arose from the aftermath of a war that left my home and city in ruins, compelling me to depart from our country. Years ago, I embarked on the journey of photography initially as a hobby, a clandestine passion concealed from the societal norms ingrained in our culture.

In our society, girls are expected to pursue esteemed professions like medicine or education. Photography, deemed a worldly pursuit, diverges from these conventional norms. Consequently, I opted to shroud my burgeoning passion in secrecy, a silent rebellion against societal expectations.

In my public life, reticence defines me. The act of speaking triggers palpable nervousness, inducing tremors and mental lapses, rendering expression through words a formidable challenge. This ongoing struggle has inflicted psychological pain. Paradoxically, within the realm of silence, I discovered strength — the ability to articulate emotions through the language of the eyes.

Photography emerged as my silent narrative, a mode of communication allowing the conveyance of ideas, meanings, and feelings without the constraints of spoken words. It became evident that in the visual realm, I unearthed a voice transcending the limitations of speech, providing profound solace and a medium through which genuine self-expression could flourish.”

some of my work through this semester.

Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900 

In recent days, my work has taken an unexpected turn as my manager and his brother were involved in a car accident. The resulting emotional strain has made my responsibilities more challenging. Despite these difficulties, my engagement with clients has intensified. This involves not only responding to inquiries and concerns but also encompasses various aspects of advertising, delivering finished work, creating albums, and orchestrating social media marketing pieces.

Ethical Considerations in Graphic Design

1. Balancing Professional Obligations and Personal Values

When it comes to choosing clients and engaging in advertising, graphic artists face significant moral decisions. The challenge lies in balancing professional obligations with personal values, emphasizing the importance of personal honesty. Aesthetic appeal in commercials brings forth ethical difficulties, such as deceptive advertising, adding another layer of complexity.

2. Cultural Sensitivity

Graphic designers must navigate cultural variations to avoid unintended offense. This underscores the moral need to produce respectful and inclusive designs. Emphasizing cultural diversity and context becomes crucial in decision-making regarding client selection, advertising integrity, and cultural sensitivity.

3. Upholding Ethical Design for Trust and Success

Designers are confronted with the choice of spreading false information or upholding their ethical duty to protect the veracity and authenticity of their messaging. Ethical design, therefore, becomes a cornerstone in the industry, promoting trust and cooperation among stakeholders. Upholding ethical standards enhances professional reputation, personal satisfaction, and career longevity.

4. Legal Compliance

Legal compliance is an integral aspect of ethical design, ensuring clients avoid legal problems related to plagiarism or copyright violation. Ethical designers are dedicated to producing high-quality work, fostering successful marketing campaigns, increased client engagement, and overall business success.

In conclusion, the challenges posed by personal circumstances, combined with ethical considerations in graphic design, illuminate the need for designers to navigate a complex landscape. Striking a balance between professional obligations, personal values, and ethical principles is paramount for sustained success in the dynamic field of graphic design.

Ethical Issues in the Graphic Design Business

Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900 

This week, my tasks included editing photos using Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. The director asked me to apply my unique editing style, characterized by light and vibrant colors. Embracing this opportunity, I infused the images with a lively atmosphere, enhancing their visual appeal and capturing the essence of the moments captured through my lens.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2014/04/07/office-etiquette-tips-to-overcome-bad-manners-at-work/?sh=6fa729244a37

Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900 

My wedding photography business is based on the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) principles. These rules offer the fundamental precepts for moral, competent, and legally compliant services. I carefully respect intellectual property rights and copyright laws. I incorporate other people’s work only after getting the necessary licenses and permissions and by using my own original work whenever feasible.

When it comes to wedding photography, informed consent is crucial since it protects the privacy of those who may be photographed in the background. Since it fosters confidence and enables consumers to comprehend the moral guidelines I follow, open and honest communication is essential.

Capturing visually appealing events while maintaining cultural context requires sensitivity to cultural differences. I make sure that my photography respects the traditions and customs of my customers and their families by paying attention to their cultural origins.

My wedding photography also requires careful editing and retouching. I focus on enhancing photographs to highlight their inherent beauty rather than over-retouching them to produce wildly inaccurate or deceptive depictions of people’s features.

An additional crucial component of my wedding photography business is data protection for clients. I protect their privacy and make sure that their information is not misused by using secure techniques for data transport and storage. In addition to offering my clients aesthetically great images, I also provide them with a professional, ethical, and courteous service that truly and ethically captures their special day by adhering to the AIGA code.

2B Since it started design, or edit photos I have never used another person’s creative work without giving proper credit. I firmly believe in respecting intellectual property and acknowledging the efforts of fellow artists. In all my projects, whether academic or personal, I have made it a point to provide appropriate attribution whenever I have used someone else’s work or ideas. This includes citing sources, crediting artists, and following the required citation styles to ensure that their contributions are duly recognized. Proper crediting not only upholds ethical standards but also promotes a culture of respect and collaboration in the creative community.

Upon the articles my perspective in Ethical Self-Awareness:enables people to see their own biases, attitudes, and beliefs, ethical self-awareness is essential for making moral decisions. It entails continuously considering one’s moral compass and guiding principles to make sure that choices are consistent with one’s essential beliefs. Comprehending many ethical viewpoints and ideas is crucial, as it expands one’s comprehension of ethics and strengthens empathy. Understanding ethical problems in a variety of settings is essential for properly resolving them.

Additionally, as it guarantees justice, fairness, and honesty, applying ethical principles to real-life situations is essential. Forming informed judgments and making ethical decisions based on reasoned judgment are facilitated by evaluating many ethical perspectives with a critical mentality. Because ethical frameworks can change and adapt to new cultural norms and values, it is crucial to continue evaluating them.

To summarise, my understanding of ethical awareness entails ongoing introspection, a readiness to consider different points of view, astute identification of moral dilemmas, careful adherence to moral standards, and critical assessment of different ethical theories. I try to balance these components in order to make ethical decisions with integrity, empathy, and thoughtfulness.

Cousins, C. (2014, August 5). Why every designer needs a code of Ethics. Design Shack. https://designshack.net/articles/business-articles/why-every-designer-needs-a-code-of-ethics/ 

Contributor, G. (2021a, August 4). The trend towards authenticity. Digital Photography School. https://digital-photography-school.com/the-trend-towards-authenticity/ 

https://bbhosted.cuny.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-77766252-dt-content-rid-593697321_1/xid-593697321_1

Internship in Communication Design COMD 4900 

During my internship, I delved into the vibrant world of photography, contributing my skills to diverse projects. I passionately lensed portrait sessions, immortalizing the essence of individuals through my camera’s eye. The thrill of capturing special events was a highlight, where each click documented memories in the making.

One of the most enriching aspects was my interaction with clients. Ensuring their expectations were not just met, but consistently exceeded, became my mission. This went beyond technical expertise; it demanded effective communication and professionalism. Building strong connections with clients was not merely a task but an art. Understanding their desires, translating them into visual marvels, and witnessing their satisfaction was incredibly rewarding.

Every click was more than a moment frozen in time; it was a testament to the relationships I built and the stories I told through my lens. This internship was more than a job—it was a journey of creative expression and meaningful connections.

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/7-networking-tips-art-design-students