Sumit Joshi's ePortfolio

The main purpose of the internship is to gain experience and knowledge. I believe that I have achieved that in my internship at the organization. Working with the organization helped me gain more confidence as a designer. Stepping into the job world was scary but with the right people, I had an amazing time. I learned how to have proper time management, be organized, and take responsibility. Another important thing I learned is how to communicate properly. The different tools I used gave me a taste of what the real world of design looks like.

As this internship was in person, I had a chance to meet many great designers and individuals. Out of everyone, I really got close with my supervisor. My supervisor is a very kind and direct person. I admire his attention to detail. He is also a designer and was a pleasure to see how his brain worked creatively. Even though I was an unpaid intern, he gave me the same level of respect that he would give to a senior employee. He appreciated my work and was great at giving constructive criticism.

While designing for the organization, I came up with a personal process and routine I followed for my projects. We used Microsoft Teams as our software for communication. At the beginning of the week, my supervisor would make a task list for the week for me. I would see what projects I have been assigned. I would take the first few days to find inspiration and sketch ideas for the project. I would keep a journal with me which let me sketch anywhere at any time. I would also talk to the other designers on my team and get their input. After I felt I had enough ideas, I would meet up with my supervisor and explain to him the vision for the project. We would go back and forth several times before we decide on a concrete idea. After the vision was final, I would go on to create the design digitally. There would be some changes that would happen while I was executing the design. After I was done with a draft, I would send it to my supervisor who would send me his comments. After resolving the comments, the final design would be ready.

I was able to use the skills and techniques I learned during my classes at Citytech to be provocative and creative, and most importantly, communicative. The organization has opened up a cafe and gift shop at its temple in New Jersey. The facility is built with modern and traditional architectural features. The organization’s goal is to reach out to the non-Hindu American population as well as the younger generation of Hindus. Using graphic techniques, I am able to add a modern touch to my designs, as this is what the organization requested. I am responsible for the creation of banners and videos that would help promote the gift shop and cafe. I am also responsible for designing a user interface for the kiosk ordering system at the cafe.

I was lucky enough to work in person at the organization’s headquarters in New Jersey. Working in person, allowed me to get a true feeling of the company’s work environment and get to know some of my coworkers on a more personal level. My supervisor kept us on track with weekly meetings where we discussed projects, team member assignments, and what is happening around campus.

This semester, I am working for a nonprofit organization whose goal is to improve society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service. The organization advocates a life based on spiritual progression. The objective behind all of its activities is to become closer to God, one step at a time. The benefits of taking such steps are apparent upon further examination: mental stability, peace of mind, reduction of stress, and, most importantly, lasting happiness. Spirituality is not an activity or a program; it is a way of life. As Hindus, followers of the organization integrate this belief through the different stages of life. The organization facilitates this way of life for millions of Hindus around the world at its 3,850 centers and 1100 mandirs(temples).

The organization also participates in humanitarian services. It addresses real problems with real solutions, providing practical solutions to the global issues facing education, the environment, and healthcare.

The organization is rooted in Indian culture and embraces the notion that Indians do not simply live life, they celebrate it. As part of that lifelong celebration, it honors the rich culture and heritage of India through various initiatives.

When using other people’s work in your design, you must always credit the creator of the image. It is illegal to use another person’s artwork without crediting them or providing their website or any other information about them. You can face court orders or fines for not giving proper credit to others (which can escalate into serious legal actions). This is why I always source images from other creators when using them in my designs.

The article I’ve read by E. O’Connell mentions that employees should understand the company’s expectations from them before signing the employment agreement. After reading this, I have some new understandings about signing an employment agreement. The first is the intention of the employer. Signing such an agreement is not only about some conditions and benefits that the company promises to employees, but it is also about building a work relationship between the company and the employee that will define how your role will be in the organization. At the same time, it is a bilateral contract and may be negotiated. It is binding on both parties and is not changed after it was signed unless there are disagreements or misunderstandings expressed by both sides clearly in advance.

I am working for a nonprofit organization. When it comes to using images all sources of images I am using are created in-house by the organization. If I have a need for a specific image that the organization does not have available, I can request my manager to purchase the image file from an online freelancing service.

I did not sign a non-disclosure agreement for the internship at all. All of the work that is being made is coming from the company’s sources (trademark and logo usage) as well as other companies that I use for research and resources.