The Importance of Role Models

“Green Platform Internship – Page 4.” GreenCap Cambodia, GreenCap Cambodia, n.d., https://greencap-cambodia.eu/green-platform/green-platform-intership/page/4/.

During this internship, I am very grateful to my supervisor as well as my coworkers. Not only did she carefully point out the flaws in my designs, but she also provided me with many very effective suggestions to help me continuously improve and enhance my skills. Whenever I encountered problems, she always answered them patiently and provided me with valuable feedback so that I could be more comfortable in the design process. My supervisor’s guidance was not only limited to the technical aspects; she also taught me how to better understand the needs of my clients, how to reflect a balance of creativity and practicality in my designs, and how to maintain efficient and high-quality work standards under time pressure.

In addition, I would like to thank my colleagues who I interned with and who have been the best mentors to me. They were always willing to share their experiences and skills in team projects and actively helped me to solve various challenges. They not only helped me a lot in terms of professional skills, but also set a good example for me in terms of work attitude and teamwork. In the process of working with them, I learned how to communicate and collaborate effectively, how to play to my strengths in the team, and how to keep a positive and open mind when facing challenges.

Through this internship, I not only learned a lot of professional knowledge, but also gained valuable experience in interpersonal relationship and teamwork. This experience has made me realize the importance of a good team and supervisor for personal growth and career development. I feel very fortunate to be able to work and learn in such a supportive and motivating environment. Every day of my internship, I could feel my progress and growth, which not only enhanced my professional competence, but also gave me confidence and anticipation for my future career path.

This internship experience is undoubtedly an important milestone in my career. I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience from it, which will serve as a solid foundation for my future development. I am very grateful to my supervisor and my colleagues for their help and support, which has allowed me to grow and gain a great deal during my internship. This experience has not only given me a deeper understanding of the design industry, but also strengthened my determination to pursue a career in design. I believe that in the future, I will use the gains from this internship as a starting point to continuously pursue excellence and strive to become an even better designer.

Ethics in Design, 2A&B

2A) In past design projects, I did use other people’s creative work. For example, I used a photograph from a well-known photographer in a graphic design project. When using these works, I always make sure to give the artist due acknowledgment. I will clearly cite the source of the work in the citation section of the project and contact the author for permission to use the work if needed. Additionally, I will respect the creativity and labor of the authors by prominently featuring their names and the provenance of their work in the design. This practice not only reflects my professionalism, but also helps maintain the healthy development of the creative industry.

2B) I believe that the Shepard Fairey copyright case has sparked an important discussion about fair use and copyright protection. In this case, Fairey was convicted of copyright infringement after he used an unauthorized photograph to create the “Hope” poster and attempted to conceal that fact. Through studying the AIGA Design and Business Ethics Handbook, I have learned that respecting and adhering to copyright laws is essential for any creative practitioner.

This case made me realize that even within the scope of fair use, as a designer, I must strictly follow the law. At the same time, this case has taught me that honest and transparent behavior is essential in maintaining personal and professional credibility. If Fairey had been honest about the use of the photographs and sought permission from the beginning, the outcome could have been very different. Through this case, I realized that any form of creative borrowing should be done within a legal framework and always with due respect and acknowledgement to the original author. This not only helps to protect the healthy development of the creative industry, but also promotes a more just and equitable creative environment.

Giacobbe, Mark. “What the Obama ‘Hope’ Poster Teaches Us about Copyright Law.” Dean Mead, 17 May 2018, www.deanmead.com/what-the-obama-%E2%80%9Chope%E2%80%9D-poster-teaches-us-about-copyright-law/.

Internship Self-Assessment

Icon. OnlineWebFonts, OnlineWebFonts, n.d., https://www.onlinewebfonts.com/icon/217005/.

During this internship, I had the opportunity to work on the logo design for the REACHE program. Throughout the process, I have not only improved my professional skills, but also applied what I have learned in the classroom in real life projects. Here are some key reflections and takeaways from my internship: During my internship, I was primarily responsible for logo design. I utilized software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to design and modify. From the initial sketches to the final draft, I went through several design iterations, and each feedback allowed me to better understand the client’s needs and continuously improve the design solution.

For the REACHE project, we decided not to use a bird as a logo element. This decision required us to think deeply about creativity. I learned how to give and receive constructive criticism in team discussions and to balance creativity with practical needs in design. During my internship, I worked closely with the other four members of my team. We held weekly team meetings to discuss design direction and progress. I was in charge of designing the presentation, making sure the art direction and typography were perfect. I also assisted the strategist with key questions. These experiences made me realize the importance of teamwork and how to work as an individual within a team.

Through studying AIGA’s Design and Business Ethics Handbook and practicing during this period, I gained a deep understanding of the importance of professional ethics. During the practicum, I strictly adhered to the confidentiality agreement to ensure the confidentiality of the company’s work. I also learned and applied ethical standards regarding the use of images to ensure legal compliance in the use of materials in design.

I consider this internship to be a valuable learning experience where I not only improved my professional skills, but also gained important experience in the areas of ethics, teamwork and practical project management. These experiences will lay a solid foundation for my future career. I am very grateful to my supervisor Stella Nicolaou and internship supervisor Isana for their guidance and support.

Collaboration

“Team Medical Faculty Students or Interns.” VectorStock, VectorStock, n.d., https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/team-medical-faculty-students-or-interns-vector-34283415/.

After the third campaign, our group of designers had an internal discussion. We had an in-depth discussion on how to create an innovative and on-brand logo without using bird elements.

During the discussion, we mainly focused on the following aspects:
Embodiment of the brand’s core values: We revisited the brand’s core values and mission to ensure that the new logo accurately conveyed these messages. We felt that the logo should be able to communicate the uniqueness and professionalism of the brand in a clear and concise manner.

Innovation in design elements: To replace the bird element, we explored a variety of possible design elements and symbols. We considered geometric shapes, abstract patterns, and other natural elements in order to find a design that was both creative and compatible with the brand’s image.

User Feedback Consideration: During the design process, we also considered the feedback and preferences of our target audience. We wanted the new logo to not only be recognized by the client, but also loved by the target audience.
Through this discussion, we have clarified the direction of the design and determined the next step of our work plan. We will continue to work hard to create a logo that is both innovative and in line with the brand’s positioning, ensuring that our design will stand out in the marketplace.

THE THIRD EVENT

“10 Points for New Students Stepping into Internship.” Rethinking the Future, Rethinking the Future, n.d., https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/career-advice/a8863-10-points-for-new-students-stepping-into-internship/.

During the third event, our supervisor had some constructive suggestions for our design. First, she suggested that we eliminate the bird element from the current design. She believes that although the bird element has its own unique symbolism, it fails to fully reflect the core values and innovative spirit of the brand in the current design.
Secondly, she hoped that we could inject more innovative elements. She emphasized that innovation is the key to brand development and can help us stand out in a competitive market. Therefore, she encouraged us to boldly try new creative directions and not to limit ourselves to traditional design ideas.
Our team attaches great importance to our supervisor’s suggestions and will seriously consider and implement them. We believe that through continuous innovation and improvement, we can create even better design works and add new vitality and value to our brand.

The SECOND EVENT

“520.” uOffer Work Blog, uOffer, n.d., https://www.uoffer.com/workblog/520/.

At the second meeting, all five of us presented our logo designs. I think we all did a great job and each design was unique and reflected different ideas and styles. The supervisor spoke highly of our designs and made some constructive suggestions. These suggestions not only helped us improve our existing designs, but also pointed out new directions for our work. Through these meetings, we not only improved our design level, but also enhanced our teamwork and communication skills.

Ethics in Design, 1B

Throughout my internship at Brooklyn College, I did not encounter a requirement to sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement. Despite this, I maintained a strong commitment to confidentiality in all aspects of my design work. I handled sensitive project details with discretion, ensuring proprietary information remained protected and maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders. This dedication to confidentiality extended to my journaling for this class, where I shared insights and reflections without disclosing confidential specifics. This experience reinforced the importance of ethical reasoning in design practice, fostering a commitment to upholding professional standards and building trust in future professional endeavors.

How I GOT MY FIRST INTERNSHIP

“Internship Guide.” Urban Planning Degree, Urban Planning Degree, n.d., https://urbanplanningdegree.com/internship-guide/.

I am happy to share that the internship began with me successfully securing my first internship at Brooklyn college by emailing my resume to my supervisor and interviewing through Zoom. This opportunity was recommended by my professor, who has played a key role in my academic and professional development.

Through a Zoom interview, I had an in-depth conversation and discussion with my internship supervisor. She showed keen interest in my expertise and career goals and provided valuable feedback and guidance. I was impressed with her professionalism and team leadership skills, which deepened my anticipation and confidence in this internship opportunity.

This internship marks an important step in my career, and I will endeavor to learn and grow from my internship at Brooklyn College to build a solid foundation for my future in the design field.

Ethics in Design, 1A

During my internship at Brooklyn College, I applied the ethical guidelines from the AIGA Design and Business Ethics Handbook to our design processes, particularly in image sourcing and the use of the College’s trademarks and logos. Ethical considerations for image sourcing were paramount, ensuring that all images used in our projects were either created in-house, legally licensed, or obtained from reputable sources adhering to copyright laws.

This approach not only respected the intellectual property of creators but also maintained the authenticity and legal compliance of our design outputs. In my role, I meticulously verified the legality and appropriateness of images used across various campaigns and promotional materials to uphold our ethical standards. Additionally, I handled Brooklyn College’s trademarks and logos with meticulous care, ensuring their precise integration and adaptation into design assets. This process required attention to detail to preserve the integrity and visual presentation of these elements while meeting our design objectives.

References:

COMD 4900 Internship

This is a journal blog documenting my entire internship experience. It details how I found this internship, the various tasks I completed during the internship, the new skills I learned, reflections on my progress, and my feelings at the end of the internship. Reflecting on the entire process, I am proud of my progress. I gained a deeper understanding of the design process from conception to final execution. At the end of my internship, I felt both grateful and satisfied that these experiences not only enriched my learning, but also laid a solid foundation for my career.