Before I jump into my internship, I just wanted to quickly introduce myself. I’m a graphic designer intern, fresh out of school, and I love web design and branding.
It has been a month since I began my internship at LeverageIT, and within those 4 weeks, I’ve learned quite a bit. I know there’s still so much more for me to learn, and I cannot wait. The Humber College Graphic Design program is for 3 years, including a summer internship that helps you get work experience. The summer internship portion is what I’m currently doing as a graphic designer intern. This industry is extremely competitive, so it only seems natural now that I would feel scared, nervous, happy, and excited all at the same time. I’m a graphic designer fresh out of school and I love web design and branding.
HOW I GOT MY INTERNSHIP
At the end of the semester, a majority of the design programs have a portfolio night, attended by industry professionals, friends, and family. As a graphic designer intern, it’s a great opportunity to get feedback on your portfolio. This is and was our night to shine, because what better way to find a job than to actually talk to the person who is able to hire you?
This is where I met Ali. Ali is LeverageIT’s creative director and my mentor. Upon meeting him, I was immediately appreciative of him. We went through my portfolio together and he told me what he liked and what he didn’t. Ali who is experienced with website and UI/UX design, gave me a lot of feedback that I did not previously consider. Going to school, I had a big interest in web and app design, but I was unable to receive qualified feedback on my work from someone who is actually experienced in this field until I met Ali.
MY INTERNSHIP
The Start
Coming in, I was extremely excited but at the same time, I had knots in my stomach. I was nervous for many reasons but mainly about making mistakes and fear of not being good enough. I was more excited than nervous but the two emotions would often compete. was excited that I found a digital agency that without me knowing, checked off the things on my list that I was looking for.
What I Wanted vs What They Offered
• I have such a big love and interest for web design and at LeverageIT this is what they do.
• I never considered marketing before but it ended up being something I quite enjoyed after working on a few projects here that involve it.
• I work with a lot of developers and it’s really cool to see a design being brought to life.
• Free coffee. I think this one is self-explanatory, free coffee is the best type of coffee.
• LeverageIT is such a welcoming environment to work in. Working in an environment like this only makes me want to work harder to keep everyone and myself happy.
The Process
As a graphic designer intern, I find it quite challenging. There’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time and expectations are high. So many designers could have applied, and I got it. This is my chance to prove myself. I’m constantly thinking to myself if what I’m doing is okay, are they happy? Do they like it? What can I improve on? What else can I do? Am I doing enough? What do I do if they don’t like it? So many questions ripping through my mind.
And… it’s okay to have questions and especially to ask questions. It’s better to ask questions so both yourself and whoever you’re working with is on the same page. When assuming everything could go wrong a lot of time can be wasted. The people you work with will most likely be very happy to help you out.
The End
Your internship as a graphic designer intern is a great opportunity for you to learn. It’s the best time because you’re not quite a full-time member but you’re not a student either. You’re not treated like a student but you’re still learning and being taught. You’re not just there to learn, you are there to improve and gain experience. You might find that you really enjoy doing something you didn’t consider but took on the challenge anyway.
Going into my internship, I’ve learned a lot and have become so much more curious. I’ve found an interest and liking for marketing, coding, and development. It’s a constant learning process that should never end because you won’t grow as a designer or person. It’s not about perfection but more of your progression. Something I took away from my interview is ‘have a curious mind.’ And even the board room was saying to my face, ‘Stay hungry, stay foolish.’ Always wanting to learn and explore is a good mindset to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a graphic designer intern do at a digital agency?
As a graphic designer intern at a digital agency like LeverageIT, your role involves working on various design projects, including web and app design, branding, and UI/UX design. You will collaborate with developers to bring designs to life, assist with marketing efforts, and gain hands-on experience with design tools and techniques. The internship provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, receive feedback, and improve your skills.
How did you get your graphic designer internship?
I secured my graphic designer internship by attending a portfolio night hosted by my design program at Humber College. This event allowed me to showcase my work to industry professionals, and that’s where I met Ali, the creative director at LeverageIT. After reviewing my portfolio and providing feedback, Ali offered me the internship opportunity, which allowed me to apply my skills and grow in the field.
What challenges did you face as a graphic designer intern?
As a graphic designer intern, one of the biggest challenges I faced was managing the pressure of high expectations. There’s a lot to learn in a short time, and self-doubt often creeps in. I often wondered if my work was good enough and whether I was meeting expectations. But over time, I learned that asking questions and staying open to feedback was key to growing and learning in this role.
How does being a graphic designer intern help with career growth?
Being a graphic designer intern provides hands-on experience that’s invaluable for career growth. You get to work on real-world projects, collaborate with seasoned professionals, and improve your design skills. The feedback you receive helps you identify areas for improvement, and you also have the chance to discover new areas of interest, such as marketing or coding, which could open up additional career paths in design.
What skills should a graphic designer intern have?
A graphic designer intern should have a good understanding of design software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), as well as basic knowledge of web and app design principles. Being open to feedback, having a curiosity-driven mindset, and being willing to learn from others are also important traits. Collaboration skills are essential as you’ll work closely with developers and other team members.
