Youth Designer: Emily Navarro Week 1
My first week at my job was something new for me; it changed how I see myself as a Youth Designer. I learned a lot in only a week. I was given tasks that challenged and pushed me to do better every day. I learned how to work with Indesign and Photoshop much more successfully than the first day I was introduced to them. I was surprised to discover that I was assigned my own desk, computer, phone and privacy. I had to get used to everyone being in his or her cubical. My previous work environment was much more interactive, a bit louder, ranged in age groups and had more diversity. But I jumped over that bridge and realized that every work place is different and I would have to adapt. Now, I’m more comfortable. I have privacy and feel like what I am doing is important. The expectations for my work at Girls Scouts are high and I like it because I feel busier and independent. I was looking forward to seeing the Girl Scouts but they are at camp now. I also wanted to see how they produce the cookies. But it’s fine; hopefully soon I can come across a Girl Scout because I’ve never actually met one in my life.
Emily Rose Navarro, Youth Design Class of 2012
Julie Choquette, Mentor, Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass.
Youth Designer: Abraham Nyei Week 1
This is a picture I took of Kaba, my mentor Islam’s dog. Kaba makes our workday even more fun. When we are not sitting in front of the computer we are playing with her.
Hello my name is Abraham Nyei, and I’m working at IDEO this summer with, Shirley Fang, another Youth Design intern. Together the both of us have grown to love it. I’m very excited because it’s exactly what I expected it to be.
I am surrounded by innovative thinkers and it’s one of the best summer experiences I have ever had. I’m only one week in and I’m already sitting in on boards meetings and discussing ideas for projects. I’m excited to come to work every day and I’m learning a lot about design.
I’m becoming more passionate about design. I’m really growing from studying design and working on it every day. I even design after work.
I love my summer internship this year. I feel and see a lot of growth within myself and it is has only been a week. At ideo I’m an Industrial Designer. I’m hoping to further pursue Industrial Design in the future. My dream is to be an Automotive Designer. I have learned that it doesn’t just take one designer to build the whole car; it is the collective effort of teamwork that gets the work done. I’m glad to be working with the great team at Ideo. I’m learning a lot and heading back to my senior year in high school knowing what I want to study in college.
Abraham Nyei, Youth Design Class of 2011-2012
Islam Elsedoudi, Mentor, IDEO
Thursday Morning Workshop: Kirkwood
For our third Thursday Morning Workshop of 2012 the Youth Designers took a trip to a state-of-the-art printing facility, Kirkwood.
They were given a tour of the cutting edge printing technology by the knowledgable staff of Kirkwood.
We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the staff of Kirkwood for taking time out of their busy schedules to give us a tour and to everyone who helped make this Thursday Morning Workshop a great one.
Youth Designer: Shirley Fang Week 1
Within a week, IDEO has become my new comfort place, my place to create funny cute storyboards like this:
This was my depiction of the extreme awesomeness that happened on my first day, starring the infamous Shirley Fang and the cunning Abraham Nyei.
Everyday I can feel how calm and relaxed the atmosphere is at Ideo. The designers are not only concerned about the work itself but also about the mood. Even as a newcomer, I can feel the freedom.
On my second day, there was a group gathering to distribute and share the current status of the upcoming, current, and completed projects. It was well organized and informative; also, both Abraham and I were able to join some of the projects we were interested in (Confidential information blocked here).
I learned about the art of speech and how essential it is to voice out your ideas coherently. If not, then you won’t learn anything. The designers are open to new ideas as well as new voices, even if you are a high school student working for the summer.
Communication is also a key trait for a designer. Both my mentors, Islam and Jason, emphasized the importance of telling them our interests so that we can make the best out of this experience. Their advice had a positive effect on my attitude towards work and in life. A timid approach to the world is like not eating the best part of the sundae that is evidently available for you. Now I see the world and work as a sundae with unrestricted grounds that just need to be unlocked by me.
Remember, every opportunity is a chance to see another spec of big, big, world. Never let your fears and hesitations get the best of you. One thing I must remember. I look forward to seeing the designers work some magic.
Strangely, I ‘ve never really experimented my potential as a designer until I started working for Youth Design so the word design is really fresh and opens so many closed doors in my art world. On one of my free days, Islam encouraged me to create my own mini book. Daringly, I dove right in without a second to hesitate.
Thanks for reading! I hope that when I visit this again, I have become a new and improved designer.
Shirley Fang, Youth Design Class of 2012
Jason Robinson, Mentor, IDEO
Youth Designer: Maggie Lee Week 1
Three things that shocked/surprised me this week were that my firm is much more corporate than I thought, the other interns were all college/grad school students, and that I actually have SO much to learn!
The environment at my firm is much more business-y than I thought it would be, but the people who work here are actually very very cool, chill, and friendly. They’re all such creative individuals, and despite working in their little cubicles/desks all the time, they all seem to love what they’re doing. It’s amazing what they can draw…so beautiful!
As for my fellow interns: they all seem to know their stuff already because they’ve gone to school for it for almost 10 years. I feel kind of inferior in comparison because all I know is Photoshop, Indesign, and of course drawing/sketching. I found out that you really do need to go to school and learn a lot in order to do architecture.
Despite me getting an internship here, I can’t just jump in and expect myself to be able to help the designer or architect. However, I’ve tried my best to help and I have used my Indesign and Photoshop knowledge a little to prepare for our intern group project. The project is to redesign a pavillion at the Franklin Park Zoo. I was really amazed that we, as interns, would be able to receive such a big project. Though we know that it probably won’t be built (because of the zoo’s lack of funds), we are taking this project on as if it were real. I was also surprised to find out that Gensler is the largest architecture firm in the country (and even the world?).
The first day was a little shaky and quiet, but as the week went on, I got much more comfortable and warmed up to my fellow interns and co-workers. I look forward to getting to know these people even more and learning a lot more about architecture this summer. It’s crazy how this may or may not be me in 10 years (though I do hope it will be).
Who knows where the road will take me?
Maggie Lee, Youth Design Class of 2012
Jeanne Nutt, Mentor, Gensler
Youth Designer: Joseph Soto Week 1
My first week of work was fantastic. I am forever learning new things about software that makes the design process much easier. For example, when working on a brochure I was so used to inputting data by hand and updating the type treatment as I go through the job. I recently learned of Character and Paragraph styles (in Indesign) which makes the design process faster.
These new tools make my time spent more efficient and less tedious. I’m excited that I am still learning the tricks and shortcuts to working on software. Many of the employees here are passionate about Boston Children’s Hospital and feel that the protection of the brand and logo is their primary focus in the Marketing Communications Department.
Joseph Soto, Youth Design Class of 2011-2012
Patrick Bibbons, Mentor, Boston Children’s Hospital
Fawn Gracey, Mentor, Boston Children’s Hospital
Thursday Morning Workshop: ICA
Our second Thursday Morning Workshop took place at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and it was absolutely fantastic. We’d like to thank everyone at the ICA and everyone who came, for making it a spectacular morning.
The morning started off on the grandstand overlooking the harbor, Youth Designers sat on the steps as Denise and Nikki Korn (Principal, Cause Consulting) started off the morning with a few words. Several Youth Designers stood up and shared how they’re progressing with their ideas for 2012 Youth Designers Take Action Design Competition and everyone had a short dialogue giving advice and discussing the process of creating a design for a cause.
Youth Designers were then split into 3 groups and led on a guided tour of the various exhibits on display at the ICA. Youth Designers were shown the permanent collection which included various photographic works, sculpture, and installations. They were then led to see the exhibition on view, titled “Some Pictures of the Infinite” by Josiah Mcehlheny. It was a really great experience for everyone and Youth Designers sparked some very insightful and thoughtful discussions with tour guides about the art and the message that it presented.
After the tour the 3 groups congregated in the Art Lab for an hour long meeting and general discussion. A few representatives of the ICA talked about teen programs available at the ICA. Following the ICA’s presentation Denise took the stage and led a discussion with Youth Designers about their experiences at their internships so far. Youth Designers were invited to stand up and speak about their experience so far, how their expectations compare to the real thing, and anything else they wanted to reflect upon. It was a really great discussion with lots of sharing and several Youth Designers who are in the program for their second year gave advice around dealing with struggles at work and how to be as efficient as possible.
It was a magnificent morning, and again, we would like to give a huge THANK YOU to the ICA and everyone else who came to help. We are looking forward to the future Thursday Morning Workshops and the amazing experiences they will bring.
Thursday Morning Workshop: Digitas
Youth Design Class of 2012′s first Thursday Morning Workshop at Digitawas absolutely amazing! It was an enjoyable experience for everyone and we’d like to give Digitas and all who helped out a huge THANK YOU for the wonderful time.
The day started off with a welcome from Rob Rizzo, Executive Creative Director at Digitas. He discussed his role within the company, what it entails, and how it’s different from the job of a Designer.
Youth Designers then split into two groups and went on a tour of the building, one group was led by Shannon O’Brien, Associate Resource Allocation and the other by Quinnton Harris, Associate Art Director. The Youth Designers were led through various floors of the building and introduced to a variety of people who all play different roles within the company.
After this general tour Youth Designers were led into the Mobile Lounge which is a room that showcases how Digitas uses cutting-edge mobile technology paired with great design to create applications and products for clients that promote brand awareness and leave an impression on the consumer. Augmented Reality, QR Code Utilization were just a couple of the technologies showcased in the Mobile Lounge.
Next was the Always On Room, which was created exclusively for one of Digitas’ clients. The room contains 6 flat displays all connected on the wall containing various social media websites and news sites. This set-up allows Digitas to implement advertising campaigns across various social media platforms in real time as well as respond to relevant trends and news topics related to their clients’ brand.
The two groups then reconvened in the Conference room for a Creative Panel, which was the last activity of the day. There was a presentation from several employees of Digitas who spoke to their pathway to pursuing design as a career, their current positions at Digitas, as well as providing words of wisdom and advice to the Youth Designers. This was followed by an engaging Q&A session during which, Youth Designers were given the chance to ask the presenters anything they were curious about. Many insightful questions were asked which sparked a very interesting and informative dialogue between Youth Designers and these incredible design professionals from Digitas.
With that, the great morning at Digitas came to an end. Youth Designers then headed back to their respective firms to continue their workday.
Youth Designer: Francis Masa Week 1
334 Boylston Street. This is where I’ve been going 9:30 AM every morning and it’s very much worth the early morning 40 minute trek I take to get here. My first week at the Karmaloop offices was an awesome experience that I hope maybe one day I can turn into a part time job. I’ve been doing a lot of busy work. Usually at a normal office job, busy work involves filing paper and answering calls, but not here! This week I steamed straightened clothes before photoshoots, helped label new merchandise, and edit display shots that were uploaded on the site. But I’m excited for the design projects that are going to come up in the future. The first thing that caught my attention was the awesome art that surrounds the office spaces. The desks are covered with stickers and there are some awesome pieces found on the walls. Also, there’s a conference room with an entire wall done by Shepard Fairey himself! Another thing that I enjoy here is the people. They’re all so very down to earth and friendly. I hope I can move up in the ranks from intern to worker some day.
Francis Masa, Youth Design Class of 2012
Jackie Earhart, Mentor, Karmaloop
Youth Designer: Ena Kantardzic Week 1
On the morning of July 9, 2012 I did not expect much, or at least I tried not to. I did not want to get nervous, so I was just going to take everything as is. I only hoped that I would actually get to design and put my very little skills to work rather than doing grunt work. But, again, I tried not to set expectations.
Boy, was I excited though! Ever since last summer at Children’s Hospital Boston, design was all fun to me, despite any stress from projects. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could not wait for what was in store for me.
What was in store for me was overwhelming—I was so out of tune with InDesign and Photoshop, and my mentor Eric really tested my knowledge. So, the first day of work I was stuck doing grunt work to figure out on my own. Things picked up on the second day and I got to actually start designing something—it was just a handout about digital art. It’s still not done. My mentor decided to give me no limitations with what I could do with the design. But what I thought was pretty good, Eric ripped apart and showed me other better possibilities for it. It didn’t bother me at all, and in fact, I’m thankful and not offended. This way I’m really going to learn a lot, and that’s really what I’m looking forward to—learning. This summer I really want to hone in on my skills and keep developing as a designer and artist, and I think HUP is a great place for that. From the first week at work, I feel that this is going to require a lot of hard work on my end.
Well, keep it coming, Harvard University Press! The summer has only begun, and Friday marked my first book jacket design. I’m eager for more.
Ena Kantardzic, Youth Design Class of 2011-2012
Eric Mulder, Mentor, Harvard University Press