Interning For a City the Never Sleeps
Summary
Embarking on a Creative Digital Internship at NYC & Company was more than just a step into the professional world; it was a leap into a realm where innovation meets impact, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. This case study unfolds my journey of growth, challenge, and discovery, highlighting transformative experiences from mastering digital prototyping tools to enhancing the city's global image. Dive into a narrative that not only charts the path of personal and professional development but also captures the essence of contributing to a mission as dynamic as the city itself.
Project Details:
Role • Creative Digital Intern
Category • , Re-Branding
Year • 2019
Company
The mission of NYC & Co., which is funded by NYC, is to widen the scope of opportunities for travelers and tourists, encourage the flourishment of economic success, and showcase to the world what America is and, specifically, what New York is. As in many of the most populous cities of the world, finance, insurance, and/or real estate are just some of the many areas that help cities create income; the tourism industry in NYC as elsewhere is another.
Objectives
Enhancing my skills and knowledge in web and app design and development.
Contributing effectively to NYC & Co by evolving into a more versatile and knowledgeable team member.
In pursuit of these goals, I identified and seized four unique opportunities under the umbrella of my role, each designed to broaden my experience and refine my capabilities within the digital creative domain.
Embarking on a Creative Journey:
I started working with the creative team, I was introduced to my first challenge: mastering a digital prototyping software named Sketch. This wasn't just any tool; it was the magic wand that the team wielded to bring digital design dreams to life, especially focused on crafting user interface designs. As a newcomer to the realms of UX/UI and web development, this software was my gateway to understanding and contributing to the team's projects.
Lessons Learned and Paths Forged
This experience was more than just learning how to use a software; it was a journey of growth and discovery. It taught me the importance of self-initiative and the value of perseverance. The skills I honed during this time didn't just enhance my academic pursuits; they were the cornerstone upon which I built my freelance business. This venture took flight after a triumphant win in a class web competition, a victory that would have been unattainable without the lessons learned during my internship.
Today, Sketch remains an indispensable tool in my design arsenal, alongside other software that I've embraced along the way. The journey from a novice intern to a confident designer and entrepreneur is a testament to the transformative power of embracing challenges and the endless possibilities that lie in the pursuit of knowledge and skill.
Thus, my internship with the creative team was not just a chapter in my career but a pivotal saga that shaped my path in the digital design world, teaching me that with the right tools and determination, one can sketch not just designs but their future.
The Quest for Knowledge
My journey began with a steep climb. Sketch, while powerful, was an uncharted territory for me. My initial guide was none other than the vast expanse of the internet, with Google searches serving as my compass. Under the watchful eye of my internship coordinator, I embarked on a self-taught expedition to decipher how websites are constructed from the ground up—how simple shapes like squares, triangles, ellipses, and lines come together to form the buttons and menus that are the building blocks of the digital world.
A Breakthrough
As I delved deeper, my familiarity with Sketch grew, transforming my initial apprehension into exhilaration. The moment of comfort with the software marked a turning point in my internship. I was tasked with a mission that would test my newfound skills: to create high-fidelity prototypes, one tailored for the desktop and another optimized for mobile. This wasn't just an assignment; it was my chance to prove that I could contribute meaningfully to the team.
