Picture this: A novice intern, with absolutely no work experience and a whole lot of self-doubt. That was me when I began my internship. I dived headfirst into the world of creative chaos, unsure of whether I’d be able to make it. I commenced in October, and the festive season that was usually a time of relaxation for me, now demanded quick thinking and tested my ability to thrive under pressure. Deadlines seemed to multiply, and the amount of work that arrived at my desk was overwhelming, to say the least. Each day presented new challenges and catching up with the fast-paced environment around me seemed next to impossible. Sounds scary right? Fortunately, amidst the chaos, it’s the people around me who helped make the process seem less daunting and filled it with enjoyment. I was reminded that it was just the beginning, and it would obviously take me a while to get accustomed to the way things work here.
As a design intern, I was introduced to the principles and practices of visual communication. From creating graphics to designing layouts, every task was an opportunity to learn and grow. But it wasn’t just that. Very early on in the internship, I learned two very important things. First— Design is not art. Art focuses more on self-expression, while Design is more purpose-driven, and serves a goal. Second— insights are just as important to designers as they are to copywriters. A big question mark popped up on my face when I heard this for the first time. I thought to myself, “Don’t designers just focus on execution?”. But I soon realised that it’s much more than that. After all, if I don’t understand my audience, then who am I designing for?
Throughout the first 3 months, I immersed myself in design tools and techniques, honing my skills and gaining confidence with each project. I picked up cool design tricks, engaged in insightful conversations, and received valuable feedback from experienced designers, which helped me understand the importance of effective communication and attention to detail in design—something I believe I lacked in the beginning.
Transitioning to my new role as a creative intern, I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to explore something I hadn’t tried my hand at before; writing and content creation. I initially wondered how my ability to design would translate into ideating/writing copy. However, I quickly realised that my experience as a designer had equipped me with a valuable skill set—to think visually. The fact that I’d spent 3 months designing helped me understand how ideas come to life and consider how visual elements come together to convey a message or tell a story. This ability to visualise concepts now comes in handy when it comes to ideation as a creative intern, because when I think of concepts, or try to write a copy, I am able to visualise how the creative could turn out. Hence, I’m convinced it was a good decision to start the internship with design, as it offered me time to adjust to the way things work in the agency and gain some more confidence before I ventured into writing and creating content. Honestly, it’s interesting how even though design and copywriting may seem like two very different roles, they are inherently interconnected.
Now, as a creative intern, I’m getting the opportunity to try my hand at everything! It’ like being in a giant playground where I can explore, and let my creativity run wild. Whether it’s working on interesting campaigns, or shooting reels, everyday feels like a new adventure— and what’s more is that it’s not limited to just one brand. I can say without a doubt, that I get to learn something new every day, and not just from the role, but from the creative experts around me. Hopefully by the end of my internship, I’ll be equipped with the power to be able to ideate-write-execute. But like Uncle Ben once said, “With great power comes great responsibility”, right?
Ria Hardikar
Creative Intern
