Things I’ve Learned

August 28, 2009 • 4:39 pm • POSTED BY sriddle

My days of interning at 160over90 have finally come to a close. And I can whole-heartedly say that I have made the most out of my experience, really learning the process, the reasons for choosing certain design elements, not just to make a page pretty but to ensure that every move must have a purpose. I have seen the strategy of analyzing the target audience (what they think about the product/service, what we want them to think, etc.) that my professors harped on used in real life. And through all this, I have improved my skills and become a more intelligent designer than I was before.

People always told me that you get out of an internship (really any life experience) what you put in. I think this is certainly the case at 160. The program is all about observing and absorbing everything you possibly can, then putting what you have learned into practice. So, from this experience I have definitely gained some gems of knowledge about design, social media, web applications, photography, Photoshop shortcuts and tricks, Illustrator shortcuts, typography do’s and don’ts, how to use i’Life Pages, and so on (to view a more detailed list, see the charts included in this post).

The nice thing about 160′s set up is how open the creative department’s work space is laid out. It really nurtures the absorption process, and makes it super easy to pick up on techniques people use while designing, sit in on check ins, or just listen to critiques. This has proven to be the most useful for my growth as a designer, as well as made my internship much more entertaining than I could have imagined.

Take a gander at some of the entertainment, camaraderie, and other non-design related things I have overheard while at 160.

“I only buy music from E-harmony.”

When asked which fast food restaurant, McDonald’s or Burger King, would you rather blow up given the opportunity, one answer (paraphrased):
Burger King because McDonald’s is too valuable due to its contribution to Americana: Big Mac, Coca-Cola, and fries.
Wendy’s was also thrown into the mix and was said it must go because it is a fake. Sometimes it has breakfast, sometimes it doesn’t, but it never lasts.

“I have serial killer handwriting.”

“I got chicken pot pie in my hair.”

In reference to Phil, one of the other design interns.
“PHILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!”
“PHILLLLLED to the brim.”
“I will always get my PHIL.”

“Hey Bridget, TGIGRF. Thank God it’s Gangster Rap Friday.”

So, thank  you 160 for such an awesome opportunity and experience. Below, feel free to peruse some the details of the timeline.