This is a guest blog by Jessica Claycomb, graphic design intern at Big Picture Data Imaging and student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
I started my internship at Big Picture Data Imaging in Terre Haute in September 2014. Big Picture is a company that designs and prints graphic work for the community. As a graphic design major, interning here has really helped me to learn all the “behind the scenes” work in finishing a design project during the printing process.
During my internship, I learned how to be more efficient with my time and how to properly prepare projects for printing. In my college classes we are taught how to best layout a design and how to use the software to create the designs, but now armed with the knowledge I gained with my internship, I can much more professionally have the correct advanced settings ready for the printer to make sure the project is the best that it can be.
The most challenging aspect to my internship at Big Picture is learning the mathematical side to the layout process. My supervisor, Ashley, knows the correct margins for each paper size and how far to space out individual elements on the page so as to not cut off anything when it is printed. But that is something that took her a while to figure out and she said the numbers and settings change from print shop to print shop depending on their preferences. This means it will be a challenge wherever I end up, but where is the fun without a challenge or two?
The most important thing I learned from my internship was how essential it is to be organized. My supervisor makes sure to stay on top of client emails, which designs have yet to be started, which have been sent to the customer for them to proof, and which are finalized to be printed. Her organizational skills have inspired me to keep on track with my own school assignments and design projects, and I believe her work method will impact me for my professional career down the road.
Interning at Big Picture has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my college career. That may sound like an exaggeration, but I assure you that the satisfaction of feeling I have chosen the career path that truly fits me is beyond words. I encourage everyone to consider an internship. It can open your eyes to what you could be doing for the rest of your life. I have learned more than my initial expectations, and I would not change anything from my experience. My internship has solidified my choice in graphic design, and I cannot thank Big Picture enough for the opportunity they have given me.
