World's Greatest Internship

You should select me because

I think I'd be a great candidate for the WGI program for a multitude of reasons. My skill set it varied and I like being able to include as much of it as I can in one project, from coding (including HTML, CSS, and JQuery) to motion design, to a deep passion for typography and communication in all its forms. Having grown up in Detroit, I have the perspective into the world of the automotive, and changing perspectives on what some have viewed as a failing city. Much of my work has been to combat the negative connotations of communities like Detroit. I think expanding my world view can only improve that ability. In terms of real world experience, I've worked in a multitude of different industries, from toy makers to automotive advertising agencies. I'm always seeking out new experiences through meeting new people, learning about what they do to see if it can apply to or improve what I do. I like to make people laugh, and believe that connecting to people through humor or entertainment quality defines a lot of my work. Through the WGI program, I would seek to improve all of these qualities and even qualities I don't expect to improve. Ultimately, I think I would be the best candidate because I would be open to learning everything possible, and would treat the experience invaluably.

1. Why are you interested in wgi?

I'm interested in the World Greatest Internship both as an opportunity to learn and expand my design skill set, and also to travel. I think learning about other cultures allows one to think more universally in their design. Having already traveled and experienced the design culture of the Netherlands, I'd like to learn about and apply my skills beyond what I already know, and what my current world view is, and I see the Worlds Greatest Internship as on opportunity to do that.

2. What are you looking to gain from an experience such as WGI?

I think what I'm seeking to learn couldn't be paired down to one thing. In learning about other design culture, I hope to learn many things, whether that means different work flows or gaining an understanding of how different people in different parts of the world think. Really, anything that I'd have the opportunity to learn during this experience, I would seek out.

3. What would be your goals after completing WGI if you were selected?

After completing WGI I would likely try find a design studio where I can continue to learn around others, though I do aspire to one day have my own practice (though that might be a little further off). The opportunities for networking and learning could be good gateways to those things.

4. How did you hear about wgi?

The Brand Identity Instagram, which I've followed for several months.

5. Share an example of a time you were most motivated and a time you were most demotivated.

I time a remember being most motivated was during my Netherlands experience. We spent Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays working alongside designers to meet various ends; but otherwise were touring the country and visiting design studios. It was a very overwhelming experience, both in terms of my learning and in adapting to a new country for the time. Deadlines needed to be met quickly, but working into the night alongside my peers filled me with determination. The nature of the work was also more abstract, more about exploring thinking and process than creating a final product, and the experience not only strengthened my design, but the way I think about any design problem. The whole experience created a confidence in myself, and I still look back on it fondly. As far as demotivation goes, after leaving my job in advertising (on of my first jobs out of school), I really lost motivation for what I was doing. It lasted for some time, culminating in myself taking some time to only focus on personal work. I ended up creating a small series of videos on Youtube, centered around fashion and comedy. There were no rules, it was pure creative freedom, turning what was demotivation into a real passion for video and making people laugh.

6. In your opinion, what creates a great culture at a company?

For starters, what makes a great culture in a company is inclusivity. I believe that through having a diverse background of individuals, you have a greater sense of how diverse people think and react to what you create. They can inform and critique from many perspectives, ultimately improving all the work a company creates. Beyond that, I think being friendly with those you work with takes a companies culture very far. It's hard to create as efficiently when your relationships with others are strained, so I always seek to make friends and hope that improves the work culture as well.

7. What brands and companies do you admire and why?

I particularly admire companies that express confidence in themselves and what they do. In the past I've visited Base Design in New York, who's confidence in what they create and why it's correct for their specific client was inspiring. Wolff Olins as well have a very inviting presence as well as very interesting design perspectives both in there San Fransisco location, and internationally. Ultimately, I think I respect brands and companies that stand for something beyond what their focus might be. Brand that advocate for equality and aren't afraid to take a stance on what might be a divisive issue.

8. What do you do to stay sharp and improve your craft?

Having worked freelance for a few months, I think it's important to stay in communication with the local design community. This means going to lectures and finding opportunities to work / talk with other designers as much as possible. Looking at the design industry as well, keeping up on news and the work being created. I also think it's important to create things that have clear boundaries (client work) and things that have no boundaries (personal work). Having both interchangeably keeps my mind and my work focused, while still giving me room to experiment.

9. What’s your favorite quote?

This is a really good question, as I have quite a few favorite quotes. Here are a few: Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine. When the world rots, we set it afire, for the sake of the next world. So I pull my curtains closed, in the absence of the world composed. A bottomless curse, a bottomless sea, accepting of all that there is... and can be. The quiet un-treasured in between times. Shopping bags are little ghosts of grocery stores, haunting everywhere else. And it keeps coming, and it keeps coming, and it keeps coming, till the day it stops. I think I’m dumb, or maybe just happy. Somebody once told me the world was macaroni.

10. If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

Tyler Unger

After completing WGI I would likely try find a design studio where I can continue to learn around others, though I do aspire to one day have my own practice (though that might be a little further off). The opportunities for networking and learning could be good gateways to those things.

The Brand Identity Instagram, which I've followed for several months.