12 Weeks – What It’s Really Like to Intern for a Digital Agency

December 23, 2013 By BJ Cook,

It's that time of year again and last Friday we had to say "see you later" to one of our interns. Krista was the design intern for DO over the last 12 weeks and she is going into her last few months of college. We are so glad we had the opportunity to work with her and hope she learned a few things while working here. We asked Krista to answer a few questions about her experience and this is what she had to say:

Interning at Digital Operative has been a very good experience. I have had the opportunity to work with designers that have a great understanding of simple and clean design. Interning at DO has taught me that you can never have enough research and that there is always opportunity to push design further.

1. How would you define Digital Marketing? and how was your role crucial to the success of the Agency?

From a design perspective, digital marketing is all about creating an aesthetically pleasing look that excites the user into wanting to know more and also is about creating a good user experience. Designers pull all the research together of the company to create a good-looking finished product that works.

2. Who were your mentors at DO and how did you like working with them?

Brad and Evan were my mentors while at DO. Both were very willing to give me advice and help on projects. They provided good insight on what it means to design at a digital agency. They work hard and are good at what they do!

3. What did you learn from your internship?

Like I said above, the biggest thing I will take away from my time at DO is the idea that you can never have enough research or layout options. The more ideas there are the easier it is to come up with a finished product that makes sense, works well for the client, and looks good.

4. You're finished......how do you feel about completing your internship?

I can’t believe my time at DO is already ending. I am so thankful that I have this experience to take with me into my future as a designer and as a new college graduate. I am excited to use what I have learned here in my last semester of college and wherever I end up in the design world.

5. Do you still want to go down the same career path after you graduate? Why/Why not?

I would still love the opportunity to design for youth camps or non-profits. Affecting kids lives for the better and helping people in general has always been something I have been passionate about. However, recently I have been interested in magazine and print design so I may explore that option as well.

6. What was your favorite part about working with DO?

My favorite part about working for DO was the fun yet hard working passionate environment. That excites me in looking for a job after graduation in that I really could enjoy where I work! It was also exciting to know that design on the web is changing to be something that can operate well but also be good design. Before working here I wasn't sure how fun and exciting web design could be. Now I think it’s great.

7. Would you recommend the internship program to your classmates?

I would definitely recommend this internship to my classmates. Interning here has given me a good foundation of what it is like to work with a group of people (strategy, marketing, and other designers) to make a website. There are many things that I have learned here that you do not learn in the classroom and the only way to learn those things is to get the experience in a real digital agency.

8. What were a few of your favorite memories while interning for DO?

Being able to be involved in the celebration of DO’s five years was exciting. Even though I have only been interning here for a few months it has been obvious to me that there has been a lot of hard work and sacrifice to get this agency to where it is today and I loved being a part of the celebration.

Good Luck Krista! Your DO family wishes you nothing but the best - we are here for you and know you will kick butt in whatever you set your mind to!!!