Graphic Design Internship

Summer 2022 - 2023

Project Overview

During my internship at Zak Designs in 2022-2023, my primary responsibility was to develop various designs for cups, plates, and other related products. Zak Designs is a well known design firm that specializes in creating licensed and branded items (i.e. Disney, Dreamworks, or Hello Kitty branded drinkware). Zak manufactures and sells their products to numerous large retailers such as Walmart, Target, Five Below, and more.

Project Deliverables

1. Produced more than 50 drinkware designs.

2. Developed over 20 dinnerware designs.

3. Crafted more than 20 designs for social media posts.

4. Contributed to the creation of 25+ physical mockups.

Project Context

Role: Graphic Design Intern

Team: Worked with mentor and manager

Internship Length: 10 months

Internship Location: Spokane, WA

Tools Used: Adobe Illustrator, 3D Visualization Software

Brainstorming and Ideation

To generate ideas for the drinkware designs, I initiated the process by creating several concept sketches. Given that a substantial portion of our target audience comprises children, I placed significant emphasis on incorporating fun, vibrant, and engaging patterns and color schemes. Additionally, as we often employ licensed content in our designs, it was crucial for me to be mindful of the restrictions around the usage of certain characters.

After producing numerous concept sketches, I meticulously reviewed each one and handpicked the most promising designs. I then collaborated with my team members to seek their valuable input and feedback. These selected sketches provided me with a solid foundation to start creating the final design file.

Design Process

The design phase consisted of two primary stages: Firstly, I developed a design file in Adobe Illustrator, and secondly, I imported the design into our 3D rendering software to visualize how the cup would appear. In Adobe Illustrator, I meticulously incorporated the specific details from my sketches to produce a print-ready design.

After the completion of the Adobe Illustrator file, it was essential to assess the final product's real-life appearance. To achieve this, I utilized a 3D visualization tool that enabled me to project the textures onto a 3D bottle model, providing a comprehensive preview of the finished product's look.

Results and Impact

Upon the conclusion of my 10 month internship, I had successfully created more than 100 designs for the company (between cup, plate, bowl, social media, and other designs). A few of the drinkware designs were produced and sold in bulk to renowned retailers such as Ross, Five Below, and Target in quantities over 50,000 units.

My internship at Zak Designs was an incredible experience that equipped me with numerous invaluable skills. In addition to honing my Adobe Illustrator expertise, I also gained extensive knowledge about 3D modeling, social media marketing, and brand development.