Graphic Design & Marketing Virtual Internship with Think Pacific

Wolverhampton School of Art / Links with Industry / Graphic Design & Marketing Virtual Internship with Think Pacific

Graphic Design & Marketing Virtual Internship with Think Pacific: BA(Hons) Graphic Design final-year student, Shriya Rai:

In January, I started a 12-week design and marketing internship as part of a University scholarship programme. I'm very grateful to have an opportunity to undertake a virtual internship with the Think Pacific Foundation, a social enterprise that works with the Fijian government to carry out Fiji's National Development Plan in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We have lots of real-world experience in the graphic design industry as part of my course, but COVID restrictions have limited international opportunities. However, Think Pacific have allowed me to still be able to receive that experience whilst making an effective difference in the Fijian community. This has enabled me to form new relationships and has helped me to develop as an individual and as a creative professional.

Thanks to the cooperation with partner organisation "Cautata Village Bakery" and the support of Katherine, my internship mentor, I am on track to completing and presenting my ‘Action Projects’ in a matter of weeks. These combine two projects into one, and I have been creating a logo and a social media campaign for the first half of my project and marketing materials for the second part.

With no previous experience in marketing, I decided to challenge myself to use graphic design skills and techniques learned from my degree course to help a Fijian start-up with their brand communications. The opportunity to learn more about the new culture, UN Sustainable development goals, marketing research tools and professional pitching has given me the desire to continue self-development and motivation to smash my goals for the rest of 2021!

Overall, this experience so far has given me a unique experience, learning about Fiji's history and culture but also a chance to develop and improve my transferable skills, whilst having the freedom to be creative and showcase my design & marketing skills. I hope my contribution will help "Cautata Village Bakery" to enhance sales and achieve its ambitious goals.