GIRLS WHO CODE DESIGNS

Annually, State Farm hosts a Girls Who Code summer immersion program for 7 weeks. They also host a graduation for the participants. My intern supervisor was in a crunch because the in-house design service at State Farm told her, at the last minute, that they were unable to design a booklet for the graduation. It was the week before the event. 

Thankfully, I involved myself in the intern support team for the Girls Who Code Graduation, and I was able to showcase my cultivated graphic design skills and work ethic. I took charge of designing the booklet and delegated info-gathering tasks to others. I spent several hours storyboarding the booklet design during the work week; I remember eating while reviewing my storyboard at a Chinese restaurant after work.

Then, the weekend arrived. The graduation event was the following Thursday, meaning that the final design absolutely must be finished by Monday in order to leave time for printing. 

In merely 2 days (Saturday and Sunday), I completed a professional-tier booklet. I was able to complete it in such a manner due to my love for design and constant calls to my intern supervisor for confirmations. I set up a live screen-share for my intern supervisor to view throughout the whole weekend, and it made communication easier because she could view live changes and give instant input. I spent a total of 30 hours designing.

I did run into some issues, especially with receiving biography info from participants and printing. The biography information was incomplete for some participants, so I took it upon myself to visit the Girls Who Code program and personally interview every single participant and instructor in order to confirm correct name usage, school name, and add more biographical information. While interviewing each one, I connected with them on their personal hobbies and preferences. I offered advice and resources to those interested in graphic design and coding.

For printing, an intern and I hunted for a fast and low-cost service. Luckily, a nearby business called Allegra Printing warmly welcomed State Farm's business and quickly delivered my booklet designs. I remember having to find a private space during a hub-wide intern showcase because I was coordinating with a representative from Allegra. We were able to receive the booklets the day before the graduation. Six months later, I found out that my intern supervisor's team heavily relies on their printing services as they have consistently proven to be efficient, quick, and low-cost. It super intriguing to discover my initial interaction with Allegra spurred a successful relationship between the two businesses. 

I felt this was my most accomplished project during my internship. It wasn't just the act of designing it; it was the act of designing a professional booklet for State Farm in 2 days, the weekend before the event. Due to the intensiveness and time restraint, I proved my value as an employee and stood out among the interns. I believe that it will factor into State Farm's consideration of employing me next summer (Internship #2 here I come!).