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🌟MACS Spotlight Series: Exploring Media Through the Eyes of Our Members 🌟 Design Edition ✏️ 🖥️ 🎨 Welcome to our Spotlight Series! Meet Ava Toon – Design Officer at MACS – who’s kicking us off with her perspective on mastering design in an increasingly digital world. Here’s the scoop: “I’ve always loved reading about, analysing, and creating art and design. Studying design and media communication allows me to blend these skills with digital media techniques, giving me a wider range of capabilities." Design is more than just creating visually appealing content—it's about communication, storytelling, and the challenge of constantly adapting to new media. "My skills have improved as I've put my designs out into the real world, learning to balance aesthetics and accessibility. It's also helped me strengthen my collaborative skills, work under deadlines, and gain a greater understanding of marketing as a whole!" As digital design continues to rise in popularity, Ava recommends getting across the platforms used by professionals in order to be as adaptable and employable as possible. Ava’s advice to those interested in design is simple:  💡"Create as much as you can! The only way you can improve and build your skills to create things that you're proud of is to practise." 💡Have a digital portfolio or website to showcase your work, collaborate with other designers, and gain as much professional experience as possible, including internships. 💡"Have a broad range of examples of different types of design: from social media and web design, to posters, to animations– the list goes on! Also having other skills that are related to design is really valuable, particularly copywriting and video editing that you can feature as your work." Like what you see? Follow Ava Toon (@avalouuise) on Instagram to keep up with her latest projects. Don’t forget to follow MACS for more insights and stories from our talented members! #monashmacs #MACSSpotlightSeries #MediaAndCommunication #CareerAdvice #DigitalMedia

Find opportunities for growth in challenges Getting into the shoes of an intern account manager of a reputed agency, I had to psych myself up to a whole array of challenges that at first sight appeared to be serious roadblocks: from meeting daunting project deadlines through going over the intricacies of facing diverse client demands. What seemed so difficult from the very beginning turned out to be great learning experiences, guiding my attitude into problem-solving and resilience in the professional world. So, this change from that kind of nervous to that kind of enabled is really well summarized by one quite difficult assignment that I've got. I have been assigned to develop a template of the public account in WeChat. Requirements for this project are very demandable in penetration into understanding the client's needs and translating them into visually appealing and user-friendly design. However, to my shock, a lot was drawn from my educational background, especially a course in publication design that I had done in the University of Sydney where I learned about layout, colour theory, and user experience design. The process of dealing with the task equated to the journey of a self and skills discovery. I underwent the cycle of eternal trial, reaction, and revision, in which I got the chance to apply the theoretical principles to practical challenges. Iteration was, in a way, a constant process of not ticking off the task on the hand but improving and refining my creative thinking and technical abilities. So finally, I ended up getting more and more comfortable and offered the confidence to navigate through complexities in the design and integrate many innovative elements that are in tune with the brand identity and communication needs of the client. And the moment I presented my final design of the public account, I got overwhelming and really heartfelt feedback from the client, which nothing but an attestation to the growing experience through the challenge. They have lauded the aesthetic of the design, the user-friendliness of the structure, and an effective corporate message altogether, all stressing how the right blend of creativity and functionality have been reached. This recognition gave very strong evidence of one's ability to realize in practice the theoretical knowledge and strengthened the belief in the importance of having challenges as opportunities for development. Truly, the experience allowed me to realize how great of a development it actually makes in a person who handles a challenge straight with a frame of learning and adaptation attitude. This experience has instilled in me a very deep sense of appreciation for the values of creative problem solving, adaptability, and pursuit of excellence. #ProfessionalGrowth #CreativeSolutions #ChallengeAccepted #DesignThinking #WeChatDesign #PublicationDesign #AccountManager #BrandCommunication

Do you remember when you were younger and looking at design agencies thinking "Wow look at those adults that get to do real, actual creative jobs and now I am applying to them for an internship and I'm so nervous - what will they think of me? I haven't achieved anything yet!" Personally, I remember it like it was yesterday. Those first clumsy portfolios - badly patched together photographed physical projects back then. It is wild to me to think, that now I am in the other position, I am THE ADULT. We receive internship applications almost every day. From countries all over Europe, sometimes even further afield. I feel very lucky that those talented, young people want to learn from me and in turn share their skills and insights. We've had interns from France, South Korea, and Italy, and every one of them has taught me things in return. Of course, being a small team, we have very limited spots and most of the applications have to be turned down - which I never find easy, but always try to do with a personalised message. But how do we choose the right candidates? How can you stand out? No gatekeeping here, so full disclaimer, there is often a bit of gut feeling involved, along with spotting some raw talent and an intriguing approach to creative projects. I have written down some thoughts on our selection process for a blog article - and our former intern, Mathilde, has done the same, from an intern's POV. We hope it will help some people out there trying to pluck up the courage to apply for a position somewhere. We'd love for you to have a read.

Internship Task 1: Business Identity Package Digital Empowerment Network The process begins with understanding the brand's mission, vision, and target audience. Next, multiple logo concepts are created and refined to select the best design. Afterward, brand colors and typography are chosen to reflect the brand's personality. A detailed brand style guide is developed to ensure consistency across all materials. Finally, the brand identity is applied across various materials to maintain a cohesive look and feel.

Unlocking the Power of Social Media Design for Study Abroad Consultant Firms ✈️🌍 In today's digital landscape, captivating design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating meaningful connections and driving results. For study-abroad consultant firms, harnessing the potential of social media design is paramount. 📱💼 Here's why: 1️⃣ Visual Storytelling: Compelling design communicates your firm's mission, values, and the transformative experiences you offer. It captures attention, evokes emotions, and resonates with prospective students. 2️⃣ Brand Identity: Consistent, visually appealing content reinforces your firm's brand identity across platforms. It builds trust, credibility, and distinguishes you from competitors in a crowded market. 3️⃣ Engagement & Reach: Dynamic design elements, such as eye-catching graphics and videos, boost engagement and amplify your reach. They encourage interactions, shares, and ultimately, conversions. 4️⃣ Showcasing Diversity: Social media design provides a platform to showcase the diverse cultures, destinations, and opportunities your firm facilitates. It celebrates inclusivity and attracts a wide range of prospective students. 5️⃣ Personalized Connection: Tailored design speaks directly to your target audience, addressing their needs, concerns, and aspirations. It fosters a sense of connection and understanding, paving the way for meaningful engagements. Harnessing the power of social media design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about crafting an immersive experience that resonates with your audience and drives tangible results. Let's elevate your firm's presence together! ✨ #StudyAbroad #Consulting #SocialMediaDesign #GlobalEducation #graphicdesigner #posterdesign #socialmedia #opentowork #designer #socialads #addesign #postdes #ads #banner #adsdesign #behance #portfolio #graphicsdesign #flyerdesign #flyer #poster #corporatedesign #corporateidentity #markeingflyer #billboard #billboarddesign #CorporateFlyerDesign #BrandElevation #Engagement #flyerdesign #flyer

Let's introduce - Our new interns. Daan Cauberg, 20 years old - Media Design student. I am driven by capturing, editing, and animating moving images. In my free time, I enjoy sports, but even then, making videos ranks high on my list. If you ask me what my true passion is, it's creating animations. Nick Miesen, 20 years old - Media Design student. I am me, and you are you. Special, you could say, that's me. Always busy with something different from others, perhaps not always as efficient, but it's undeniable that creativity is the result. At school, many find me interesting, but often irritating. Of course, in a positive sense. Dazzy Janbroers, 21 years old - Facility Management student. Structure is my middle name because with a good foundation, you can build, and that applies to me as well. Sociability is also an important topic for me, which led to my choice for an internship at Sessibon/S3. Meet me at the office! Amber Nafzger, 22 years old - Marketing Specialist student. The outsider, that's me. I love chrome, sun, fashion, fruit, coffee, fitness, and the 80's vibe. My passion is creating brands through Graphic Design & New Tech. Fun fact about me? I can sit at home for hours in a cross-legged position because that's when I work best.

As I soon hit my one-year mark with the DESG team, I want to share my journey with my fellow designer friends who have recently graduated.   I completed my diploma in Interaction Design at Nanyang Polytechnic last May. Despite having little experience in marketing and an irrelevant major, I was lucky to land a graphic designer position at DataExpert Singapore. Because of my curiosity for graphic design, I spent the first few weeks on the job feeling lost and unsure of my abilities. My teammates remained supportive, always passing feedbacks nicely and always helping me find for my strength.    But I wasn't about to lose hope easily; after all, it'd be pretty embarrassing to lose my first job within a month. So, I crashed course the tools/software used because adapting well is important. I shared all ideas and proposals that pops up in my head because no idea is a bad idea. I self-taught myself animation (or is it called motion graphics? – I still don’t know the difference) to make my works look cooler. I started reading books to improve my language skills, so that I can impress my team with my copywriting skills (of course with a little help from google and Chatgpt). And picked up many more skills throughout my time here.   Not that work has become easy because as you work on more project, you are continuously picking up new skills and honing your creative process.   Your first job is like your first love - not perfect, but full of opportunities for growth. Hehehe! There is nothing wrong to have your learning cap on at work. But remember it is a workplace after all, maintain a proactive attitude, meet deadlines, and manage your workflow effectively.    To my designer friends out there, the design industry might sound like a singular road to but there are actually many lanes you can take. It is not a straight path! Good luck to everyone embarking on this exciting career path!

Did you know? A design intern played a pivotal role in creating the iconic #Nike logo✔️ Discover more intriguing facts about this legendary brand in our video. Follow #Ungrammary for insightful content updates!🙌 #design #designinspiration #branding #designthinking #creativity #innovativedesign #storytelling #uxdesign #productdesign #VisualStorytelling #designstory

Delve into the intricate world of graphic design with our latest article, where we dissect the fusion of form and function. Explore how design principles harmonize aesthetics with practicality, creating visually compelling solutions across various mediums. From branding to user experience, uncover the pivotal role of functionality in shaping impactful design narratives. #GraphicDesign #DesignPrinciples #Aesthetics #Practicality #VisualSolutions #Branding #UserExperience #Functionality #DesignNarratives

🎨 From Concept to Creation: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Design Process at Digital Empowerment Network 🌟 Last night, I shared a sneak peek of the social media poster I designed during my internship. The response was amazing—thank you! 🙌 But I wanted to take it a step further, so I created a short video that walks you through the key elements of the design. 🎥 While the video focuses on naming and showcasing the main components, here’s a bit more about the thought process behind each one: 1. Logo Placement: I strategically placed the logo at the top left. This spot is prime real estate in design, ensuring that the brand is immediately recognizable and sets the tone for the rest of the poster. 2. Left-Aligned Text: The headlines, body text, and CTA are all aligned on the left side. This isn’t just about keeping things tidy—it’s about guiding the viewer’s eye through the information in a logical, easy-to-follow way. Vector Balance: On the right side, I added a vector to balance the design visually. It’s the element that ties everything together, adding style without overwhelming the content. Contact Information: At the bottom, you’ll find the contact information. It’s positioned there so that after engaging with the content, viewers know exactly where to look for next steps. The video gives you a straightforward look at these elements and how they’re integrated into the design. It’s a quick tour of the layout, showing how each piece plays its part in the overall structure. Check out the video below, and let me know what you think! I’m always open to feedback and excited to keep growing in my design journey. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 😊 #DesignJourney #GraphicDesign #InternshipExperience #CreativeProcess #DesignWithPurpose #LearningInAction #DigitalDesign #VisualCommunication #DesignThinking #MarketingDesign #SocialMediaStrategy #BrandIdentity #DesignInspiration #CreativeGrowth