Imogen's Story: Graphic Design Internship in Sydney

This is Imogen!

Imogen recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Curtin University! She joined the ArtBound Initiative program and landed a Graphic Design Internship at Kiin Agency, a full-service digital agency specializing in strategy, creative thinking, design, tech, and media. Read more about her journey below!

Could you describe what your day-to-day looks like as an intern for Kiin Agency?

I typically began my workday at 9:15 am upon arriving at the office. I would message or call to check in with the lead designer and social media team to confirm the day’s priorities and tasks. My responsibilities included designing social media carousels and supporting both the lead designer and socials team with various design and content-related tasks. I also assisted with production planning and execution, including logistics such as product postage, shipping, and coordination with brand ambassadors.

Throughout the day, I regularly sought feedback and checked in on any additional tasks I could help with. I usually took lunch around midday, often with my coworkers. At times, I needed to pivot quickly between tasks to accommodate time-sensitive projects or urgent requests. I aimed to provide general support to the broader team—helping organise tasks, offering feedback, and assisting wherever possible. At the end of each day, I would check in for final feedback, communicate the progress I had made, and prepare a list of priorities for the following day.

What aspect of your internship is most enjoyable, rewarding, and/or useful?

The most rewarding aspect of my internship was the opportunity to connect and work closely with the team and lead designer. I was fortunate to have a lead designer who was present and generous with her time, offering honest and constructive feedback that helped strengthen my design skills, processes, and sharpen my attention to detail—as well as raise the standard I set for my own work. She was incredibly encouraging, which made the experience all the more rewarding and motivated me to push myself further.

Working with a team that genuinely wanted to see me succeed and grow was invaluable. I felt supported and safe to ask questions, which gave me the confidence to gain insight into everyone’s roles and reflect on how I can continue to grow professionally and what skills I should add to my repertoire.

Forming friendships within the team made the experience even more enjoyable and has expanded both my understanding of the industry and my professional network - something I’m incredibly grateful for. Seeing how clients engaged with the work and how appreciative they were of the final outcomes was deeply rewarding. I felt a real sense of pride and achievement when those projects were wrapped, and I felt truly invested in the work being done. I really loved seeing how passionate everyone was, and having their support going forward is something I find incredibly valuable as I take the next step in my career.

With the Kiin Team

Did your internship meet your expectations and how will it impact your career goals?

This internship has been an invaluable learning experience and has provided me with a springboard from which I have gained a deeper understanding of professional environments and the industry. While I initially expected a more structured placement with more hands-on guidance, the experience was incredibly rewarding as it challenged me to navigate ambiguity, take initiative, collaborate effectively, and build confidence in myself and my design abilities outside of an academic setting.

The internship provided firsthand insight into how different departments collaborate and work together to achieve a shared goal. I learnt the key role that communication and collaboration play in a fast-paced agency setting and developed a strong appreciation for the value each team brings to the others. This experience showed me how the agency functions to manage clients and briefs; it was inspiring and very rewarding to be a part of.

The internship also highlighted areas for personal and professional growth. It identified skills I can focus on, build, and learn to become an indispensable asset in my future workplace and improve my employability. It provided unique exposure to a wide variety of industry roles through both the placement itself and the broader ABN community network - far beyond what a traditional internship might offer or what I learnt at university.

How did ArtBound Initiative help you the most?

ArtBound Initiative has been instrumental in expanding my perspective on what’s possible for my career, both nationally and internationally. Through its strong community and networking opportunities, I was able to step outside my comfort zone and access experiences that many of my peers have not had. The program provided consistent support and mentorship, which made the entire journey feel structured, safe, and encouraging. I felt empowered to challenge myself and take meaningful steps toward my professional goals. Most importantly, ArtBound connected me with a wide network of industry professionals who genuinely want to see me succeed. The resume and portfolio reviews helped me gain confidence in what I was working towards and industry expectations. I have gained so much confidence in my capabilities and think more broadly in terms of what is possible for me and my design career. I’m deeply grateful to the program for helping me realise my potential and for giving me the confidence and tools to pursue the next stage of my career.

The connections and relationships I built throughout the internship have been invaluable to my professional development. These relationships have already deepened my understanding of the industry and expanded my network. They have given me access to more opportunities than I imagined possible and enhanced my portfolio and resume, which will no doubt help open doors for future career opportunities.

Imogen

Graphic Design Internship | Kiin Agency

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Interested in the program but don't know where to start? Check your eligibility here!

ArtBound Initiative is a fee-based global internship program for creatives. We prepare students for their careers through an online coaching curriculum and by helping them secure an internship in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Berlin, Melbourne, Sydney, and Virtually. With an expansive network of leading creative companies, our program provides access to creative industries that are notoriously insular.

Read more about ArtBound Initiative Sydney Internships here.

Questions? Contact us at info@artboundinitiative.com