Leah's Story: Graphic Design Internship in Berlin
- May 25
- 3 min read
This is Leah!
Leah holds a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. With a career goal to create meaningful design that positively impacts the world, Leah joined the ArtBound Initiative program and landed a graphic design internship with Studio Avanti. This Berlin-based creative consultancy specializes in crafting unique and impactful brand experiences, allowing Leah to take the first step toward achieving her professional goals.
Read more of Leah's international internship experience below!
How would you describe your day-to-day at Studio Avanti?
My daily routine during my internship began with a morning meeting at 10, where we discussed the tasks for the day and everyone was assigned work to start or continue. Lunch was usually around 2 PM (for an hour), and the day typically ended at 7 PM. While the routine was consistent, no two weeks were the same, which made it fascinating to see how a fast-paced design firm operates.
During my time there, I had the opportunity to follow multiple projects through their entire lifecycle, from initial creation and development to production and finalisation. I was often assigned research tasks, which is one of my strengths, and I also contributed with drawings for various projects. Towards the end of my internship, I even got to experiment with new redesigns for the client Kotti Kebab, which was a really exciting experience.
What aspect of your internship is the most rewarding?
My overall experience was extremely rewarding. It gave me the chance to significantly develop my skills while working with real life clients. One highlight was seeing my dog illustrations included on posters around Berlin for the client Accountable, it was incredibly exciting to see my work publicly displayed.
I can’t pinpoint a single skill I gained; I genuinely learned a lot. I practiced animation techniques, observed how my coworkers approached and solved design challenges, and learned to generate ideas more quickly and efficiently. Overall, the internship helped me grow creatively and professionally in ways I hadn’t expected.
Personally, the most enjoyable aspect of my internship was the personal growth I experienced and the social challenges of joining a new firm. I really enjoy meeting new people and learning about them, their ways of working, their personalities, and how they approach problem-solving. Navigating a new team and building relationships pushed me out of my comfort zone, which helped me become more confident, adaptable, and communicative. Beyond the technical skills I developed, I valued the opportunity to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and contribute to a collaborative environment. These experiences not only made the internship more rewarding but also helped me grow as both a professional and a person.
Has your internship met your expectations?
The internship was unlike what I had expected. I didn’t anticipate being given so much freedom or the opportunity to contribute my own ideas in meaningful ways. From the very beginning, I was encouraged to take initiative and offer input, which made me feel trusted and valued as part of the team. I really appreciated the recognition of my work and ideas, it was motivating to see that my contributions were taken seriously and could have a real impact on projects. This level of responsibility not only boosted my confidence but also gave me a deeper understanding of how collaborative and creative processes work in a professional design environment.
In what way did ArtBound Initiative helped you the most?
ArtBound helped me the most during my internship by connecting me with other people who were also completing internships. Having this social network made a huge difference, as it gave me a sense of community and support while navigating a new city. I quickly realized how important it is to have a 'social bubble' for mental health, it helped me feel more comfortable, less isolated, and more confident both in my personal life and at work. Being able to share experiences, challenges, and advice with peers in a similar situation made the whole internship experience far more enjoyable and manageable.
I can't pinpoint a single skill I gained; I genuinely learned a lot which helped me grow creatively and professionally in ways I hadn't expected.
Leah
Graphic Design Internship | Studio Avanti
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, Miami, Austin, London, 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 Berlin Internship here.
Questions? Contact us at info@artboundinitiative.com
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