Ruth's Story: Graphic Design Internship in Melbourne

Meet Ruth!

After graduating from RMIT Australia with a Bachelor of Design, Ruth secured a summer graphic design internship at Hinkler, Australia’s #1 publisher for adults and children through the ArtBound Initiative program. Following a successful internship, she was hired by the company as a freelance graphic designer!

Interested to know more? Read through Ruth's experience below.

How would you describe your day-to-day at Hinkler?

At Hinkler, my day typically began around 7 AM, allowing for a one-hour commute before starting work at 9 AM. The workplace was located next to a reservoir, and after lunch, some of the designers and I would often go for a walk around the lake. 

My daily tasks varied and included making corrections to existing book cover designs, designing colouring pages in Adobe Illustrator, and preparing files for print. This involved setting up print-ready documents and incorporating finishes such as spot UV and foil. I also created mock-ups for potential products to be shared with clients, supporting the development and presentation of new ideas.

The environment at the office was relaxed and welcoming. Throughout my time there, I felt fully included as part of the team. Everyone was friendly, supportive, and always willing to help, which made it easy to ask questions and learn.

What aspect of your internship is most rewarding?

The most useful and rewarding aspect of my internship was learning the internal processes of a design-led business. As I had no prior experience working in this type of professional environment, it was valuable to see how different teams collaborated, particularly between designers and editors. Attending meetings and observing how trends were discussed, interpreted, and creatively applied gave me a strong insight into how ideas are developed and refined in a real-world setting.

A view of Ruth's desk at Hinkler

How do you think this internship will impact your career?

This internship gave me a clearer understanding of the type of work I am interested in and the professional environment I want to be part of. Most importantly, it affirmed my passion for design and reassured me that this is a career path I want to continue pursuing and striving towards in the long term.

In what way did ArtBound Initiative helped you the most?

ArtBound Initiative helped me the most through their general guidance. The support I received with my interview skills, portfolio, and resume truly gave me a newfound sense of confidence. Before, looking for internships and jobs felt overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure where to start. Now, I feel much more prepared and equipped with stronger strategies to approach job applications moving forward.

After joining ArtBound Initiative, I now feel much more prepared and equipped to approach job applications.

Ruth

Graphic Design Internship | Hinkler

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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, 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 Melbourne Internship here.

Questions? Contact us at info@artboundinitiative.com