Cris Martinez interned with PATTERN as a graphic designer (Fall Semester ’23).
The creative world is somewhere I’ve always wanted to reside. My passion for art began with drawing and my interests shifted to other mediums since. When it was time to make a decision for college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. After considering my options, I was led to graphic design–majoring in visual communication and design.
My last year at Herron, IUPUI, required an internship, and as I scoured the internet for opportunities, I came across PATTERN. I began to research, and I was intrigued by what I found about it. I was intimidated, but I still applied for the role of graphic design intern with little hope of being accepted. This seemed like a huge leap from working on assignments to designing for a professional company.
I was shocked when I received an email asking if I was interested in an interview. I agreed and made my way downtown. Safe to say, the interview went well, the position was offered, and I gladly accepted. I was thrilled about this opportunity; I remember telling my friends and family.
Despite feeling a tad bit intimidated, I really enjoyed my experience. The team was friendly and made me feel at home. I began to learn the ropes, everything was explained to me, and after a few short days, I knew what was expected of me. I knew communication was key, but it was instilled in me how essential it is, especially when working with a team. I was used to working solo, but I knew I needed to adapt in order to prove my reliability and produce quality work.
I learned a lot throughout this experience, from design to the creative economy in Indiana. I was lucky enough to be able to attend and design for The Creative Economy Summit. There are tremendous opportunities for growth in Indiana, and PATTERN is doing a lot to bring these opportunities into the light.
The information I’ve absorbed has truly been eye-opening. There were times I felt overwhelmed but, in the end, I was able to overcome the obstacles I was faced with. I believe I was given proper guidance, and what I worked on was relevant to my career and beneficial for my growth as a graphic designer. Overall, my experience was wonderful, and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work for PATTERN.
