Graphic Design Assistant

Task Objective: In this task, you will develop a comprehensive design brief for a new brand's logo. The objective is to research market trends, brand identity, and target audience preferences to develop a series of creative concepts that can be later refined in Adobe Photoshop. You will simulate a scenario where the client is seeking a fresh brand look to enter a competitive market.

Expected Deliverables: Submit a single PDF or multi-page document that includes:

• A written summary of your research findings, including market trends and competitor analysis.
• A detailed design brief outlining the brand's mission, target audience, tone, and desired attributes.
• At least three initial concept sketches or mood boards, either scanned or digitally created, that showcase different design directions.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Research the industry, identify target demographics, and analyze competitors to gather insights.
2. Develop a clear design brief that outlines the project's background, goals, and strategic approach.
3. Create several rough sketches or digital mock-ups exploring different visual styles and ideas.
4. Compile your findings and visuals into a coherent document using any digital document tool (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word saved as PDF).

Evaluation Criteria:

• Depth and relevance of research findings.
• Clarity and structure of the written design brief.
• Creativity and originality of concept visuals.
• Overall presentation and organization of the final document.

This task is designed to take approximately 30 to 35 hours, allowing you to deeply explore and articulate the initial stages of the design process. It will challenge your research, planning, and conceptual visualization skills before moving into the hands-on design environment in Adobe Photoshop.

Task Objective: This week’s assignment focuses on ensuring that you are comfortable and familiar with the Adobe Photoshop interface and its basic functions. You will create a detailed guide and a set of practice files that demonstrate your understanding of the software's essential tools and features.

Expected Deliverables: Submit a multi-page PDF document that includes:

• A step-by-step tutorial (with screenshots) of your Adobe Photoshop workspace setup, including your customized panels, tool placements, and workspace preferences.
• Three practice files (.PSD files) that showcase basic techniques such as using layers, applying filters, and simple image corrections.
• An explanation of your workflow and how you organized your tools within Photoshop.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Open Adobe Photoshop and explore the workspace, tools, and panels available within the application.
2. Customize your workspace to suit your design style and document the process with screenshots and annotations.
3. Create three separate practice files focusing on different aspects (i.e., layering, filters/effects, and image corrections) to demonstrate your competency with core tools.
4. Compile all screenshots, files, and written explanations into a comprehensive guide formatted as a PDF.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Completeness and clarity of the workspace setup guide.
• Quality and functionality of the practice files (.PSD files) demonstrating your use of basic tools in Photoshop.
• Detail in the workflow explanation and rationale for customization choices.
• Overall organization and presentation of the final deliverable.

This task is intended to span approximately 30 to 35 hours as you develop a strong foundational understanding of Adobe Photoshop’s essential functions necessary for more advanced projects.

Task Objective: In Week 3, you will focus on refining your advanced editing and image manipulation skills in Adobe Photoshop. Your task involves combining multiple images, applying advanced layer effects, and creating seamless composites. The aim is to simulate a real-world editing scenario where you must turn disparate visual elements into a cohesive design.

Expected Deliverables: Submit a single final composite image (.PSD file with layers intact) along with a supporting PDF document detailing your process. The PDF should include:

• A written step-by-step explanation of the techniques used.
• Screenshots of key stages in your editing process.
• An explanation of challenges encountered and how you resolved them.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Select multiple images from publicly available sources that can be combined to create a compelling composite.
2. Use techniques such as masking, blending, layer adjustments, and advanced filters to merge the images seamlessly.
3. Experiment with lighting, shadows, and textures to ensure a natural blend and appealing final output.
4. Document your process with detailed notes and screenshots to illustrate how each layer contributes to the final composite.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Complexity and creativity shown in the composite image.
• Technical proficiency with advanced Photoshop features.
• Clarity and thoroughness of the process documentation.
• Visual coherence and professional finish of the final image.

This engaging hands-on task is designed to take roughly 30 to 35 hours and is essential to mastering complex image manipulation skills that are frequently required in professional graphic design roles.

Task Objective: For this assignment, you will create a set of digital marketing materials that simulate a campaign for a fictional product. The challenge is to design cohesive visuals that can be used across various digital platforms using Adobe Photoshop. This project will test your ability to maintain brand consistency while adapting designs to different formats.

Expected Deliverables: Submit the following files:

• A fully layered Photoshop file (.PSD) that contains the design for the campaign poster.
• A resized version optimized for social media (e.g., a banner or ad image) saved as both .PSD and exportable formats (JPEG/PNG).
• A PDF document (3-5 pages) that outlines the design process, the rationale behind your creative decisions, and how each piece fits into the overall campaign strategy.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Research current digital marketing trends and study successful campaigns related to your fictional product.
2. Create a mood board and draft a creative concept that aligns with the product’s identity and target market.
3. Design the campaign poster and social media image using Adobe Photoshop, ensuring that colors, fonts, and layouts are harmonized.
4. Document your design choices and workflow in a detailed PDF report with visuals and commentary.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Consistency and innovation in the overall campaign design.
• Quality and creativity of the digital marketing materials.
• Professional use of layers, tools, and effects in Photoshop.
• Depth and clarity of the design process documentation.

This comprehensive task is intended to require approximately 30 to 35 hours of work, simulating a professional environment where flexibility and creative execution are vital for success in digital advertising.

Task Objective: This week, you will simulate a client project scenario by creating a digital advertisement based on a provided fictional client brief. You are expected to create an initial draft, simulate feedback through self-critique, and then revise your design accordingly in Adobe Photoshop. This activity is designed to mimic the real-world iterative process of client communications and adjustment.

Expected Deliverables: Your submission should include:

• An initial version of the advertisement saved as a layered .PSD file.
• A revised final version after self-evaluation and simulated feedback, also in a layered .PSD file.
• A reflective PDF report (minimum 3 pages) documenting the design brief, initial concept, simulated client feedback (self-assessed), and rationale behind the subsequent revisions.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Carefully review the provided fictional client brief to understand the design requirements, target audience, and key messaging.
2. Create an initial advertisement design in Adobe Photoshop, incorporating the brief’s guidelines.
3. Conduct a self-review of your initial design, simulating potential client feedback, and note areas for improvement.
4. Revise the design based on this self-assessment, ensuring that the final version addresses the simulated feedback.
5. Document the entire process in a reflective PDF, detailing your decisions and improvements made.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Accuracy in adhering to the provided client brief.
• Creativity and aesthetic quality of both initial and final designs.
• Effectiveness of the revision process and ability to integrate feedback.
• Clear, detailed documentation and self-reflection in the accompanying report.

This task is estimated to require approximately 30 to 35 hours of work, allowing you to experience the iterative nature of design work and enhancing your ability to respond to client needs independently.

Task Objective: In this final task, you will compile a digital portfolio that showcases your best work from the simulated tasks throughout the internship. The aim is to create a professional portfolio that demonstrates a wide range of skills in Adobe Photoshop, from initial concepts to final products. Additionally, you will provide a self-evaluation that reflects on your growth as a graphic design assistant.

Expected Deliverables: Submit the following:

• A comprehensive portfolio design file (preferably in .PSD format or exported as a high-quality PDF) that includes a selection of your finished projects.
• A self-evaluation report (minimum 4 pages in PDF format) detailing your learning experience, challenges overcome, skills developed, and areas for future improvement.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Review all previous tasks and select at least three standout projects to include in your portfolio.
2. Design a cohesive layout for your portfolio using Adobe Photoshop, ensuring a professional and visually appealing presentation.
3. Craft a detailed self-evaluation report that addresses your design thinking, technical approaches, and personal growth during the internship.
4. Incorporate elements such as before-and-after images, screenshots of your workspace, and annotated visuals that highlight your progress.

Evaluation Criteria:

• The cohesiveness and visual appeal of the portfolio design.
• Depth and honesty in the self-evaluation report, including insights into lessons learned and areas for future development.
• Technical proficiency displayed in the use of Adobe Photoshop throughout the projects.
• Overall professionalism and presentation quality of the submitted deliverables.

This final comprehensive project is designed to take approximately 30 to 35 hours of work. It not only serves as a culmination of your internship experience but also provides you with a valuable asset that can be used to showcase your abilities to future employers in the field of graphic design.