Emirati graphic designer going places following internship

Emirati graduate who worked on the opening event of the fort complex Qasr Al Muwaiji during her final year, reveals the value of an internship for your career.

Maryam bin Humaidan says every student should try it as it can increase job opportunities afterwards. Courtesy Maryam bin Humaidan

Maryam bin Humaidan is a freelance graphic designer who graduated from a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Zayed University in Dubai this year. During her final year of study, the Emirati completed an internship with the brand experience agency Action Impact. During the two-month stint she helped to produce the prestigious opening event at Qasr Al Muwaiji, the newly restored fort complex in Al Ain and the birthplace of Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE. In November, the fort opened its doors for the first time in more than 60 years. Here, the 23-year-old reveals the value of doing an internship before embarking on your career path.

How did you secure the internship?

I contacted a few companies and sent them my work profile, and a few contacted me back. There are a lot of opportunities for students; our country supports youth in many ways and that gives companies a chance to rise by supporting our [graduates] too.

What made you want to become a graphic designer?

I was always interested in art and design, but I didn’t really realise it when I started my degree. I majored first in multimedia design, and after taking the basic courses found myself leaning towards graphic design. One of my professors inspired me to change my major to graphic design. When I look at the presentations, the cards and the craftworks I did in primary and secondary school, I now realise I have always had the sense of an artist and designer.

What did your internship teach you?

It improved my work and design skills. Yet, the most important thing I learnt was how different real work is from university; how real it was, how important everything I did was and how a lot of people depended on it. It taught me how to be independent and how to make decisions. Of course I had to consult my work colleagues, but it was on me to make the final call.

How did you feel about working on the opening event for Qasr Al Muwaiji, a project so important to the leadership and heritage of the UAE?

I was honoured as it means a lot to us as Emiratis. I was so happy and proud, even if my actual role was small compared to the others.

What was your role?

I helped the creative and design team by file searching for relevant images and footage and providing insight and feedback on the UAE’s culture. I also designed labels and a vintage map that were used in the opening ceremony. The labels were used in the main showcase of Sheikh Khalifa’s possessions, which were exhibited in the museum. As for the map, I used the outlines of a real map that is not very old, and I used Adobe illustrator software to add some elements to the map, like Arabian Gulf writing and lines on the coastline, as were used in the very old maps. Then I used Adobe Photoshop to add rustic paper to the background of the map and I used filters to change the colour of the map. I sent this map to our creative director and he sent it to other designers to add the final touches.

Which other project were you involved in with Action Impact?

I worked on projects that relate to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), Mubadala, Aldar Properties and even Action Impact itself. Every project was different – for Enec I designed a website, and for Mubadala I helped create a pitch for the National Day celebration. With Action Impact I designed a new business card based on their new guidelines. Some of them worked and others didn’t, but it was fun to do different things each time. It was never boring.

Tell us about one standout project for you.

In my industry we pitch designs to clients for a lot of projects. Some get approved and some don’t. I participated in a project for PMI (Project Management Institute) where I designed icons to use as a dress code guide for an event. The client loved the design and approved it immediately. I created two characters wearing suitable and unsuitable clothes for the event. The client wanted them to be fun but not offensive; those were my guidelines.

How did the internship help you secure your first job?

I got a few job offers, including one from Action Impact but I still struggle a bit from my family on letting me work. That is why I decided to work as a freelancer.

How important are internships for those starting out in their career?

It is very important, because we as students come from a comfy place where we get to do things very slowly and consult our professors who know us very well. They give us the chance to learn and redo our projects. However, the workplace is different, you have to do things as fast as you can and as well as you can. An internship is somewhere between university and work life; it combines the positive and the negatives of both places, and every student should try it as it can increase job opportunities afterwards.

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