I can hardly believe that my internship at Allegro is coming to an end. Before I started, I was familiar with Allegro through OFFCUT and various design studio projects. However, I had little idea of what to expect from an internship in a print company, especially given the limited insights from my lecturers and peers. So, I thought it would be valuable to take a moment to share my own experiences here.
→ What I’ve done!
At Allegro, I worked closely with its sub-brands, primarily Oolors, OFFCUT, and the platform After*print. One of my primary responsibilities was managing the social media accounts for Oolors and After*print. This role involved overseeing content creation, writing engaging copy, organising the posting schedule, and handling the actual posting of content. These tasks allowed me to enhance my social media management skills significantly.
I had the opportunity to lead a product shoot for Oolors, focusing on Washi Tape, Concept Tape, and our newly curated products. Responsibilities included deciding on the art direction, directing the shoot, and managing the post-editing process. This experience strengthened my photography and Adobe Lightroom skills, allowing me to refine my technical abilities.
In addition, I expanded existing content series on After*print, such as #unknownunknowns and #humanelement, and launched my internship diaries. The #humanelement series evolved from a simple Instagram feature into a blog post on Oolors!
Beyond social media and content creation, I engaged in hands-on tasks such as creating spatial arrangements and graphics for pop-ups, designing notepads for OFFCUT, and managing various ad hoc duties like packing products and typesetting our in-house product catalogues.
Lastly, I had the invaluable opportunity to work on two live client projects. The first was a National Day banner design for the 77 Robinson Road building. It was my first experience working on such a large canvas, and I was truly surprised by the size of the printed banners. Seeing my work displayed so prominently was exciting. The second project involved redesigning calendar sticker graphics.
→ Memorable experiences
One of my most memorable experiences was participating in the GreenHouse Pop-Up at New Bahru as someone who has always dreamed of running my own small business. My responsibilities included spatial arrangement, social media promotion, and assisting with booth setup and management.
At first, I struggled with approaching customers and starting conversations, especially during the media preview. Functioning with a lean team pushes and challenges me to step out of my comfort zone. By the end of the event, I found it much easier to connect with attendees and chat with other brand owners/vendors.
→ Challenges & Lessons Learned
One of the biggest challenges I faced during my internship was my initial hesitation to take initiative and ask questions, especially in unfamiliar situations. Thankfully, my supervisor, Azelia, consistently encouraged me to share my ideas and check in on my progress. Her support made me feel more comfortable seeking guidance and proposing new concepts.
At first, I found both copywriting and photo editing challenging. Copywriting was initially one of my weaker skills, and I struggled to convey my ideas effectively. However, through consistent practice with Instagram captions and blog writing, I gradually sharpened my abilities in my language and writing.
While I had some prior experience in photography and editing from school, it took me a little longer to recall and apply those skills in a professional setting, especially for product photography and post-editing. Additionally, I gained production knowledge through hands-on tasks such as learning to use a plastic sealer machine while packing OFFCUT notepads and lacquering wood while making wooden storage covers for our pop-up.
However, my most significant takeaway has been enhancing my work practices. While my school projects often lacked meticulous attention to detail, my time at Allegro has taught me the importance of precision and thoroughness in my work.
→ Last words…
Reflecting on my internship at Allegro, I realise how limited our print experience was in school. I am grateful for the openness of everyone here, who allowed me to explore various print projects. This opportunity has significantly expanded my knowledge of print and deepened my appreciation for this craft and the talented individuals behind it.
Although I still have much to learn and improve upon, my time here has helped me grow as a designer, thanks to the diverse experiences and constructive feedback I’ve received. I want to thank Azelia for her invaluable guidance and my colleagues for their kindness and support!
With that, I’m signing off on my last day at Allegro. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
