My Own Little Office - Shazia Ismael

During my first Internship I was able to get a taste of the new working world first hand. I worked with a Creative Agency on a Project for Netflix. I was working under a creative director who would arrange 2 weekly meetings over the phone to give me feedback on my progress. I quickly learned how to articulate my work over the phone while accompanying it with a pdf. I was able to produce work that I am now proud to put into my portfolio and I can say that it was created in the midst of a Global Pandemic.


Another key aspect of New Agency is how much self start companies and independent companies are thriving. People have taken existing skills to start new initiatives. A lot of people, including creatives, needed more time to make their small dreams a reality. Lockdown has given them that time. A primary case study is the start up company I am working for right now. A couple who has been thinking about starting their own product line for a long time are now working towards launching their products early 2021. I have been appointed as a designer for their small company. I am currently responsible for packaging design as well as possibly creating assets for social media and their website. Working from home has presented its own challenges though I am loving every minute. I have been able to become a lot more confident presenting though a camera. Communication has always been one of my strong points and though initially I found communication through technology a challenge I have been able to develop my skills as well as learn new techniques. In addition to refining skill I have also been trying to adapt my own career goals to adhere to this new world. I had always dreamed on sitting at my own desk in an office working for a company as a designer. That has not been possible however by taking my own initiative I have taken an area of my house and turned it into ‘my own personal desk’ what was once a dining table no one used it is now a make shift desk with my laptop and my notebook. I have become my own agent of design by making personal changes in my creative practise to make my ambition a current reality.

My Own personal Work Space

When talking about personal projects this new world has also inspired me to pursue my own creative project. I had never thought that I would aspire to be my own boss. However I am currently working towards my own collaborative start up. We aim to create a support system to help aspiring creatives. I have been able to use my skills that I have developed while remote working to coordinate meetings and create substantial work that we aim to get going in December. How have I changed as a designer? I am no longer someone who has a narrow view of where I want to end up in the creative industry and I guess I have the Global Pandemic to thank (words I never thought I would say).


The creative industry has always been an important aspect of our world. I believe it acts as a form of security and we as creatives are the drive to that security. 







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