Ever wonder what it’s like to work with us? While it might look like all fun and games on our Instagram, we really do work hard. One thing we pride ourselves on is recruiting new talent for our internships each year. It’s important for us to help students learn and grow as professionals and honestly they keep us young (who else would be able to tell us what’s cool these days?)

This year our graphic design intern, Allie, made quite the impact on our team and lucky for us, she has accepted a full-time position with us after graduation. So who better to give you the inside scoop on interning at AR than our newest hire.

Tell us about yourself…

My name is Allie Meeker, I’m from Lima, OH and I’m a soon-to-be graduate from the University of Findlay (woot woot), majoring in Graphic Design with minors in Marketing and Art History.

Fun facts about me:

I bowl, how exciting. My best game is 267 and 3 game series is 723 (not to flex).
I am a big fan of Harry Styles and Olivia O’brien.
Other things I do for fun are watch TikToks, hang out with my friends, go on walks, and take naps.

What made you want to intern at AR Marketing?

Honestly, I was panicking about what I was going to do for a summer job but I had also heard great things about AR. From what I was told, it was a great environment to be a part of, fun, great client work, and some alumni worked there. I knew that I would gain great experience and I would get to see both sides of the design and marketing industry that you don’t really see in a classroom setting.

What is your role at AR?

The girl who gets groceries, occasionally takes the recycling to the plant, and the graphic design intern.

Walk me through a typical work week as an intern…

Typically in my work week, I start out by working on any weekly assignments that I have for clients like Apple-A-Day, Redner’s Markets, and Easy Eats. Once I get that done, I help other designers with their workload by creating grocery store graphics for our social media managers. I usually finish my day by editing images for Apple-A-Day.

I also check the fridge, drinks, and snack drawer to see if a trip to the store is needed that week or not. It isn’t all work all the time though, I socialize with my coworkers and have mental breaks to help get me through the day.

What did you like most about your internship?

The thing I like most about my internship is all the knowledge that I have gained about creating graphics for social media as well as print. I also love how friendly everyone is here and how willing they are to help me learn new things.

Getting to work at a place where people socialize, are insanely knowledgeable in marketing and design, participate in the occasional beer-thirty, and meet once every week to discuss what’s going on and give updates? *Chefs Kiss*

Plus, I get to create all day and in my own style when the opportunity presents itself. It is definitely a work environment that is one of a kind.

What did you like the least about your internship?

Editing Apple-A-Day images. Imagine this, you have to take pictures of over 3,000 products, about 2-3 images each leaving you with around 8,000-9,000 pictures to completely edit and rename. Could you possibly name something much more fun than this? I can. That's all I have to say.

Oh, and taking stuff to the recycling center, paper is heavier than you think and I do not have upper body strength at all. And having to carry it down steps to your car and numerous trips? Gonna have to come up with a pulley system for the stairs I tell ya.

What is something you learned as an intern?

Prior to coming in, I really did not enjoy using Adobe InDesign but in the almost one year of being here, it has become my go-to application. I learned not to be afraid to ask questions, no one here is going to tell you no because they want to see you succeed as well.

I also learned time management. Some days are slower than others but when you have a project presented to you, don’t push it off. Set up a timeline of when to work on projects by due dates and how long it will take for you to complete each project so you get everything done on time.

What is something you contributed to the agency?

Hmmm….how to organize the work fridge.

Business side, I would say helping out the team when they were overwhelmed with work, especially during the winter quarter with holidays and a full-time designer being out on maternity leave. I could offer another set of hands to help design content during a busy season!

What were some of your favorite projects?

One of my favorite projects was when we had to create the logos for Lowe’s. It helped me gain experience in creating logos because they’re not my favorite thing to do. Plus, since there was such a quick turnaround for them, it gave me a fast-pace design project that forced me to create rather than pushing it aside.

I also like the projects where I get to make social media posts and graphics. Although you’re sticking to brand style guides for some of the projects, there is still a good amount of creative freedom.

Another project I liked was making the advertisement booklet for the City of Findlay Recreation Department. It was one of the first times sending a project out to a print shop and getting quotes for it. I enjoyed it because it was a great learning opportunity and there was no set design for it. It was all up to my imagination.

Tell us about the good times…

One would have to be the day we went to the fair. It was such a last-minute idea but it was one of the first times I really got to bond with everyone.

Another memory is when Taylor Swift rereleased her album Red and we spent the day listening to it in the office. I always love figuring out people’s music tastes and I didn’t expect other people to be excited to listen to it that day but I was wrong!

What’s next for you?

Continuing to work at AR knowing that I can come home from work and not have a 10 page paper or homework that’s due anymore.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role?

Getting a more in-depth look at what it is like to work with clients. I’m also looking forward to working with more people in the office!