Career-Ready: Graphic and Interactive Design Major Interning for Responsival, a Digital Marketing Agency

Meet Alysse Baer '21

Job Title & Employer: Digital Design Intern, Responsival
Major/Program: Graphic and Interactive Design
College Activities: Graphic Design Club
Hometown: North Canton, Ohio
High School: Hoover High School
Hobbies & Interests: Playing video games, listening to music, playing bass guitar and caring for my pets

"Alysse was chosen to be a design intern because of her passion and willingness to learn. She was inquisitive in her interview and I could tell she had the drive to further her experience. Her previous designs were organized and unique, and her personality fit with Responsival’s culture of being flexible and a team player. We’re so lucky to have her! Alysse has excelled in her role so far because of her previous design experience and professional skills. She came in with tons of software knowledge and pays close attention to detail. She mentioned in her initial interview that her Interactive Design course inspired her and this has carried through her designs so far."

Miranda Piccolino, digital designer and supervisor

"I wanted to go to school in the Pittsburgh area, and after looking at surrounding schools, I decided that Point Park would be the university for me. It was one of the only schools in the area with a program solely focused on graphic design."

Alysse Baer '21

What factors led you to pursue a degree in graphic and interactive design from Point Park?

I wanted to go to school in the Pittsburgh area, and after looking at surrounding schools, I decided that Point Park would be the university for me. It was one of the only schools in the area with a program solely focused on graphic design.

Tell us about the work you do as a digital design intern at Responsival.

At Responsival, digital design interns are to select a business local to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or Columbus, that they believe would benefit from an updated digital design. After selecting a business, digital interns will then conduct a case study. This case study requires interns to build user journeys, create new branding and construct a new website for the business. The work at Responsival heavily revolves around human-centered design. Responsival's intern program does a great job at simulating a real-life project at a marketing agency, with a plethora of opportunities to learn things you wouldn't be able to learn in a classroom.

How have Point Park’s classes and faculty helped you excel in this internship?

Point Park’s Interactive Design class really prepared me for my internship at Responsival. In this class, I was taught the anatomy of a website, wireframes and HTML. I frequently use the information I was taught in this class as a digital design intern.

Why would you recommend Point Park’s graphic and interactive design program to a prospective student?

I would recommend Point Park’s graphic and interactive design program to students that are interested in careers in advertising and marketing. I think these are the fields this program best prepares students for, given the offered courses and the location of the university.

What are your career goals?

Overall, I would really enjoy being an art director for agencies like Responisval. I really like the idea of working on different projects for several different clients. It keeps things interesting!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

At the end of the day, go with your gut! College is a turbulent time with a lot of changes. What you first thought would work for you, might not be the path you were meant to take. Welcome change with open arms, it will take you to great places.

Career-Ready: Graphic and Interactive Design Major Interning for Responsival, a Digital Marketing Agency Student Profile