During my full-time semester internship with Clearstory, a San Francisco–based design studio specializing in wayfinding, signage, and environmental graphic design, I had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a team dedicated to connecting people to place through thoughtful storytelling, spatial communication, and brand integration. Known for its multidisciplinary approach, Clearstory works across sectors including healthcare, higher education, parks and recreation, and public institutions.

As part of a interdisciplinary team of designers, I participated in a wide range of projects and design phases. My primary responsibilities included developing design solutions for wayfinding and signage strategies, applying brand standards to production art, and preparing working files for internal teams and fabrication partners. I played an active role in conceptual ideation, as well as in the development of final artwork for fabrication, gaining exposure to the entire lifecycle of environmental graphic design projects.

Throughout the internship, I became increasingly comfortable offering ideas and taking initiative, which helped me grow not only as a designer but as a communicator and collaborator. One standout project involved developing interpretive panels for a public park in San Francisco. This was an opportunity that allowed me to work with bilingual content in both English and Spanish, and expand upon existing brand language while adding a fresh design perspective.

Working full-time in-person in the heart of San Francisco challenged me both professionally and personally. As someone who had never lived outside Ohio, moving across the country to pursue this opportunity was a leap that pushed me far outside my comfort zone. However, I quickly found inspiration in the city’s vibrancy and creative energy, and pride in navigating this transition independently. I left with a deeper confidence in my skills, a greater sense of ownership in my work, and a clearer understanding of the role experiential design plays in shaping the way people move through and connect with the built environment.