My name is Ethan Wong and I am a sophomore
Graphic Design major. During the summer of 2018, I was a print intern for The CW Television Network, an American English-language broadcast television
network based in Burbank, California. Working in the entertainment industry had
always interested me because I was heavily invested in many of the TV shows
that The CW had to offer, and I felt that I could learn a lot about how TV
networks create their posters and advertisements. I found out about this
opportunity through a reference from a family member, after which I met with
the Executive Creative Director, Rick Frey. After a brief interview, I showed
him my resume and portfolio. He was kind enough to offer me a position over the
summer where I would be working with art directors, retouchers, and publishers.
For the most part, I worked with Elizabeth
O’Brien, a Senior Brand Manager in charge of managing assets for the Print
department. I was involved in many projects for upcoming shows. For the new
show All American, I designed posters and logos that were shown to top
executives within the company. I also worked on character singles and key art
for shows such as Riverdale, Jane the Virgin, Arrow, and The 100. I was
responsible for generating ideas that focused on composition, mood, and
environment for the various shows I worked on. I am most proud of increasing my
skill in Photoshop, because I was surrounded by many professionals who taught
me techniques and basic skills. The most important thing I learned was that you
have to generate so many ideas in order to confidently settle on a final
concept. I have acquired various technical skills as well as social and
creative skills. I am able to communicate my ideas more fluidly and receive
feedback with ease.
I am glad I took this opportunity to explore
the entertainment business. Indeed, I found that working on TV shows day in and
day out tended to be overwhelming at times. I believe I may be better suited
for more technology-oriented companies, with a focus in web design and UI/UX.
