My name is Eileen Blackman. I’m a third-year Graphic and Web Design student at John Abbott College. My short-term goals for my three-week work placement stage are to gain hands-on experience as a Graphic Designer in a professional workplace, strengthen my organization, communication, and creative skills and bring my ideas to the table even though I’m only an intern. I am eager to observe what it is like to work in a company with daily projects and deadlines.
This summer’s goal is to find a graphic design job, even if I have to start at the bottom like any other job. I also plan to grow my freelancing as a book designer for self-publishing authors by creating book covers, layouts, and character art, while sharing the design process and helping other self-publishing authors promote their books on social media and build a book community right before their book release date.
In five to ten years, I would be a book designer specialist and social media manager for self-publishing authors, helping them build a strong platform before their book releases. I also envision working at a publishing company alongside publishers, editors, and marketers as books cover designer, creating the next best sellers we are excited to release each month. I want my designs to be recognized across Canada or North America, becoming known for my creativity and storytelling illustrations. That’s the dream, to see my book designs displayed in stores and featured on shelves for those book lovers everywhere.
In my free time, I will continue designing my own book covers and layouts as I publish the next book in my series, while collaborating with self-publishing authors. I will keep doors open for new opportunities in the field, possibly working at home and raise my family, and still do what I truly love to do.