James Olichney, Product/Brand Designer, Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment
James Olichney is a second-year MIMS student with interests in design, human-computer interaction, and art. Prior to the I School, James received his bachelor’s in cognitive science, specifically design and interaction, from UC San Diego. This summer, he interned at the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, a museum dedicated to digital art and gaming, with fully playable gaming exhibits in Oakland, CA.
Describe a typical day at your internship.
Each day I’d wake up, take the BART to the museum in Oakland, and do my work on site! I’d usually get half an hour of great feedback with my design mentors or general directors each day, but much of my work was self-directed. I’d stay there until the museum closed around 5 pm, and do some work later in the night if I felt up for it. It was also nice being there at a game museum and playing retro games on the floor during my breaks.
While I worked at the museum, I designed and shipped signage for the museum floor, educational handouts, a highway billboard, and a brand guidelines book!
What was the most valuable thing you learned at your internship?
I saw the real value of a design mentorship. Getting 1-on-1 feedback from experienced product/brand designers changed everything, and my work wouldn’t be half as good without their input!
What was the biggest challenge?
Working at a non profit can be a bit chaotic but exciting! The lovely part is that everyone is super passionate about their work and about the museum. The chaotic part comes from the lack of traditional corporate hierarchies and each volunteer being limited in the time they can spend with you (because they often have a full time job outside of the museum).
Being willing to be flexible and take initiative in starting new projects was really important.
How did your work at the I School prepare you for this role?
My classes at the I School gave me experience working with nonprofits and improved my visual design skills. Both ended up being very useful.
Any advice for first-year MIMS students as they prepare for their internships?
The I School has a nonprofit grant (deadline is in late April), so you can do paid work with a nonprofit of your choosing over the summer—which is what I did!
Did your internship influence your career plans after graduation?
Yes! The internship made me more interested in visual/brand design. I think I’ll lean towards more visual design or brand-focused roles from now on. Also, working at a museum is very fun and fulfilling! I’ll be seeking out more of those as well.
