The skills and knowledge I gained during the IMD program exceeded my expectations. I was nervous to start placement because I didn't know what to expect. I was having self-doubts regarding my skills and abilities, but as soon as I started placement that quickly disappeared. All of the work I produced exceeded my employer’s expectations. I think I'm a great example of how well the professors teach this program. When I started IMD, I had zero experience or knowledge in any of the courses that are taught.
I learnt way more than I was expecting to during placement. Any time I had a question or was unsure about anything everyone was very attentive and took the time to explain or get the answers I needed. I learnt animating and graphic design in school but I was able to put all my time and focus on it. I expanded my knowledge a great deal during the last 4 months. I learnt a lot about the general workflow with animating and illustrating, reinforced my knowledge of graphic design principles, document and exporting format for print. In addition I developed my creativity and worked on my own professional development throughout this experience.
In terms of getting the feeling of what it will be like working with several people and the general workplace environment, it was excellent. I had to collaborate on projects that many other people were contributing to, have meetings, update projects other people had done, and meet the expectations of more than one person for a project. Not only do I feel well prepared for my upcoming career, but I also discovered my love for animating and illustrating through placement. I am now searching for a career in those fields!
The student work placement in IMD is an important transition between school and career. If I would have had to start career searching directly after my courses were complete, I would not have felt ready. I gained a lot of knowledge and it has boosted my confidence immensely.