FINAL REFLECTION

Challenges, successes, and my final report.

Challenge

One of the biggest challenges for me during this internship was working with limited direction. I didn’t always know what was expected, and communication was sometimes unclear or delayed. That forced me to figure things out on my own in a way that I wasn’t used to.

Success

Because of that, I actually became more independent and confident in my decision-making. I learned how to set my own checkpoints, review my work without relying on constant feedback, and trust my judgment even when I didn’t have all the information. It pushed me to grow in patience, resourcefulness, and clarity as a designer.

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Challenge

Another challenge was spending almost the entire internship focused on just one central project without understanding much about the larger interior or the firm’s overall work. It sometimes felt repetitive and creatively limiting because I didn’t have broader context or variety.

Success

But that focus also ended up sharpening my eye for detail. By revising the similar peices over and over, I became more intentional about proportions, materials, and balance. I was abale to noticed patterns in my own style, and gained clarity about what feels right to me as a designer. It helped me refine my taste in a way I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.

Final Thoughts

Final Report Question:

What empirical skills were acquired during the internship in interior design and architecture?

During my internship, I strengthened several practical, measurable skills that are essential in interior design and architecture. I improved my technical abilities in digital tools such as Photoshop, SketchUp, and Canva, becoming faster, more accurate, and more intentional in modeling, rendering, and creating clear visual presentations. I also developed stronger drafting skills and a clearer understanding of professional drawing standards and documentation. In addition, the independence required in the studio sharpened my ability to evaluate my own work, set internal checkpoints, refine design details through repetition, and make confident design decisions without constant feedback. Together, these experiences helped me build technical precision, design judgment, and a more defined personal design voice.

observation of

Cultural Experience & Results

My “data” was gathered through daily cultural observation in the studio, especially small routines like being offered espresso every morning. It took me about a week to stop panicking and simply say yes, and another week to realize the caffeine was making me anxious and start awkwardly declining again. I also observed how busy and fast-paced the office truly was, which challenged the stereotype that Italians are relaxed or slow-moving.

From my cultural and workplace observations, I learned how daily routines, communication patterns, and office pace shaped my experience. I realized that studio culture can strongly influence confidence, clarity, and creativity, especially when feedback is limited. These insights helped me better understand what environments support my best work.

Dear

FADD ARCHITECTS

My experience at your studio taught me a great deal about design, independence, and the realities of practice, but it also revealed areas where small adjustments could greatly improve the internship experience.

I would encourage you to establish clearer expectations at the beginning of the internship and provide more consistent check-ins throughout the design process. Even brief moments of feedback or clarification can make a significant difference in helping interns stay aligned with the project’s goals.

Additionally, offering basic project context, such as how a piece fits into a larger interior or how decisions support the firm’s overall vision, would help interns understand their role more fully and contribute with more confidence. With a few structural improvements to communication and onboarding, I believe the internship program could become far more supportive, enriching, and reflective of the studio’s strengths.

Dear

Future Intern

You’re stepping into an environment that may challenge you in unexpected ways, but you’ll grow if you stay open and proactive.

Be prepared to work independently and trust your instincts, especially when guidance is limited. Don’t hesitate to ask direct questions or clarify expectations early. Advocating for yourself is a skill that will serve you well here and in your career.

Take detailed notes, stay observant, and create your own structure when the studio pace feels overwhelming or unclear. Most importantly, stay flexible and self-motivated. If you approach the internship with curiosity and confidence, you’ll come away with skills, clarity, and a stronger sense of the designer you’re becoming.

And always say yes to espresso, unless it makes you anxious.

improvments for me

I could have improved by speaking up more, whether that meant asking for clarification earlier, expressing when I needed guidance, or requesting more context about the project I was working on. I also recognized that I tend to hesitate before advocating for myself, especially in unfamiliar professional settings, and developing that confidence will be essential moving forward. Overall, these reflections helped me understand both the strengths I developed during the internship and the communication habits I need to strengthen as I continue growing as a designer.