Meet Matt. Affectionately known among the interns as Mustache Matt, this Lancaster, Pennsylvania native has had a career that is as interesting as he is: from burger-flipping to printmaking, glass-blowing to lumber yard-ing, Matt was a bit of renaissance man until he resolved to move to across the country to California, job or no job. Thankfully, Invisible Children snatched him up as our fall Graphic Design intern. Not only has Matt been a key player at Invisible Children as he designed our new defection flier used in a recent flier drop, but he is also one of the funniest interns around. We sat down with him to see what life as a Graphic Design intern was like.
What sets your internship apart from others and what impact are you able to make?
There are two things that have set my internship apart. First, other internships are infamous for giving you “mock” projects – here, I’ve been able to work on projects that matter. I was recently tasked with designing one of the defection fliers that will be dropped over LRA-affected areas of central Africa. The coolest part about this flier is that it’s not only a tool to weaken LRA power, but it’s enabling people to safely reintegrate into society. This is one of our most successful defection initiatives, so it’s pretty humbling to be a part of it
What made you want to intern at Invisible Children?
One of my professors encouraged me. She thought my talent and style would mesh well at Invisible Children and I was drawn to the location and the opportunity. When I interviewed with someone in HR, I realized how cool the people were. I learned more about Invisible Children during my first couple weeks being here than I knew before I applied, so that’s one thing that is important to keep in mind if you’re thinking of applying. I didn’t have years of experience with the company and the brand before coming, but I love it now that I’m here.
What does a typical day as a Graphic Design intern look like?
First, I pick out the type of music I want to listen to that day. Then I check the calendar for meetings and spend the day collaborating with various departments on a number of projects. I’ll sketch out ideas and try to merge my own creativity and the style that existed before I got here.
In one sentence, why do you love working at Invisible Children?
Because the cause is altruistic, the people are great to work with, and the level of professional creativity is spot-on.
What’s it like working and living with other interns?
Being 27, it’s definitely a readjustment to live with so many people, but all the other interns are really great. Instead of it being like, “Oh man, I live with a bunch of a$*%@#!,” it’s more like, “Okay, there’s just not that much room in the house.” It’s cool to meet people that have different interests. It’s easy to get stuck with people that have the exact same style and taste in music and pastimes as you, but the people in the house come from diverse backgrounds that are all so interesting. It’s nice to have your arm twisted into interacting with different kinds people, but I admit that it’s also nice to have your own pair of headphones sometimes.
What’s your favorite part about living in San Diego?
Everyone says the weather is the best – and it is really nice – but it makes working inside pretty hard! I love being close to downtown and exploring new places. There are also opportunities to make connections outside of Invisible Children, which is pretty huge. I’ve been able to acquire a lot of freelance work that I would not have been able to get if I was home in Pennsylvania.
Just for fun, I’m going to give you a word, and you’re going to tell me the first thing that comes to your mind.
Okay, but I’m really hungry so it might all be food-related associations.
COFFEE: Orange.
OFFICE CULTURE: Snake bite.
STAFF MEETINGS: Balloon.
FLIER: Philadelphia Flyers.
INTERNSHIP: Super Mario Brothers.
TATTOO: Flaming skull jumping out of a lion’s mouth while it’s being attacked by a shark.
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