Interview #1 - Lorrie Richards

Introduction

Lorrie worked as a graphic design intern at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. She worked on numerous projects, including design work for the Ventura County Fair exhibit, creating various flyers for the Park Service, as well as giving input on wayside projects.

Why did you want to become an intern?

In the field of graphic design, most companies preferthat you have some practical experience after college before they hire you, and I felt that the Park Service would be a great place to obtainit.

Which field(s) interest you?

Graphic design, and I have an interest also in botany and wildlife, and I plan to train as a docent for Topanga State Park.

How much time did you commit to your internship?

A little over two months.

Tell us about your college career.

This is a second career for me. I have two degrees: one in court reporting and one in graphic design. I enjoy school and I may continue to take courses to enhance my skills.

What have you gained from your experience as an intern?

I learned to pay close attention to detail when working on projects. Also, input on my projects by numerous co-workers really helped to fine-tune my work.

Do you feel your goals for this internship have been met?

Yes. I feel that certain design principles were reinforced for me, and I had a very positive working relationship with the employees in the Interpretation Division.