As an intern from Germany, I had a unique and rich experience at Oblique Design. As my time here draws to a close, I want to share the experiences that I’ve had so far.
Coming from a huge, corporate and perfectionist company like BMW, it was quite a drastic change to enter the small but highly fashionable Boulder advertising agency, Oblique. The team welcomed me with open arms and made me feel a part of the business before I even got started. Honestly, it was a great kick off to this whole new adventure, and I’m more than thankful they made it so easy for me. We Germans, especially, are relatively stiff and distanced around people we don’t know and it takes quite some time for us to open up.
Some of you might be asking: ‘how did you choose an advertising agency based in Boulder; a little hippie town that the majority of Americans might not even know about?’ Great question! I got asked that a minimum of 10 times (I’m not exaggerating)! The answer is actually quite straightforward; Oblique Design partnered with BMW for a photoshoot in Barcelona and Munich for a Performance Parts consumer catalog. Janice, founder of Oblique and Helga, my previous boss at BMW, collaborated on many projects together. Helga liked me as a person as well as my work ethic,and suggested I ask Janice if she is in need of a new intern. I instantly knew that it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse, especially to gain experience in a small creative design agency. Plus, who wouldn’t want to spend time in the beautiful nature of Colorado, surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains?
Even though I’m neither a designer nor an account assistant, the team always supplied me with a fair amount of work. My daily tasks ranged from writing blog posts to research projects. I also had duties such as helping our Account Manager to set up weekly reports for clients and discussing taglines.
We sometimes have lunch with the team to re-fill our creative minds with new energy and brilliant ideas. It’s crazy that I would describe the team here as friends rather than colleagues (even though some of them are over 40!). Not only is it fun and refreshing to come to the office every morning, but it’s also full of new challenges and experiences.
The work schedule is diverse in many ways, due in part to the different types of projects we get and the various kinds of companies we get them from. Our main focus here at Oblique Design is branding, interactive design, print design and strategic marketing.
At the end of the day, I enjoy my free time exploring the charming corners and little shops of Pearl street or chillaxing down at the Boulder Creek. I also spend lots of time hiking and chatting with the local farmers at the Boulder Farmer’s Market.
Overall, I’m more than happy to be part of this little Boulder family here at Oblique Design. I can’t believe I’m already leaving in less than a month. It is challenging to find the right words to express my gratitude to be part of this unforgettable and life changing experience. Thank you Oblique Design, thank you Helga, and thank you Boulder for making this time one of the best experiences I have had so far.