Education in Action (Co-op)

At DAAP, co-op experiences aren’t just resume builders—they’re opportunities to figure out what kind of designer you want to be. Up until that point, I had only worked in Cincinnati, so for my last co-op, I made a promise to myself: I was going to move, explore a new city, and see what kind of work environment best suited me. In one of my past co-ops, I had been part of a design team, collaborating and bouncing ideas off other creatives. In another, I was the only designer, responsible for making all creative decisions on my own. Both experiences were valuable, but I wanted to know—what did I really see myself doing for the rest of my life?

That’s where Good Fake came in. Based in Columbus, this creative agency had an impressive client list, including FX Network, Uber, Disney, NBA 2K, SoundCloud, Comedy Central, Epic Games, Def Jam, Dell, and Sony. When I got the call that I had landed the role, I was beyond excited. It was everything I had worked toward—packing up my life, moving to a new city, and diving headfirst into a company doing the kind of work I dreamed about.

And then, on my very first day, I met Alex, my creative director. He looked at me, handed me a folder, and said, “Yeah, I got this music festival that you could rebrand if you’re not busy.”

That was it. No warm-up assignments. No small tasks. Just, here’s an entire music festival—figure it out.

The festival was called Into the Woods Fest, a local event in Bexley, Ohio, and my job was to completely redesign its visual identity. That meant everything—from large-scale banners and gig posters to sponsorship signage, merchandise, production coordination, and website updates. Even things like bar signage had to be reimagined. I was thrown straight into a real-world project that wasn’t just about making things look good—it had to function.

I spent the next month immersed in this project, managing production details, working with printers, and ensuring the branding felt cohesive across every touchpoint. I had never felt more in it—designing something that would actually be seen and experienced by real people.

That’s what DAAP’s Communication Design program gave me—the ability to take something from an idea to a tangible, real-world impact. In class, we learn about typography, branding, and user experience, but co-op is where it all clicks. You don’t just make projects for a grade—you create work that people interact with.

Looking back, Into the Woods Fest wasn’t just another project. It was proof that I had chosen the right career. It was the moment I realized that design isn’t just about making things pretty—it’s about telling stories, building experiences, and creating something that connects with people.

For any high school student wondering what it’s like to study Communication Design, I’d say this: If you love creativity but also want to think strategically, if you want to see your work come to life outside of a classroom, and if you want to be part of something bigger, this might just be the path for you.

While the school does a very good job at preparing us for interviews and job placement, it is equally important to take things into your own hands. Speaking of interviews, you really cannot predict what is going to happen, but after you go on your first one, the rest are a breeze. The biggest thing that helped me with interviews is to study my resume and portfolio; the better you know it, the easier it is for you to talk about yourself. Also, it really helps if you have been on an interview before. So, I suggest you take advantage of the mock interviews the advisors set up from employers, classmates, and/or themselves. Or even better, an interview or two for randoms jobs around the city would get you comfortable with the interview jitters. 

In interviews the best thing to keep in mind is that they are human, too. From my experience, they will most likely ask you what you hope to learn most while working there, this is to help ensure their position can meet your learning expectations. Some things I always share are- building my urban planning vocabulary, finding my personal communication style, solidifying my ideal planning career, and gaining confidence in taking initiatives. Along with that, always be prepared with your strengths and weaknesses, specific things you enjoy from your classes at school and life experiences. They know you are still a student, so it is important to stand out from your classmates in a unique way. When I have spoken with employers, they say the biggest thing they are looking for is communication style in the way you answer your questions in your interview, so always have confidence.

As far as creating your resumes and portfolios, look on Pinterest! After you think you made something solid, seek feedback from a classmate whose work you admire. They will most likely be honest with you and help you point out its strengths and areas for improvement. We are so lucky that our program maximalizes our learning and growth by offering FIVE CO-OP rotations. So, this gives us many opportunities to learn from our mistakes and grow our portfolio and resume each time.

What I have enjoyed the most in my co-op so far is the amount of people I have met and being able to connect with them on LinkedIn (lol). I have met endless city workers and stakeholders along with people from all departments of my office, and they all have their own experiences for me to learn from. It is so important to network and make a good impression on the people you meet. The best part about an Urban Planning degree is that you never know where you may end up, so it is important to keep an open mind and try to imagine yourself in any related field, because anything is possible.  

So far, the biggest asset I have acquired is my overall confidence while in meetings, when working on projects, or even while forming professional relationships. Working alongside professionals has helped me be able to tackle complex situations and expect more of myself due to the fact that I am working with individuals that do this every day, all day. One of the biggest surprises I’ve experienced since working here is the difference between what an Urban Planner means to this office. I have learned that the meaning of an Urban Planner changes no matter where you go. The requirements and commitments will slightly change from city to city based on each community’s history and what they need. Following that, this co-op experience has allowed me to solidify the content I have learned while in school. For example, being able to work with a real comprehensive plan has reinforced what I have done with master plans while in studio. It has been awesome to have a fresh perspective and new set of expectations as an Urban Planner. As the semester continues, my biggest goal is to be able to absorb as much as I can from this office, carry it back to my classmates at DAAP, and of course, with myself for the rest of my life.  

The biggest question I had as a new student was- how much knowledge does a student bring with them into the professional world when hired for a co-op vs. how much did the employers teach on the job?

I think the best answer that I have learned so far is that they really do teach you a lot. As a student, you offer a fresh perspective and a broader vision of the Urban Planning field. In turn, they dedicate time to teaching you the essential logistics of any area you are interested in. Their expertise and specialized knowledge are invaluable for success in the profession.

Can you delve into your daily responsibilities and learning opportunities?

First, I must check my email a lot. That is the main way they communicate around the office, because there are so many moving parts, having it “on paper” is the best way they keep track of the stages of projects. My tasks usually entail the same type of projects the full-time planners are working on. We work a lot with the city/county officials. The best way I can describe it is, we are the bridge between the citizens and the branches of government. I also attend a lot of meetings for various interest groups and committees who have started initiatives around the county.