Intern - Freelancer / Bennett Peji Design

I had the great opportunity to have an internship at Bennett Peji Design. I worked directly with Bennett Peji, co-founder of the AIGA Center for Cross-cultural Design and San Diego's first AIGA Fellow honoree. Under his tutelage, I gained insight into his past projects and his journey to becoming one of San Diego's well-known designers. Working with Bennett taught me not only how to create designs but also how to empathize with clients to create designs that are tailored to their needs. This approach to creating and collaboration has inspired me to continue to grow in my career. I also had the opportunity to work on several projects within his studio, ranging from designing print assets to creating digital mockups, such as the San Diego Asian District Sign project. Such opportunities allowed me to think outside the box, allowing me to see how some projects can be approached with unique solutions.

Overview

Convoy Gateway Sign - Concrete Ground Pattern

Among all the projects I was involved with, the one project I focused the most on was creating the ground pattern for the San Diego Asian District Sign. I approached this task by following the hexagonal shape of the pedestal base to create several geometrical ground patterns. Some of my proposed designs for the ground patterns utilize simple patterns that blend with the rotating appearance of the pedestal. Others focus on more complex overlapping designs that work in tandem with the distinctive sign. I also designed the patterns with a neutral color palette to create contrast with the colorful sign. The entire project, including some of my contributions, was officially announced in June 2023 by the City of San Diego. The project itself is currently in the process of obtaining the appropriate permits for construction. Some of my contributions and other aspects of the sign’s design are also being refined in anticipation of its final construction in the near future.