In conversation with Cassie Muskett, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
I’m Cassie, a third-year Graphic Communication student at Norwich University of the Arts. I’m passionate about brand identity design and advertising, so this course has been a great fit for me.
Having lived in Norwich my whole life, I am extremely lucky that one of the best graphic design universities in the UK is right here in my hometown! Choosing Norwich University of the Arts was an easy decision for me. I was drawn to its amazing facilities, the experienced tutors and the inspiring graphics talk series program, which features some of the top designers from across the UK.
Being a student at Norwich has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had countless amazing opportunities, worked on exciting projects and received so much support from tutors who have helped me grow both creatively and professionally.
At the end of my second year, my tutor Andy introduced our class to an incredible opportunity: the chance to win an internship with the agency Chaos Design. To apply, we submitted a small sample of our portfolios and answered a few questions about why we were interested in the internship. After being shortlisted, I was invited to an interview with Peter, the Creative Founder and James, the Creative Director of Chaos Design.
Although I was extremely nervous before my interview, I quickly felt at ease presenting my work to them. It turned out to be an enjoyable experience, pitching my best projects to industry professionals. In the end, Peter and James selected me as the winner of the internship and I could not be more happy or grateful to them.
My course has prepared me exceptionally well for opportunities like this. We regularly work on challenging, industry-standard briefs that help develop essential design and communication skills. On top of that, our tutors are incredibly knowledgeable, sharing their valuable industry experience and offering constant guidance on how to set ourselves up for success in the professional world.
During my time at Chaos Design, I took on a variety of responsibilities, including developing ideas, conducting visual research, and assisting senior designers with logo designs and branding projects. From day one, I was welcomed as part of the team, joining staff and client meetings and gaining valuable insight into the inner workings of an agency with diverse roles and responsibilities.
A typical day for me started at 9:00 am. After making coffee, I’d get briefed on my tasks for the day, often working closely with my mentor, Louis, on branding projects. Lunchtime was a chance to recharge, followed by a staff catch-up meeting and conversations with senior creatives to see what they were working on. My day usually wrapped up at 5:30 pm, though I often stayed later simply because I was enjoying the work so much.
One of the biggest challenges I faced during the internship was learning to trust my skills and experience. There were moments, especially when I was working independently, when I had to resist the urge to constantly seek reassurance. I quickly realised that I didn’t need someone looking over my shoulder all the time; I had to trust that I was on the right track.
Another challenge was adjusting to the long office hours. As a student, I was used to a more flexible schedule during my summer break—staying up late and waking up later in the day. Shifting to a structured 9-to-5 workday was an adjustment, and I often found myself feeling tired after lunch. It took time to adapt to the rhythm of office life, but I eventually got used to it.
During my internship, I was able to refine my design process, particularly when it came to quickly generating and refining ideas. I learnt how to work efficiently under tight time constraints, realising that there’s no room for wasting time—sticking to the schedule is essential.
I also picked up new skills in Illustrator, discovering advanced effects, and learnt various typesetting tricks in InDesign from the senior creative, Paul. Additionally, I gained valuable experience in presenting my ideas effectively by learning how to craft a compelling elevator pitch.
One of the most unexpected insights I gained was discovering the wide range of roles within a design agency and how each one is equally important to the overall success of the studio. I had no idea how much happens behind the scenes to keep a design agency running smoothly, and it was fascinating to see how all the different parts of the team come together to make it work.
My best advice for future interns is to make the most of every moment. You get out what you put in, so don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Take every opportunity to learn from the senior designers and absorb as much knowledge and experience as you can. And remember, they’re people too—so relax and enjoy the process!
