May Week 3 Reflection – Arina

What genre of music best represents your work environment or experience at your co-op placement?

The song would definitely be lo-fi chill-hop, something mellow, rhythmic, and atmospheric. This genre mirrors the vibe of working at U+, which is calm yet productive. It represents the steady pace of working on content creation, where I’m able to focus deeply while letting my creativity flow without pressure. Just like lo-fi music helps you concentrate, U+ provides an environment where I can zone in on tasks, whether I’m in person or remote, and produce meaningful, visually appealing content

What part of your day do you secretly look forward to at your co-op placement?

The part I always look forward to is designing posts on Canva. It’s where I get to express myself creatively by choosing layouts, colors and fonts, and making sure each post aligns with our brand while standing out visually. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a blank canvas slowly transform into a finished product. Plus, knowing that my work will be seen by an audience gives me a sense of purpose. It’s more than just making things look nice, it’s about communicating a message effectively through design.

If you could win an award for your work during your co-op placement, what would it be and why?

I think I would win the “Creative Visionary” Award because I bring ideas to life through visuals. From creating Instagram graphics to helping shape the look and feel of outreach, I’ve developed an eye for what grabs attention and what makes content both informative and aesthetically strong. I also take feedback seriously and apply it in my revisions, which shows that I’m not only creative but adaptable and open-minded. I’ve also demonstrated consistency and reliability in taking initiative with social posts.

What task have you recently accomplished that would surprise past you starting on your first day here?

Something I never expected to happen was having one of my designs chosen by a supervisor to be posted on our social media page. On day one, I was still learning the tools and trying to understand the brand’s visual style. By this point, not only do I understand the style, but I’m confident in creating within it—and even suggesting new ideas. Having my work selected to go public made me feel validated and proud. It showed me how far I’ve come in just a short time, and it motivated me to keep improving.