The Sampler

This semester, I interned with an up-and-coming music blog called The Sampler. The Sampler is great, because instead of having to browse a bunch of different music blogs to find new music in your favorite genre, you can get them all in the same place!

I worked as a marketing / PR intern. My responsibilities were mainly across social media networks; working on keeping the Twitter account updated, raising the Instagram following, as well as scouting out graphic design interns, advertisement space for promotional materials, and collecting and organizing artist and venue contact information.

The Sampler, based in Los Angeles, was a remote internship for me. This came with multiple challenges - mainly the fact that I was unable to physically meet with the other interns and collaborate with them on projects face-to-face. Although social media positions are easily done remotely all over the world, there's something left to be said about working collaboratively around a big table. Additionally, it ensures the whole team is on the same page working towards the same goals.

Working with the Sampler, I learned about keeping deadlines, making appointments with my supervisor (and how hard the time difference can be!), working under pressure, and how to contact artists and artist management in a professional manner.

Since I was younger, music has always been a major part of my day-to-day life; and it was great to be able to work with The Sampler this semester and get a rare behind the scenes look into the music industry that I've looked up to my whole life.

Fall Semester: Mission (almost) Accomplished

The fall semester of my senior year in college is coming to an end... quickly. Wow - I never thought I would say that statement. Considering I had never planned on attending college until my senior year of high school, I am extremely proud of myself. I accomplished a whole lot this semester... although I will admit I took on way more than I could appropriately handle. I have big dreams, and a lot of ambition - but I have to remember that I'm not superhuman, and if I spread myself too thin then I will not be able to produce my best work.

That being said, here are a few things that I designed this past semester:






In addition to working at my computer, I worked for The Sampler as an intern. I learned how to contact artists' management in search of things such as media passes, and had the opportunity to watch a little music blog really blossom over the course of a semester.

I had a little bit of additional income through my Etsy Shop. I design a variety of typographic prints and sell them for a small profit.


Passion Typographic Print by dontpanicdeanna
I also did some marketing for Spotify and Adobe Creative Cloud. Follow the links to try a free trial of Spotify and Creative Cloud, respectively. With a part-time job at Old Navy on top of all that! Oh, wait - I own a direct sales business as well over at Chloe + Isabel by Deanna.

I can't really say that I'll miss this semester! Though I accomplished a lot, I also wish I could have focused on classes more. Next semester I have a really great schedule with a great set of classes and teachers. It'll be much more conductive to learning, and I'll be sure to not take on too much!