Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) eInternship
U.S. Department of State, Jul–Sep 2011
U.S. Department of State, Jul–Sep 2011
Collaborated with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Island Affairs to develop the logo identity for the 2011 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) held in San Francisco, CA.
Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speak at AUSMIN 2011 conference in San Francisco, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. (Press Photos by AP Images)
Screenshot taken from U.S. Department of State homepage
STATEMENT OF INTEREST
for the
Virtual Student Foreign Service eInternship
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for the
Virtual Student Foreign Service eInternship
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Submitted To and Accepted By:
U.S. Department of State, VSFS eInternship Program
U.S. Department of State, VSFS eInternship Program
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Good design bestows clarity, whimsy, conviction, and empathy. Beyond function, good design improves the aesthetic value of the messages being communicated; making a functional object more beautiful and emotionally engaging improves and enriches our human experience. Conversely, important messages are lost if communicated poorly or inappropriately. Clear and concise communication will also improve the efficiency of our government and its functions.
As a graphic designer, I am always honing my craft for more effective and engaging communication. I am passionate about shaping and influencing the visual experience; collaborating with others to tell better stories.
In 2009, I graduated from Principia College with a BA in Graphic Design. Throughout the last six years, I have developed solutions for a wide range of clients and industries — from packaging for Haitian commodities to Hollywood event posters. I have supported global corporations and startups in crafting and streamlining brand identities, marketing/promotional products, information graphics, and packaging.
After graduating college in 2009, I joined a consulting firm, working primarily on their proposal development team supporting companies like Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), DRS Technologies, and Boeing Employees' Credit Union (BECU). Throughout these competitive proposal efforts, I utilized my passion and aptitude as a visual communicator to help our clients better communicate their offer to their customer (most often, the U.S. Department of Defense). It was during these “real world” experiences that I became aware of the importance of good design and communication within proposals. They are a vital element in transmitting key and complex messages more clearly to the end user or target market. Through strategically designed graphics, clients can achieve a more attractive product, faster information transfer, and unique visual memory clues that become strong reference points for greater impact and recognition.
Today, I continue to expand my understanding of design to better myself and serve society. I strive to find more ways to utilize my strengths for the purpose of providing a public service and to increase both the magnitude and value of my impact. Participating in the VSFS eInternship would allow me the opportunity to provide a public service and collaborate with others to strengthen communication between the United States and foreign nations. I would be proud to contribute to the success of the State Department’s diplomatic engagements. And it would be an honor to have the opportunity to utilize my strengths as a designer in serving and supporting our nation’s endeavors.
— Lucas W. Snell —
