I ask a lot of questions when I meet new people. Thanks to a Strengths Finder survey we’re doing here at J.O. (blog post to come), I’ve discovered that this is a special gift and not an annoying habit. Our new design intern, Courtney Reece, might feel differently. I’ve spent the last two weeks interrogating her. I am fascinated with the fact that this girl graduated two weeks ago on a Saturday and then packed her bags and hauled them to Fort Worth the following Sunday. Her family is back in Borger, Texas (it’s a small town in west Texas. We didn’t know either.), so Courtney knows exactly nine people in Fort Worth. They all work at J.O. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Me: Why did you pick graphic design as your major?

Courtney: I have always loved art, any and every medium. However, I always found myself fascinated with how factors such as image, color and even different typefaces can evoke many varying responses from people, which led me to graphic design.

Me: Wow. That was really beautiful. Now, can you make this logo bigger?

Me: What is your favorite thing about design/advertising?

Courtney: The excited feeling you get when you come up with an idea you feel is just brilliant.

Me: Yeah, I have that sensations a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

Me: What is your least favorite thing about design/advertising?

Courtney: The fact you can never be completely satisfied with a project and feeling there’s always ways you can improve it. (However, I don’t guess that’s totally a bad thing.)

Me: We have Prozac in the kitchen for those days… but you didn’t hear that from me.*

Me: When you were in drudgery of earning your degree what kind of job did you picture yourself getting?

Courtney: I’ve pictured myself working in an agency environment. I love this atmosphere because you’re constantly able to receive feedback and bounce ideas back and forth with someone.

Me: So Mad Men had nothing to do with it?

Me: Why did you decide to move away?

Courtney: I’m originally from Borger, Texas, but went to school in Lubbock. Even though I loved Lubbock, I thought it was time to start a new adventure and see what else is out there beyond red dirt and tumble weeds.

Me: For starters we have more people than cows.**

Me: Why Fort Worth?

Courtney: Even though it’s a major city with tons going on, it seems to still have a relaxed laid back kind of feel.

Me: It’s also the best city in the world. That’s not arrogant because it’s true.

Me: How did you find J.O.?

Courtney: After just graduating I had been on a long search of design firms and J.O. caught my eye.

Me: It was our YouTube videos, wasn’t it?

Me: What about J.O. made you want to find out more?

Courtney: The work that they were producing was beautiful and after reading about the team they seemed like just the group of people I wanted to be working with.

Me: You should know that Jennifer occasionally comes out of her office in a rampage and threatens to fire all of us for being incompetent. (What? You're supposed to scare interns and hazing is illegal so...).

Me: What scared you the most about moving out here alone?

Courtney: I was a little nervous about being able to get around without getting lost or overwhelmed in traffic, but so far it’s not been bad and I keep my GPS handy at all times.

Me: Have you heard of the Southside Strangler?***

Me: What were you most excited about moving?

Courtney: Getting to start a new adventure along with the endless amount of things to do here in Fort Worth.

Me: I bet that five-hour drive through dry, flat land was pretty awesome too, eh?

Me: What do you want to take away from this internship?

Courtney: A greater knowledge of what all takes place in an agency environment with hands-on experience. As well as great relationships with the people I am so lucky to work with.

Me: Aw! You’re sweet. Just so you know, though, I like a tad more creamer in my coffee. No, No. Don’t stress about it. You’ll get it right next time.

Me: Where do you want to be in a year?

Courtney: I would love to see myself still working in an agency environment. Getting to interact with wonderful designers and creative people would be a great way to go to work everyday.

Me: I guess I can't argue with that.

Okay. I didn’t actually say any of those things but I guess you knew that. We love our interns and are excited for the fresh perspective they bring to the agency. Courtney is no exception. Plus she has hairstyles that I would post on Pinterest but am too lazy to actually do myself. And she is really good at keeping the bathrooms super clean (kidding!).

Paige

*We do not supply Prozac to interns.

**I have never been to Lubbock or Borger. I’m sure both are delightful Texas towns. And I do not know the cow to human ratio of any city, big or small.

***There is no Southside Strangler (that we know of).

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