(San Bernardino, Calif.) Erica Velazquez interned at Dameron Communications while finishing her degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. She is schedule to graduate in March of 2011.

An internship is a temporary 10-week training period at a company within the student’s field of study. During this time a student is trained to be a professional, as well as taught the basics of their field. Some interns are even hired on completion of their internship.

“If we want to make sure young graphic artist professionals are properly trained, we need to help train them,” said Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications.

Prior to attending the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, Velazquez created paintings, textiles and photography. Her work was featured in art galleries in Pomona, Upland and Riverside since the age of 20.

She studied photography at Citrus Community College in Glendora California and it was here where Velazquez began working with the basic graphic design programs such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.

In 2009 she worked for the Career Service Department at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire were she created graphic design layouts for all the departments at the college while attending classes at the institute.

“Frank Houlihan, graphic design instructor and internship class instructor, recommended me to apply at Dameron Communications for my internship,” said Velazquez.

It was there that Velazquez learned how to better interact with business professionals.

“I have learned how to work with others in an office environment, how to market to a target audience and how to collaborate with others to create the best product for a client.”

While working side by side with Thom Salisbury, Dameron Communications’ Senior Art Director, Velazquez learned new techniques in Illustrator and even learned how to you use Quark, a graphic design program she had not used prior to her intern.

One of Velazquez’s many projects was to create an identity for personal trainer Malaika Jacocks-Dameron. This included the logo as well as determining what message the trainer wanted to send to her target audience.

“I was honored to be able to create an identity for Malaika Jacocks-Dameron’s company Body by Malaika.”

Upon completing her degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, she wishes to continue her education and earn a degree in environmental design. Velazquez then plans to pursue a masters’ degree in fashion design with an emphasis in graphic design.

For more information go to DameronCommunications.com or call (909) 888-0017.

About Dameron Communications, LLC
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.

Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.

Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, The Press Enterprise, The Sun, The Daily Bulletin, The Daily News, The Daily Press and many more.