ECPI Web Design Internships at
Virginia Web Design Company Visionefx

Tomorrow's outstanding web designers are in college today. And that's where you'll find Virginia web design company Visionefx, which has hosted talented collegiate interns for nearly two years.

Visionefx provides internships to many ECPI College of Technology IT / Web Design Program students, with outstanding results. We strive to assign a variety of web tasks to each student -- from building client web design concepts to search engine optimization.

During the process we give each student feedback to help him or her think out-of-box. Students are given initial client requirements and deadlines to complete their tasks. Students work virtually allowing for flexibility if a student has a part-time job or a heavy ECPI class load.

The intern program allows web design student to get real world experience with real-world projects and deadlines.

Once students graduate from the ECPI Web program, their first challenge is the application process for a web design job. Students are exposed to a wide range of web training which allows them to build a diverse portfolio of class projects. But it is very helpful to have a few business related projects. Web design is a very visual medium and employers like to see creative diversity.

We also provide tips portfolio for the students.

Web Design Portfolio

New graduates should invest in a basic web hosting plan and secure a professional sounding domain name. A good web design hosting plan costs about $120 per year and is well worth the expense. Students should not post their web work on a free-hosting plan. It is far better to invest a few bucks on a robust hosting plan with a reputable company.

Selecting Your Domain Name

Select a professional sounding domain name. You don’t want to tell a prospective client or employer to view your portfolio at "dancingzombiesdesign.com."

Think long range. The longer your domain name is active from year to year, the better your chances for acquiring good search engine position. This plays a small, but important part in search engine optimization.

No Bells and Whistles

Music or sound effects should not be used to jazz-up a portfolio web site. Music and sfx are reserved for sites that have a purpose to entertain like movie trailer web sites. Do not use effects, glitz, bells or whistles as window dressings.

Keep your message clear and concise.

Avoid showing every single project you've worked on. Ask an art director to review your portfolio. Let the art director know you're trying to determine what you should keep or remove from your portfolio. You will get invaluable feedback.

Your chances of getting hired are far better if you present one or two exemplary projects versus showing a large mix of average design projects.

During my career in television animation, I received digital portfolios that contained everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. A web designer’s typical thinking is to show a wide variety of skill-sets. This is not necessary. I have hired artists who submitted one exceptional portfolio piece.

Internship Projects

Once the student completes a project, he or she will have a link they may place on their resumes to show clients or employers. Here are a few URL’s to some of their projects;

ECPI graduate Shakria Nidhan designed logos for Gorillaweb. She also designed the web site for Rourk Properties.

ECPI graduate Jake Barbini designed the logo header for the real estate web site The Classic Agent.

ECPI student Ebony Williams recently completed the interactive map for LTD Hotel Management Company. She also developed a homepage design # 3a for Edu Star Academy of Arts and web designs #1 & #2 for Asthma and Allergy Specialists Ltd.

Each student comes to us with well-rounded web design skill sets. They also possess their own unique strengths and talents. We help them build a more refined skill set in the particular area where they excel.

After graduation students will seek full or part-time employment in Hampton Roads, Virginia. We encourage graduates to build their own freelance base of clients. This gives them real-world experience to communicate with clients while marketing their work.

To learn more about ECPI interns or internships contact:
Eushekia Y. Carr, Student Employment & Externship Coordinator
757.671.7171 ext. 260
ecarr@ecpi.edu / www.ecpi.edu


About the Author
Ricardo Vidallon is owner and creative director for http://www.visionefx.net