Designer from South Africa in Russia? Yes!

The internship program was launched by the Global Local Branding Alliance last autumn when Flamesun's art director Song went to Russia from China. This time it's Carina turn, one of the leading packaging design specialists from GLBA's agency in South Africa.

The internship involves 100% immersion into the agency’s work process. Carina has been briefed and is participating in one of the projects as a full-time designer. Her design concept will be shown to the client together with others.

Comments from Carina: "It has been an amazing experience. From the minute I arrived I was greeted with warmth and hospitality. Guys from Depot WPF have made a great effort to show me what Russia is all about from the food to the history and of course the packaging. I have been very fortunate to be a part of an exciting project concept which I have thoroughly enjoyed working on. The team has been so helpful in guiding me through their processes and how they handle a project. It has been easy to fall into their process as it is very similar to how we at Stratcom would handle a project."

Apart from spending time in the Depot WPF office, Carina will also have time to study Russian design "in real life". The fabulous team have organised store-checks in Moscow supermarkets for her and discussed the specialties of different product categories in Russia.

"There is such a huge variety of products on the shelves that there is very strong competition between brands that need to stand out. This I believe drives the designers here to really push the boundaries in their designs to create something new and fresh to grab attention. It has truly been inspiring to see the level of creativity that goes into each piece of work. I definitely feel very inspired and hope that I can bring the team back in South Africa a new sense of creativity and a few tips I have picked up here," Carina says.

Besides a lot of work, Carina has been able to take in some of the incredible sites Moscow has to offer. Carina has visited the main Moscow sights, watched a 360-degree movie in the planetarium, dropped into our favorite bars, walked in the Gorky Park and enjoyed Urs Fisher's exhibition in the Garage Museum. As far as Russian cuisine is concerned, Carina has tried traditional Russian pelmeni, "herring under a fur-coat" and buckwheat. Carina’s Russian experiences will also include a remote Moscow performance and morning party in the Muzeon park of arts.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that I have met here at Depot WPF for accepting me as part of your team and for all the effort to the wonderful people for taking me out in the evenings to experience your amazing city and to Kate for sharing her beautiful home with me and making me feel so welcome, Thank you," Carina comments. And the Depot WPF would also like to thank Carina for sharing her South African experience with them all!

Meanwhile, the next participant of GLBA's international exchange program is the Depot WPF art director Vera Zvereva. Vera is going to chase inspiration in Sao Paolo with the team of the Brazilian agency A10 who are all ready to host her soon.

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