Project Type: Portfolio

Lancaster Arts

Marketing Intern

February 2021 – April 2021

For a short time I was a member of the Lancaster Arts’ Marketing team. As an internship provided by the Careers Service at Lancaster University, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to boost my marketing experience, refine my skills, and try out the arts sector. Plus, the role fit in well with my class schedule and part-time job at Wibbly Wobbly Burger Bar.

My main role within the team was to assist in boosting the awareness of the upcoming Beacon’s Project. To do this, I collaborated with the Project Manager and Student Ambassadors to create a social media plan, message, and graphics in the lead up to a public broadcast. Marketed as a ‘happening’ in compliance with COVID safety measures, the Beacons Project took messages of love and hope, as submitted by Lancaster University students and Alumni, and broadcast them across campus in an impressive display of light and sound.

To prepare for the event, my role included drafting University wide communications alongside personalised messaging targeting groups and societies with the skills we needed – performers, climbers, demonstrators. I proofed blogs, web pages, and social content for the Lancaster Arts and Beacons channels to ensure a consistent message across all channels.

As I was living across the country at the time, my role on 12th March was to manage the Beacon’s social media. On the 12th March, after weeks of teasing locations, sharing snippets of messages, and working with Artist David Boultbee to define what the broadcast would be, the sky above campus came to life.

I worked with those on the ground, including performers on the rooftops, those monitoring social distancing and the Project Manager, in order to keep the Beacons Project and Lancaster Arts Instagram accounts active on the day. I shared shots and videos from behind the scenes, introduced the cast, and released the final locations where performers would take to the rooftops, all in colour to symbolise the campus coming to life.

That’s a wrap on our Beacons broadcast 📣

For those of you staying or working on campus, we hope our broadcast shone some light into your life. And to everyone who submitted a message, thank you for allowing us to spread your love and encouragement when its needed most.

Stay tuned to our Instagram as we turn Beacons into a digital artwork for all students to enjoy!

#beaconsoncampus #lancasteruni @lancasteruni @davidboultbee.breadart

In my write up of the event, I noted how “As a Masters student studying at Lancaster University for the first time, it was inspiring to witness students and staff coming together to shine light into the darkness.”

While talking to my team following the event, Beacons Ambassador, Goda remarked, “it was incredible to be able to share ideas…to collectively create and enjoy the creative process”. And I couldn’t agree more. Beacons wasn’t just an artistic display for the campus, but an collaboration between Lancaster Arts, students, and established artists that fuelled creativity after months of lockdown.

My favourite messages to come from the anonymous submissions of students:

“[Lancaster University is] The place I’ve learned to love and grow, let love in from others and myself.”
Anonymous

“We are stars of the night, together a constellation”
Anonymous

Though my role was set to continue into the Summer, I had to resign early to take on a full-time position elsewhere. However, I look forward to seeing how the Beacons project continues online and the digital legacy it will leave. Despite working with the team over Zoom, that did not detract from my experience. I had an amazing time working with the Project Manager, Danni Ash, and will absolutely jump at the opportunity to work together again!

The Creative Branch

From July 2019 to July 2020, I worked as a Marketing Assistant and Content Creator at The Creative Branch in Staveley.

My role involved planning and crafting social media content, social ad campaigns, writing articles, blogs, emails, press releases, and web page content for a variety of industries.

I loved creating content for our various clients as I got to delve into different industries; like interior design, hoteliers, real estate agencies, wholesalers, and more. No two days were ever the same.

The majority of my time was spent developing articles and writing web copy. Here’s a list of websites I helped develop content for, including page content, product descriptions, category introductions, case studies, and blogs:

For direct links to specific articles and blog content, check out my 2019 and 2020 master documents:

2019 Master Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g0xhQOmWA_h3utXz7-KknGfdXvK2k2IJApcLiYVp_WA/edit?usp=sharing
2020 Master Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jyO5jnTBDK4yFuKda0CL3DOviP_cd0cU460rtg-o7Fk/edit?usp=sharing

Throughout the time that Devon worked within the business, I found her very pleasant to work with, she was flexible in her approach to tasks and always willing to learn new skills. Devon was punctual, diligent, efficient and always demonstrated good attention to detail.
—
Cat Rumney, Managing Director

Web Consultancy

In the Summer of 2016 and 2017, I undertook copy writing work experience with Web Consultancy Group in Middlesbrough. During both occasions, I worked on articles for a variety of clients; every day was different. One day I was challenged to write an engaging article about concrete dividers, shortly followed by an eco-friendly blog for a funeral directory.

I created content about numerous industries in which I had no prior knowledge of, including dance wear, chiropractors, innovative technologies, home improvement, architecture, and vacation accommodation.

During the weeks I spent with Web Consultancy Group, I created a stock of articles – some of which are sadly no longer available. Here, I improved my writing, worked with a professional tone, and found creative topics to explore in unfamiliar industries. Plus, by working closely with an editor, I was able to improve my writing and chip away at bad habits.

Devon made a great impression on us during her works experience in August 2016. It was impressive to see her take the initiative and contact us directly. When she contacted us again in 2017 to come back, we were happy to grant the request.
Throughout her second time with us Devon continued to deliver an exceptionally high standard of work, even when given tricky new topics to look at.
—
Simon Welch, Content Writing Supervisor

To read examples of the work I created in 2017, please follow the links below:

It Equals & The Femedic

Back in March 2017, an article of mine was published on the ItEquals website. ItEquals is the place where the power structures that govern us are critically unpicked. Where big issues and ideas are discussed in regard to their atomic structure. Feminism, discrimination, culture, arts, and what we see in media. It’s all there to be dismantled.

‘Being Asexual in a Sexualised Society‘ discusses my experience coming out, my journey, and how those around me have reacted. The article aims to raise awareness about asexuality and how sexualised our society has become.

The article was produced at the age of 18, when I was still naive about many things; thus some ideas and thoughts no longer represent how I feel today, or represent a surface idea that I have since studied at a deeper level. Also, as of December 2018 I no longer identity as asexual as it turns out I was just repressing my actual sexuality. This in no way discredits those who identify as asexual, nor the validity of the experiences I had.

“You spend your childhood being shunned away from sex, to then grow up and be shunned for not desiring it. “

Following the publication of my article, I was approached by writer Imogen Robinson, to contribute on two articles about asexuality for The Femedic. The Femedic exists to normalise taboos surrounding women’s health. Their writers talk about their personal experiences with women’s health issues, ask the questions that need to be asked, and work with experts to provide in-depth answers.

“However,” Devon adds, “There is an issue with how people discuss sex.” It is talked about as if it is something everyone is expected to do, which causes pressure simply because everyone believes what they are told about it. “It’s why I initially struggled to find a definition for my sexuality,” Devon says, “Because we’re not educated on it…”

The first article, ‘How Do I Know if I’m Asexual?‘ asks exactly that. With expert contributions, furrow research, and input from myself, the article explores what it means to be asexual, the stigma, societal pressures, and how we go about discussing it.

How can you live without sex?
“I’m always tempted to just reply ‘get over yourself’,” says Devon, “but I’m aware that such a response can backfire on me.” In Devon’s opinion there is a strange idea going round that asexual people can’t or won’t have sex and it’s far from true. “Yes, there are some ace [asexual] people who are sexually repulsed,” she says, “but there’s also others who are completely up for it.”

The second article, ‘I’m Asexual: here’s what I always get asked‘ covers the typical questions asexual people hear all the time. From “What does it mean?” to “How can you identify as two things?”, it explores how different asexual people response to such questions and how those questions impact them, while offering some brilliant resources for anyone questioning their sexuality.

Penguin Random House

Marketing Assistant

October 2020 – May 2021

During June 2018, I undertook a two week work experience in Penguin Random House’s Stand office. Focusing on Children’s Marketing and Publicity, I spent my time mailing promotional material, sitting in on advertising meetings, and working with a fantastic team of passionate and lovely people.

Following my return to the North, Penguin published my article about my experience working with them: Meet Devon – Work Experience in Penguin Random House Children’s Marketing and Publicity.

Additionally, while in London, I used the Spare Rooms Project to find somewhere to stay. Through the project, I found a room close to the centre of London, just around the corner from The British Museum.

My experience with the project is up on the Publisher’s Association website: Devon Howes on her Spare Room Project experience.

View from the steps of The British Museum

My time in the Big City allowed me to meet people from all over the country, and even abroad, and learn about their experiences and what direction they wish to take their career in. Because the work experience was paid, I was able to explore the city in my downtime and learn what London is about.