I successfully found a new internship in London at a company called Renée Materials. They focus on material reuse, turning idle resources into treasures for creators to build a circular economy. As an art student who cares deeply about sustainability and the environment, I truly believe in their mission.
Offline: Materials and Space
Every Tuesday, I work on-site at the company’s Hub. My tasks include packing, organizing the warehouse, and assisting customers.
This I hand-make the company’s mission cards using recycled scraps for our shipments,
Here I categorize new materials as they arrive.
I love this work. First, touching and exploring such a wide variety of materials gives me endless inspiration for my own handcrafts. Second, I’ve realized that organizing a warehouse is a creative work. In this space, I am given the freedom to set the logical rules and decide how to display materials to customers. Every time I see a messy pile turn into an organized system under my logic, I feel a huge sense of achievement.
Online: Market Perspective and Operations
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, I work remotely on market research and promotion. My first task was to write a report on our official website, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses from multiple angles and offering suggestions for improvement.
This is my first time doing marketing, and the new perspective is exciting. It forces me to switch from a “creator” mindset to a “customer” mindset. During my time at UCCA, I learned the importance of looking at things from different roles. Now, I understand even more deeply that a company’s operations—not just its design or aesthetics—require a strong sense of empathy and “switching perspectives.”
Conclusion: Looking at Art from the Outside
These past two weeks have pushed me beyond the pure “art layer.” I am starting to observe the world through the lens of market and operations. I’ve realized that art should not just be an isolated form of self-expression. To truly find its place in the real world, art needs the support of clear business logic and a solid operational system.
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