MECCA design team, Tahlia Yap, Kate Thomas, Nasim Sharifani, Allessandra Raffa, Nicole Hossari (Left-Right).

Nasim Sharifani, a final-year Bachelor of Communication Design student, recently completed a coveted paid internship at iconic cosmetic house MECCA, thanks to her standout work on her final year ‘Cookbook’ design project. What began as a two-week placement quickly turned into an extended three-month experience, immersing her in an environment filled with creative opportunities and the support of a professional design team.

A cookbook that caught the eye

Nasim’s path to MECCA began with her final year project - ‘We are what we eat - Recipes from our kitchens’ that used food as a lens to explore cultural identity and human rituals. Drawing inspiration from photographer Mark Menjivar’s "You Are What You Eat" project, Nasim created a unique concept that showcased diverse food stories, integrating local chefs, photography, and interesting recipes from around the globe. The design celebrated food as a vital element of personal and cultural expression.

Nasim Sharifani, 'We are what we eat: Recipes from our kitchens' (2024)

“Food shapes our identity in ways we often overlook,” said Nasim. “The rituals or people we share food with create lasting memories, and I wanted to capture that through my cookbook project. It was deeply personal.” says Nasim.

This project, vibrant and thought-provoking, impressed the MECCA team, leading to Nasim’s selection for the internship.

Senior Designer at MECCA and Nasim’s supervisor, Allessandra Raffa explains it this way,
“Nasim’s cookbook was playful and colorful - I felt that her style of design fit the MECCA brand perfectly.”

The internship experience at MECCA

Nasim Sharifani at MECCA head office.

Nasim’s internship at MECCA, which spanned over 2 months, provided her with invaluable hands-on experience working within a large in-house design team.

MECCA’s Head of Creative, Sam Ziino, described the internship as “a way to nurture the next generation of talent - to bring in younger energy and continue to build a great team culture.”

Nasim fit in with the Mecca culture perfectly. “Nasim is such a standout - her attitude was super positive. Through the internship, she brought so much energy to the team at a busy time which really helped us all.” explains Sam.

Nasim’s feelings for MECCA are mutual. “The MECCA environment is so creative and beautiful. Working within the Design team was a real highlight for me as they were so friendly, helpful and inclusive. They helped me with so much knowledge about how design works in a business setting.” explains Nasim.

During her first month at MECCA, Nasim rotated through various tasks, gaining exposure to different aspects of the design process. However, her most impactful contributions were made on two major projects: ‘Holiday Packaging’ and ‘Women in Design,’ a collaboration for International Women’s Day. In both, Nasim played a significant role in designing packaging inspired by the artworks of local Australian women artists, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria through the Mecca M-Power social change initiative.

“Working on the holiday packaging project was one of the most exciting parts of my internship,” Nasim shared. “I worked closely with the chosen artists’ artwork, developing designs that integrated their art into the MECCA brand. The process was both creative and collaborative, and I loved seeing how my designs came to life.”

However Nasim counts working on the opening of the Melbourne flagship store as her highlight project at MECCA. “I really enjoyed designing specialty merchandise including tote bags and keychains that blended the MECCA brand and the new flagship identity.”

Nasim also gained exposure to MECCA’s digital side, where she honed her skills in motion design and animation—techniques she had learned but not fully explored during her studies.

“I was learning on the job, which was an incredible experience,” Nasim explained. “From animating social media content to designing digital assets, I was able to expand my skill set and apply what I had learned at Monash in a real-world context.”

Personal growth and professional impact

The internship proved to be a transformative experience for Nasim, providing her not only with technical design skills but also with critical soft skills such as time management, collaboration, and adaptability.

“At university, we have time to perfect our work, but at MECCA, deadlines are tight,” she said. “I had to learn how to balance creativity with efficiency, which is a crucial skill in the industry.”

“I never thought I’d enjoy working in an in-house design team, but this experience opened my eyes to the possibilities,” she admitted. “The MECCA team was so supportive and friendly, and I loved being part of their collaborative process.”

The MECCA team also took notice of Nasim’s potential. Allessandra Raffa, Nasim’s supervisor and Senior Designer at MECCA, praised her for being a quick learner with exceptional skills in animation and motion design.

“I was amazed by Nasim’s abilities in motion design,” Allessandra shared. “It’s rare to see a student with such advanced skills, and she was eager to learn and contribute in all areas of design.”

Sam Ziino, MECCA’s Head of Creative, echoes this sentiment.

“Nasim’s creativity and positive attitude made her a perfect fit for our team. She brought a fresh perspective, and her international background helped us approach projects from a new angle.”

Nasim Sharifani with Sam Ziino, Head of Creative, MECCA (left). Nasim Sharifani with Allessandra Raffa, Senior Designer, MECCA (right)

Looking ahead: A bright future in design

The internship at MECCA has had a profound impact on Nasim’s career aspirations. Initially, Nasim had envisioned working in small design studios, but her experience at MECCA shifted her perspective.

“I had never considered in-house teams before, but now I see the potential for growth in those environments,” she reflected. “MECCA has given me a glimpse into what it would be like to work as part of a larger design team, and I’m open to those opportunities in the future.”

Nasim encourages aspiring students to embrace the opportunities available to them.

“Monash offers a lot of freedom to explore and find what you’re passionate about,” she says. “The connections and industry exposure through Monash are invaluable, and it’s important to take every chance to learn and grow.”

A New Chapter: MECCA and Monash Design

For MECCA, hosting a Monash University Design intern has allowed the company to tap into fresh talent, but it has also provided the team with a new sense of energy and creativity.

“Monash Design provides such a good understanding of what it could be like in the industry-studio setting by preparing students with the skills and practical learning they need to thrive.”

Sam emphasises how students like Nasim bring a much-needed perspective to the design world.

“Nasim’s internship was a fantastic addition to our already dynamic team, bringing fresh ideas and a unique perspective. We’re excited to follow her journey and see the amazing things she’ll go on to achieve.”