Creative Associate Review

In my role as a Creative Associate at SAP, I am responsible for supporting both individual and collaborative projects that contribute to the overall creative output of my team, managing multiple deadlines simultaneously. On a day-to-day basis, this involves working closely with colleagues to develop engaging visual content and digital assets such as microsites, presentations, graphics, hype videos and other promotional materials whilst I also take part in brainstorming sessions and scoping calls to ensure all deliverables align with brand guidelines and project goals. Occasionally, there are also opportunities for me to attend company events such as Partner Summits.

Since joining SAP, I’ve significantly developed both my technical design skills and my overall creative approach. Prior to this role, my background was centred more around photography and art as opposed to graphic design, with a basic understanding of design principles. However, working in a professional and fast-paced creative environment alongside experienced and talented designers has enabled me to build on that foundation and grow into a much more confident and capable designer. I’ve gained hands-on experience with a range of Adobe Creative Cloud software - some of which I had little to no familiarity with before - such as Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro whilst being able to hone my skills on software I have used previously such as Photoshop and InDesign. In addition to this, I have had the opportunity to explore other design tools such as TimeSites and Driftspace which has allowed me to explore new areas of design, including web design and immersive experiences like VR, further broadening my skill set and understanding. As a whole, I’ve learnt the value of creative problem solving and thinking strategically about design - not just in terms of aesthetics but in how visual content can communicate messages effectively and support business objectives.

I’m thoroughly enjoying my programme and feel genuinely fortunate to be in a role where I get to do what I love every day. It’s incredibly rewarding to part of a creative environment where I can continuously learn, grow and contribute to meaningful projects. The people I work alongside have played a huge part in this experience - everyone has been exceptionally welcoming, supportive and generous with their time and knowledge from when I started in September of last year. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of such a positive and collaborative team and I truly value the opportunities this programme has offered me so far.

At SAP, the programme is well organised and structured for the most part. At the start of each week, I have a meeting with my manager, my creative lead and the rest of the creatives in my team to discuss upcoming projects and provide clear guidance on my workload. These meetings ensure I stay aligned with team priorities, can manage my time effectively and that I am able to develop my skills within the projects I have been given. In addition to this, we use a project management platform for all our design projects so that not only can we keep track of our current and upcoming projects and their respective deadlines but that we can also view what projects the rest of my team are currently working on. The structure in place is designed with flexibility in mind and I’m given adequate time to focus on university assignments when necessary. This balance between work and academic commitments (although initially a little hard to manage) has been really beneficial and has allowed me to stay on top of both aspects without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, the structure and organisation of my programme has helped me feel supported and confident in my responsibilities, while also allowing necessary room for creativity and professional development.

I receive a great deal of support from my employer, both professionally and personally. I have weekly 1-to1 meetings with the creative lead of my team, which provide a dedicated space to openly discuss not only how I’m managing my work projects but also how I’m feeling overall, how I’m progressing with my university assignments and how I’m responding to the feedback on those tasks. These regular check-ins showcase how there is a genuine interest in helping me grow as they also offer the opportunity to explore my personal, academic and professional development goals through regularly discussing how SAP can supporting me in achieving those goals. In addition, if my creative lead is ever unavailable, there are several other colleagues I can turn to for help, advice or guidance. Everyone is approachable and willing to offer support, which has a created a really encouraging and safe collaborative environment where no question feels too silly. Knowing there’s also someone I can reach out to have made a really big difference in feeling confident in my role and my ability as a designer.

I receive a strong level of support from my training provider - Manchester Metropolitan University - when working towards my degree. I have quarterly ‘Skills Reviews’ with my university skills coach who acts as a valuable bridge between the university and my workplace. These sessions are split into two parts: one half includes my manager and the creative lead of my team, allowing them to share their input on my progress and development; the other half is a one-to-one conversation between myself and my skills coach, providing a safe space to reflect on how I’m managing both work and university. In addition to these reviews, I am also able to reach out directly to the module leader of each assignment whenever I need guidance or clarification whilst working on assignments and after submitting these assignments, I receive detailed written feedback outlining what I did well and where there is still room for improvement. From this, there is also the opportunity to schedule a 1-to-1 meeting with the module leader to discuss the feedback in more depth, which has been incredibly helpful in supporting my academic growth and development.

I feel that my qualification has had a positive and direct impact on my performance in my role. The assignments I’ve completed so far have helped to build a strong foundation in key areas of design, including graphic design principles like the importance of typography and colour theory. I’ve also explored topics such as accessibility in design and the user experience - ensuring I consider the needs of all users in my work - alongside designing thinking frameworks like the Double Diamond model. This academic learning has complemented my practical experience by enhancing my awareness of design theory and fundamentals and improving my creative problem-solving capabilities. It’s enabled me to approach projects more strategically and confidently, and I’ve been able to apply this growing knowledge to real world design challenges within my role at SAP.

SAP offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and networking opportunities that help foster a strong sense of community and inclusion across the company. There are numerous employee-led groups and initiatives to get involved in that support connection and development across different backgrounds and interests such as Women in Business networking group or the Black Employee Network. In addition to professional groups, there are plenty of social and wellness activities available, such as lunchtime paddle sports sessions, football, gold and more - including an onsite gym and massage therapist - all of which are open to all employees regardless of experience. SAP also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, not only for partners and customers but also for their employees also. For example, during the festive period last year, SAP held a half-day celebration at the office featuring ice skating, fairground games, a live band, a photo booth and a cocktail bar amongst all the decorations. It was a great opportunity for employees across departments to relax, connect and enjoy time together. These initiatives contribute to a positive workplace culture whilst also providing fantastic opportunities to network, build relations and engage with the wider SAP community.

Yes

Absolutely, I would highly recommend SAP to a friend for all the reasons I’ve mentioned throughout the previous questions. The support, structure and opportunities throughout the programme are next level and have made it an incredibly positive experience from the get-go. From the welcoming and inclusive culture to the variety of development opportunities, networking groups and extra-curricular activities, SAP fosters both personal and professional growth. Moreover, the level of guidance I’ve received has helped me build confidence, expand my skill set and feel genuinely valued in my role. SAP is a place where you are encouraged to learn, contribute and thrive, and I feel very fortunate to be part of it.

Approach the opportunity with curiosity, confidence and a willingness to learn. Take the time to research the company’s values, interests and ideas as SAP places a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation. Show genuine enthusiasm for the role you’re applying for - being passionate can go a long way - and be ready to talk about your interests, strengths and how you see yourself contributing to a global organisation. Highlight your adaptability and eagerness to grow as SAP provides a lot of support and development opportunities - you don’t always have to stay directly in your area of expertise as there are chances to learn other areas of the business if you so wish. Most importantly however, be authentic. The environment at SAP is so welcoming and supportive that you can feel completely free to be absolutely yourself as you are.