Mercana’s Internship Program

Oct 22, 2019 | Company Culture, Newsroom

As a company, Mercana believes in making investments for the future and this thought process has always helped us jaunt a step ahead of the competition. From a brand-new online marketplace to improvements to our warehouse and fulfillment processes, each new upgrade is considered a stride towards the future. Our latest (and undoubtedly our biggest) stride is one that we are ecstatic to announce - The Internship Program.

For the last few months, we've worked to bring to life a concept that has excited us unlike any other - a full-fledged, hands-on, paid internship program for professionally curious individuals looking to make their mark in the industry.

Excited? There's more. Read on. We've got all the details and more for you, below.

What is Mercana's Internship Program?

A four-month-long, full-time (or part-time for the right person) paid gig in the field of Marketing, Art & Photography, Design or Business Intelligence & Information Technology.

What's Special About the Internship Program?

Our Internship Program, (unlike others in the industry) is looking to give you the chance to accelerate your career and show the world what you have to offer. We're not interested in a short term result where "Internship" is a bullet point on your resume and all you've done is help perform mundane tasks like those guys want. We're literally looking for the future of our company and we're prepared to give you the autonomy, training and encouragement to do so. If you have the drive to have a long-lasting, professional career growing with a company that's on the move, then read on.

Who is a Good Fit?

At Mercana, we're a team that works hard and plays hard. We never forget the fun elements of work and always have time and appreciation for laughs. For us, no idea is stupid and we always make time for a brainstorming session.

We're looking for recent graduates and those finishing-up on their studies soon to join our team. If you're a self-starter who is professionally curious, you're already on our pool of shortlisted interns. Read on for role-specific details.

What's in it for you?

We promise you a friendly, safe and exciting work environment that fosters employee development and personal growth with unlimited mentorship from team leaders.

We've got a full-size snack bar that's always full, an unlimited supply of coffee & cold beverages to keep your hunger at bay and exclusive, employee discounts on all our products.

But that's not all. We understand that these things don't pay your bills. Thus, we PAY you for your effort and ensure we compensate you fairly. In addition to this, we're happy to offer a full-time position to our candidates should both parties agree on a suitable career path.

Here are some of the roles we're currently looking to fill :

1. Marketing & E-Commerce Intern

The funnest team at Mercana is looking for a right-brained, self-starter to bamboozle our clientele with stellar content and copy that adds to the existing efforts of our marketing and e-commerce team. Moreover, the role includes assisting the Marketing Manager and working with the rest of the e-commerce and marketing team to execute email marketing campaigns, advertising and promotional campaigns, and print marketing campaigns.

The ideal candidate will have -

A degree/diploma in marketing, communications or other related disciplines. (if you're still pursuing a degree, we're confident you'll do great and we encourage you to work with us while you study).
Basic understanding of marketing and social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest etc.
Strong verbal and written communication with the ability to put across a message in a clear, concise manner to the consumer.
The ability to think out of the box and have fun while doing so.

2. Product & Lifestyle Photography Intern

Our photographers are something special. No, really.

A team that never fails to surprise with their unique lifestyle shoots and detailed product photography, the Mercana creative team is one that any photography enthusiast will have loads of fun being a part of. You'll have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of product and lifestyle photography and help us improve our existing catalogs with some of your brilliant ideas.

The ideal candidate will have -

A good understanding of the operation of a Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera.
Basic understanding of Photoshop and/or other editing software.
A basic understanding of Lightroom would be a plus.
Great ideas, imagination and the natural tendency to think out of the box.

3. Product Design Intern

Because Mercana is a "design first" company, our design team is truly, the heart of the company. The design team constantly creates stellar new designs and makes every effort to ensure that Mercana's line-up is a trendsetter. A dynamic team that is always up to something cool, to say the least, is one that any young designer would enjoy being a part of. Moreover, our designers travel to Asia approximately four times a year, maybe you could too if that's something you're interested in.

The ideal candidate will have -

The ability to stay organized and stay on top of product development to market with the team.
Excellent sketching and design skills
A good understanding of colors, finishes, materials, and fabrics
The ability to work well on a team and collaborate on ideas
Ability to juggle between multiple projects throughout the product creation cycle
Basic understanding of Computer-Aided Design

4. Information Technology Support Intern

Our IT team is the backbone of our operational infrastructure and is an energetic team that constantly works on improving the efficiency and productivity of every aspect of the business. If problem-solving and troubleshooting is your forte, you'd fit right in. Why? Because we've got problems for you to solve on a daily basis - problems that when solved, help us function smoothly as an organization.

The right candidate will have -

A degree/diploma in IT, Information Systems or other related disciplines. (if you're still pursuing a degree, we're confident you'll do great and we encourage you to work with us while you study).
Strong problem-solving abilities and logic.
The ability to multi-task and manage time between various problems and tasks.
The ability and willingness to assist with day-to-day troubleshooting like password resets, printer configurations etc.
Previous experience as a Teacher's Assistant or IT Help Desk Assistant is a plus.

Think you'd be a great fit for one of these positions? Apply today by sending us a note at hr@mercana.com (don't forget to attach your most recent resume) so we can see what you've got!

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Share this article with them and help both, us and them, in building what could be the next big thing!

The short answer

Neither shape is better on its own; the right one depends on your seating layout, your traffic flow and how you use the room. A round coffee table suits compact rooms, sectionals and busy households, while a rectangular coffee table suits a long sofa and rooms that need extra surface.

Shape is one of the first decisions our design team makes when a coffee table moves from sketch to sample, because it sets how a seating group feels and functions. Below is how we think it through, and how designers and stagers can apply it to a real floor plan.

When a round coffee table works best

Choose round when the room needs softness, easy movement or a centre point for seating on several sides.
- Sectionals and L-shaped seating. A circle reaches every seat equally, so no one sits facing a corner.
- Compact or square rooms. With no corners to walk around, a round top keeps pathways open in condos, dens and reading nooks.
- Busy households. Rounded edges are kinder to shins in high-traffic rooms.
- Rooms full of straight lines. A circle breaks up a rectilinear sofa, rug and media console.
The Shima Round Coffee Table brings this idea to a generous 45-inch circle in solid wood, with arched cut-out legs that keep the base visually light. For a smaller footprint with natural stone, the Rumer Coffee Table sets a 36-inch round of veined white marble on dark brown hardwood legs.

When a rectangular coffee table works best

Choose rectangular when a long sofa anchors the room or when the table has to work hard.

A standard three-seat sofa. A rectangle echoes the sofa's length, so every seat can reach the surface.
Long, narrow living rooms. The shape follows the room's proportions instead of fighting them.
Function first. More usable surface for trays, books, games and serving, plus room for shelves or storage below.
Formal or symmetrical plans. A rectangle reads as structured and balanced, ideal for facing sofas.

The Tabor Coffee Table wraps recycled pine in a black oak veneer waterfall frame for a clean, architectural rectangle. For collectors, the Arelius Rectangular Display Coffee Table pairs a glass-topped shadowbox with a black metal base, turning the centre of the room into a place to show treasured objects.

Oval and square: the in-between shapes

If you want the reach of a rectangle with the ease of a circle, choose oval; if your seating forms a square, choose square.

Oval gives a long sofa full coverage while removing the corners, which makes it a strong choice for families and tight walkways. The Shima Oval Coffee Table measures 48 by 28 inches in solid mango wood and arrives fully assembled. The Terra Oval Coffee Table adds a fluted base that conceals a lift top and storage.

Square suits a deep sectional or four chairs arranged around a central table. At 48 inches square with a 3-inch reclaimed wood top, the McArthur Coffee Table anchors large seating groups. The Lucas Coffee Table scales white marble down to 30 inches square for condos and paired-chair corners.

Sizing and clearance guidelines

Whatever the shape, scale matters more than style: a well-sized table makes a seating group feel intentional.

Guideline	Rule of thumb
Length (rectangular or oval)	About two-thirds the length of the sofa
Diameter (round)	About half to two-thirds of the sofa length; larger for a sectional's corner
Distance from seating	14 to 18 inches, close enough to reach a cup
Height	Level with the seat cushion or 1 to 2 inches lower
Walkways around the table	30 to 36 inches where people pass

When a room is between sizes, a round or oval table usually gives back more circulation space than a rectangle of the same surface area.

Pairing shape and material with your sofa

Contrast is the simplest rule: pair a heavy, square-armed sofa with a softer shape, and a curved sofa with cleaner lines.

With a dark brown or leather sofa, avoid matching the tone exactly. White marble, light wood or a metal base adds the contrast that keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy. The Rumer and Lucas coffee tables both bring white marble into that palette.

Is marble still in style? Yes. Natural stone continues to anchor both modern and transitional rooms, and veining means no two tops are alike. Look for surface-tested finishes if the table will see daily cups and glasses.

With a light or curved sofa, a darker table in wood or blackened metal grounds the room, and an oval or rectangle adds structure.

Explore the collection

Browse Mercana coffee tables in round, oval, square and rectangular shapes, across Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Transitional, Industrial and Farmhouse styles. Each piece is designed in-house and specified with full dimensions, materials and clearance details.

For interior designers, stagers and retailers: register for a trade account to view wholesale pricing and availability. Shopping for your own home? Find a Mercana retailer near you.

Is it better to have a round or rectangular coffee table?

Round is better for sectionals, compact rooms and high-traffic homes. Rectangular is better for a long sofa, narrow rooms and when you need more surface or storage.

Does a round coffee table work with an L-shaped sectional?

Yes. A round table reaches every seat in an L-shaped layout and leaves an open path around the corner.

What size coffee table do I need?

Aim for about two-thirds the length of your sofa, 14 to 18 inches from the seat, and level with or slightly below the cushion height.

What coffee table goes with a dark brown sofa?

Choose contrast: white marble, light wood or a metal base keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy.

Is an oval coffee table a good compromise?

Yes. An oval offers the reach of a rectangle along a long sofa without hard corners.

BROWSE ALL COFFEE TABLES

Mercana | Furniture Manufacturer

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