Flower Power

Flower Power

Here is a really neat idea for a flower arrangement. This is a unique approach to a traditional flower arrangement and I wanted to share it with you guys. Instead of purchasing a bouquet of flowers try this.

 

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Either way you can’t loose. These vases are super cute and I absolutely love the yellow zinnia flower. The vases are from CB2. From a design standpoint this type of arrangement evokes balance and harmony. These vases can be applied in any room setting; coffee table, kitchen table, or even in the bedroom. I would like to see this yellow zinnia flower and either of the two vases as a center piece on this coffee table.

The yellow zinnia flower creates a nice contrast with the red in this interior perspective. The vases add a sense of symmetrical balance and rhythm within the space. It has balance because there is a feeling of equilibrium present. Visual rhythm is created when colors, lines or forms are used in a consistent pattern. Visual rhythm applied to these vases in the form and  make the eye move much like rhythm in music that makes our bodies want to move. These vases are simple, but make a strong statement with the form and shape.

If I were a chair



Bicci Purple Damask with Silver Nailheads

    
     The first moment I saw this chair I was super excited and it was love at first sight! Not only is it amazing, but it's also affordable. It's from Home Dec furniture Company. The subtle klismos leg and the nailhead detail adds to the feminine grace that captured my attention. It is a must have.

You Can't Judge a Book by its Cover, Or Can You?

     Design firms receive a lot of portfolios from recent graduates who are looking to land that first job. It's obviously important to have the skills and education, but it's as equally as important to have an amazing portfolio. Your portfolio is a statement of who you are and your design style. The content and layout need to coincide and tell a story about the work that it easy to follow. When I was designing my cover page I wanted something clean, fresh, and modern.

     This is my cover page that I created for my exit portfolio. Immediately from looking at the cover I want to capture their attention. Choice of font, color, and use of positive and negative space is all very important for a portfolio. I didn't want to get too crazy with graphics, because sometimes they are too distracting and take away from the work. This is a good starting point to set up the format and layout for what can be epected next. It makes a statement that represents me as a designer, and I am happy with it. What do you think?

The Evils of Procrastination

How many times have you promised yourself to do something later, when really you should have taken care of it earlier? Regardless of what the task is, checking an e-mail, or doing an assignment-we all experience it, regardless of age, culture or beliefs. It’s human nature. It just sucks because so many of us get attacked by what I like to call this “evil spirit” of procrastination. Well I am tired of it and refuse to be in bondage anymore! So I did some research and self-reflecting and here are a few tips that helped me overcome it so maybe it will help for you. The thing is, you have to actually do it. Baby steps; take it one day at a time. Most of it is a mindset, so challenge yourself and as Nike says, JUST DO IT!

Ways to Overcome Procrastination

1. Recharge Daily
Make sure you are getting the proper amount of rest. Yes I am sure you are busy, but we all are. Your body needs its rest or it will lay you down and make sure you do.

2. Get a Friend Involved
It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. Having an accountability partner is always a great way to make sure you get tasks done.

3. Reward Yourself
You're much more likely to continue down this path to recovery if you reward yourself sometimes after you complete that not so fun task. It doesn’t have to be anything super awesome, just enough to keep you encouraged and on the right track.

4. Do Things in Pieces
Once again, baby steps, approach things in little pieces so you won’t feel overwhelmed. Then the steps don’t seem impossible and you will have a bunch of little victories

5. Don't Be Afraid to multitask

Sometimes it’s feasible to do two things at once. For example: Make flash cards while listening to music, or watching TV, or talk on the phone while you tidy your apartment.

6. Prioritize
Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really not that important, or it’s so important that you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. If it sounds like a good idea but in the end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head.

7. Get in Touch with the End Result
Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with the outcome. When the task is finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result?

8. Just Do It!!
Don't think about it too much, just jump in and get it done!

The Dash: Poem by Linda Ellis

It's not the date you were born, or the date you died, that really matters. It's "the dash" between those years and what you do with it, to make a difference with your life. This poem is very sentimental, but reading it made me think about what I will be doing with my life after I graduate and what kind of impact on the world I want to make. No matter how big or small, it made me think about life differently and really think about what truly matters. While I am still alive, I want to make my time here on earth count. After reading this poem if you want to find out more information about her go to her website.

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend
he referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash,
what matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life’s actions to rehash
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

Team Dynamics

       

I was recently involved in a group project and now that it’s over I am happy. However, I realize that working in groups is something that I will be doing for a large majority of my career. I don’t mind groups, in fact I actually like them, but what I don’t understand is why it is so hard for people to work together in a team? We have be working in groups and doing team projects since we were little kids, yet very few people really understand how to be a "team player". There are those who are too pushy and then you have that person who could care less and will just do enough to get by. One of my biggest fears is to work for a firm where the people don't work well together and the team dynamics are poor. It's so important to understand how to work in a group environment especially if your job profession will require it.

         I can recall several times how I felt when I was working in groups that were in utter chaos. I was so frustrated and didn't even want to participate. Inconsiderate people annoy me, especially those who think that only their ideas are important and worth discussing. I have been involved in various organizations and have had ample time to see myself in action.

Typically I am the one who initiates things and get the ball rolling, but I make a conscious effort to include everyone and make sure we are all on the same page. I believe everyone’s thoughts are important, no matter how big or small and I like for everyone to feel included. This is important when working with other people.

Even though working in teams can be frustrating, when you have a great team they can be very beneficial. More resources are available and groups are able to complete larger scale projects. Groups work also leads to more diverse solutions. Two heads are better than one! Another plus to working in groups is that it’s easier to detect flaws and catch mistakes. What you may miss, someone else might see. Groups and teams also provide an even greater understanding of what needs to be done. Everyone will have their interpretation of what needs to be done and how to do it, but if you put them all together you can learn more from listening to other peoples perspectives and then apply what works best. It is also a great way to hone communication skills. Discussions and active listening aid to the success of being a better communicator.

All in all, like I said, working in groups doesn’t have to have such a negative connotation if everyone would be mindful that it’s a group and everyone has a voice. Everyone has ideas and they should be taken into consideration.

Working 9 to 5

Sorry it’s been awhile since our last convo. I’ve been so busy with classes and wrapped up in my programming document and trying to redefine my portfolio. While trying to get everything together for school and prepare for graduation I am slightly overwhelmed and nervous about what’s next. Every now and then the reality that I am really about to graduate and start my life hits me in the stomach. No more long nights in the studio working on projects and no more Spanish classes. It is finally about to happen, I’m graduating. Only 75 more days left before I enter the “real world”. I’m excited because it’s been a long time coming, but I’m anxious because I still have some things to figure out. Every time I think about it my stomach turns a little. It’s a bitter sweet feeling. I know I am mentally prepared and I am ready to embark on this adventure, but I am apprehensive about things like: Where am I going to live? Where am I going to work? Will I like my job? These are the thoughts that I am excited and nervous about. I realize these feelings are completely normal and just about every graduate feels like this at one point or another so that makes me feel a little better.

I know I can and will succeed as an interior designer but first things first. I must find a job. I really want to move to NYC and experience the fast pace life. “They say” if you can make it there, then you can make it anywhere, so that’s exactly what I plan to do. Initially living in the big apple might be a bit much for me, but I know I will be just fine. Well at least after I land my first job.

Like I said, I have been thinking about this a lot lately and one of the reoccurring thoughts that I can’t escape is how are my interviews going to be? So to help myself out I decided to answer a couple questions that I am sure to help me during the process.

Question #1: What are you able to do? (What can you bring to the table?)

Bottom line, I understand that Interior Design firms are concerned with getting work completed in a timely matter and getting it to clients. With that being said, I can demonstrate that I have great technical skills and interpersonal skills. I am more than comfortable using programs such as AutoCAD and Revit Architecture. I am able to create detailed floor plans, elevations/sections, and other plans such as electrical or RCPs. If you need a plan hand drafted and rendered for a specific type of client, I can do that as well.

Other attributes that I bring to the table are excellent moral and ethical character, a positive and outgoing personality, great work ethic, and a great sense of what it means to be professional and work well in a team environment.  I also have good time management and communication skills. These are essential skills that every interior designer should possess, which is the reason why I got involved in various organizations. Being a part of those organizations enabled me to get to know myself better as a leader and a team player. I learned my strengths and weaknesses and was able to work on them.

               

Question #2: What are you willing to do? (What are you willing to sacrifice?)

In all honesty I have been realistic in my expectations and I realize that as an entry level designer there are things that I may have to do that I don’t want. However, with that being said, I am willing to do whatever is needed to get the job done. I don’t mind working in the library filing samples or spending time working on specifications. In the end, it is going to make e a better designer and knowledgeable about interior design. Ultimately, I want to learn and be exposed to various aspects of design and business management. I have great presentation and listening skills and I am also able to clearly convey my thoughts and present them to other professionals and clients alike. Most importantly designers are problem solvers.

In my senior thesis class we had the opportunity to work with a real client and design an outdoor kitchen and pool. I really enjoyed having the dialogue with the client to discover their likes and dislikes and exactly what they wanted to gain from the project. In the end, my presentation had a personal touch to it. I was able to present to the client and explain to them the design decisions made and they understood everything. At the end of the presentation they didn’t have any questions because I thoroughly covered it all. Being able to talk about the problem, my design concepts and come up with creative ways to solve it are skills that are priceless.

Question #3: What do you want to do? (What about design gives you personal satisfaction?)

                What do I want to do?! I want to learn and absorb as much information about interior design as I possibly can. I am still discovering myself as a designer so gaining exposure to the industry in every aspect is what I want. My dream job would be one that allows me to travel to other states and various countries as a PM or in another position. I want to travel and gain exposure to different cultures and their styles of design. I really enjoy design because it is personal, for me and for the client. Whether in residential or hospitality it is making a direct impact on those who will use the created space. It gives me satisfaction to know that I will be able to touch the lives of others through my creativity.

                The part I like most about design is the schematic phase. Developing different ideas and testing them to see which ones work best is challenging, but also very rewarding when I have it figured out. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so I try to find those other ways.  I am also interested in sustainability, so I want to be able to work with a firm that shares that same concern.        

                My firm of choice to work for would be an international hospitality design firm that designs hotels, restaurants, bars, lounges, and retail all over the world. Like I said, I want to travel and I want to design. Who says I can’t have my cake and eat it to?!

Now after completing this exercise I feel less anxious about what’s next and ready to embrace it!