The business of design

Design, by nature is a field vested in creativity. We work against the grain, break rules, and manipulate the "known" or familiar. This is perhaps best described by our department's logo, "ask forgiveness, not permission," but makes it difficult to consider how and where rules work into this business. To learn about the inner workings of these business affairs, we developed mock design firms, even dividing our groups into partners and staff. I worked with my group to devise the business plan. This was particularly challenging, considering the rigid, rule based nature of such a document, but with some precedent work it became more clear where the line must lie between business and design. We accuountd for pretend backgrounds of each team member, as well as the history of our firm. I enjoyed exploring the possible specifications to tailor to certain markets. In our case, Helix design caters to large, global investors and maintains relations with big business on an international scale. This sort of clientele was incredibly exciting, but terribly difficult to budget for. We are accustomed to small local projects with rather low budgets. To consider finances for a multimillion dollar skyscraper carried us into vastly unfamiliar territory.

Set apart from the rest

With such competition awaiting us in the job market, it's vital that we find ways of "packaging" our skills to best market ourselves to future employers. We worked to create our physical portfolios, but also generated a finalized resume and cover letter, "leave behinds" and a CD of our work. It was interesting to think of this as a "branding" for myself. My linked in profile and up and coming website are other ways I hope to network with the professional world. It's amazing what a long way networking can take you- I look forward to exploring my new connections.

Define: Me

One of the most challenging parts of generating my portfolio was deciding which projects best represented my skills. Its hard to eliminate work you were so heavily invested in, but I came to realize that my selection of work was my opportunity to define myself. Beyond the font, text, and graphics (also very important, but difficult choices), I aimed to choose work that represented my primary interests in humanitarian design, graphics, and design documentation.

Drumroll please...

Four years of sleepless nights and studio sunrises can make our work seem rather never ending. Computer bugs, last minute pinups, sleepy model mistakes- its all part of the studio experience that shapes us into the creative and innovative designers we are. I can honestly say that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing four years of hard work neatly presented in a polished, designed portfolio. Valuable as it is, a portfolio finally reflects a designers abilities. Down to its very construction and presentation, a portfolio can define a designer.

Marketing: Me

Gearing up for the real world...

With fourth year coming to a close and graduation fast approaching, the concept of life in the real world (or life beyond the IARC studio) is setting in. With the economy looking up, the design world is regaining its strength and we must realize the competition we face. There is a great deal of discussion pertaining to the definition of Interior Architecture. What separates us, as interior architects, from interior designers? And from Architects? And can we even title ourselves interior "architects"? And how do we answer these questions to find out place in the design world.

For starters, we will pinpoint our strengths. We are trained to consider space from the inside out. We understand the influence of design elements, while focusing on their interaction with form and shape. We have a comprehensive understanding of building systems, materials, and construction methods implemented into interior spaces and use these- often manipulate these- to shape space.

The design world is multi-faceted and ever-evolving and, as I have discovered, a realm with endless job opportunity. Considering our training, we now have to opportunity to determine what interests us and the confidence to go for it.

My Sister's House: Agi32 Exploration