The weird part is I woke up one day and it just kind of happened. I woke up and just felt like an adult. Let Thursday, May 16th, 2013 go down in history.

A huge part of this sudden adulthood comes from working full time at my internship with Cuningham Group. I wake up at 6:30am Monday-Friday and work until 5:00pm. I get an hour lunch break in the mix of things where I can do a variety of things including grabbing a bite, sitting outside in the St. Anthony Main or Northeast areas, running errands, or working through it if things at work are busy enough. It's a big adjustment to make in comparison to life as a college student, but I'm really loving it so far.

The biggest difference in working full time is that once you show up to work, you're going and going and going from 8:00am-12:00pm, then you take your break (an hour), and then you come back and you're going and going and going again until approximately 5:00pm. After that you go home and have a huge chunk of free time until the next day and you also normally have a weekend that includes little to nothing about work, just emails here and there. Life as a college student goes all day, but it has lots of ups and downs mixed in. You go to class, then have a break to cruise BuzzFeed on your laptop, then you hop on the bus and head to your next class, then maybe you meet with your group about a new project that was just assigned, then you go home and watch some quality television followed by a coffee shop session to plow through your homework.

Both lifestyles are cool for different reasons, but having some variety in the summer months by actually having a set schedule of the things I must do is really nice. Other things that have me feeling like an adult include recently turning 21, applying for my first credit card, signing up for a gym membership, considering 401k options and starting auto-payments for my student loan debt (the last two with the help of my boyfriend who happens to be a business student).

Growing up is hard at times, but I won't lie and say it isn't fun too!

Ashley Ochiagha
Interior Design

This past weekend I made my big debut as a model! It was a super exciting experience and I hate a lot of fun.

I was modeling for RED: [Super] High Fashion, a fashion show put together by a group on campus called Fashion & Business, or FAB. They work hard every year to create a theme and concept for their annual fashion show. From there they recruit apparel designers (many of them are students from the College of Design). The designers find their models and create their looks, then after all of the fancy show production details are set, it's time for the runway! This year each designer created three looks: one superhero, one villain, and "the cape". It was really cool seing how every designer had a different take on the three looks and the end results were so impressive.

I love being in the College of Design because I have met so many amazing people from various majors. Because we're such a tight knit community, I'm friends with students from all of the different majors. That's how I met Tess Ross, the designer I modeled for and if I hadn't met her, I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to model in a fashion show.

It was such an awesome rush of endorphins and I really loved the whole experience. Hopefully I'll be able to model again sometime!

Until the next one,

Ashley
Interior Design

Over the past two weeks, my Interior Design Lighting Codes & Safety class worked on a project where we designed a mobile television set for a TV show locally filmed called Imprisoned Show. The show's host, Bukola Oriola, is a survivor of human trafficking and she interviews relevant guests in each episode. In addition to interviews, she hopes to expand the topics of her show to include international cooking segments and outdoor filming among other things. Because the show is revving up to take on more topics in addition to being produced more frequently, they needed a new set design which is where my class came in.

My professor, Dr. Abimbola Asojo, received a Fairchild Topical Issues Grant which is why this project will be able to go from an idea to a reality. Thanks to grants like this, amazing things can be produced within our community. Because of the work my class put in and the Fairchild Topical Issues Grant, Bukola and her team will now have the designs and funding to get an awesome mobile set which will allow them to enhance and improve Imprisoned Show.

It was hard designing a mobile set, but such a huge learning opportunity! We visited the TV studio she currently films at located in Blaine, MN. There, we learned some of the basics about lighting a TV set. Some of the things we had to consider were cost and global flattering of a wide variety of skin tones. We did photometric calculations to determine the amount of lighting and we research to figure out different equipment we would need.

The most rewarding part of the experience was when we Bukola and some of her team visited our class to see the proposed design solution presentations. (see photo)

If you'd like to learn more about her show and how you can make a difference, please visit the Imprisoned Show Facebook page and "like" it so you can stay up to date with their progress. I should also mention that Imprisoned Show has a fundraiser coming up in June! More information about that can also be found on the facebook page.

It's great that interior design can contribute to such a wide variety of arenas. I never knew I might work on a TV set design for a show about human trafficking, but the fact that I can make an impact in my own special way for a really great cause warms my heart and makes me excited for future opportunities to help!

Until the next one,

Ashley
Interior Design

I haven't mentioned anything about this in earlier posts because it was all so tentative, but now that I've officially had my first day interning, I feel like I can tell you that I was recently hired as an Interior Design intern at Cuningham Group. I cannot begin to express my excitement and overall happiness.

Some of you might wonder how I landed an internship in the first place. Good question. The answer is NETWORKING. You've heard it before and you'll hear it again - it's all about who you know. The power of networking is incredible and it got me an internship at a dream firm.

It all started back in February... I attended an NEWH Speed Mentoring event where I was able to cycle around to different tables and chat with designers and sales representatives for a little less than 10 minutes each. In that short period of time I was able to leave a lasting impression. Because of that impression, about a month later I got an email letting me know Cuningham was in need of an intern ASAP. I sent over my resume and online portfolio and I guess you could say the rest is history because I interviewed and got the job.

I am eager to see what the future has in store with me, but I am so happy and excited for the way things are lining up. I'll try to keep you guys posted about my internship experience!

Until the next one,

Ashley
Interior Design

Today in my interior design studio, we focused on concept development for our current museum design projects. Concept development process work can include coming up with concept words, sketches and even 3-D models. It's fun to think in a conceptual, abstracted way and really break through to a new way of brainstorming.

In the photos I've included you can see a lot of group work happening. Our museum project is broken up through the class so each group (made of 3 or 4 students) will design their own museum. Group work is always appreciated during school because it is very rare that you will work on projects alone once you are at a design firm. Being able to learn the skills necessary to successfully work in a group now are essential for thriving as a professional. Some of these traits include compromise, communication and being able to take in criticism.

So far I've really enjoyed working in my group! I'm working with Sean and Ashley and we are gelling really well together so far. We utilize technology resources like Google Drive and Facebook so even when we aren't face to face we are able to continue the design process and share our ideas with each other. Our generation is so lucky because we have so many ways to communicate with one another outside of class and it really shows in the finished product because every element of the design solution is especially well thought out.

We've still got some work to do before the end, but I'll keep you posted as we work along!

Until the next one,

Ashley O.
Interior Design

It's April 8th today and even though the weather isn't shining quite like spring, that doesn't mean I can't get a jump on spring cleaning. Spring cleaning falls into a lot of different sectors of my life. It's anything from my closet and wardrobe to the files on my computer. For me, it's nice to take a break about mid-semester to tidy up my life a little bit since things can get hectic from time to time.

Last night for instance, I cleaned through my closet and dresser to start pulling out my warm weather threads and to start stowing away my heavy duty sweaters and hoodies. It's gotta warm up sometime soon so I'm making sure I'll be ready when it does! I also sorted piles of clothing I would like to part with and could potentially sell at consignment shops like Buffalo Exchange and Plato's Closet or clothing that would be good to donate to places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Recently I also bought a new computer and I have been working to transfer over my data and organize it in a neat and practical manner. As a design student, I have a lot of large and important files on my computer and organizing those is key to my efficiency. Since I'm also working on my portfolio and my website, archiving past projects has become essential and adds to why organizing my computer is so crucial.

Besides those major projects, I'm also doing basic things like cleaning out my office space in Student Services, my locker at school, and my car. If I do a little each day, I think I can be done by the end of the weekend. Wish me luck!

Ashley
Interior Design

When most people think of research, they tend to cringe. To be honest though, I think that's just because they don't know how much fun research can be! In my Interior Design Studio IV and my Lighting Design, Codes and Safety courses, we have been introduced to the concept of precedent studies. A precedent study is basically initial research on a topic to help you develop a solution for a current project. In this case, we are doing precedent studies on existing museums to help us better learn about what works and does not work for museum design, the crucial elements that must be included, and the newest innovations.

My studio group of three students including myself decided to design a museum that would house various types of sculpture. We are required to do three precedent studies (one in person and two online) so we split them up amongst ourselves. I took the in person study and visited the Weisman Art Museum on campus. This museum was perfect for our initial study because it housing a dynamic collection of sculpture ranging in size and medium.

While at the museum, I was able to interview staff and snap a number of photos. The next step will be to organize and depict my findings in a informative report.

Research like this is fun because it is directly applicable to a project I am currently working on. It's also always fun checking out museums and new exhibits, so I really can't complain about a homework assignment like that!

Until the next one,

Ashley O.
Interior Design

When crunch time rolls around, it's crucial that I have the right place to hit the books and get down to business. For me, the location really depends upon my mood. What's great about the U of M campus is that there is a dynamic blend of study spaces fit for everyone and every mood.

Libraries
When I need peace and quiet I always head to Walter Library. It's located on the East Bank of the U and is fairly central because Coffman and Dinkytown are nearby. Usually, I'll plan to grab dinner somewhere and make sure I'm fueled and ready to work hard. It's nice because Walter also offers tutoring so if I ever get hung up on my homework I always have a place to go for help.

Coffee Shops
Coffee shops are another great option when I want to get a lot of work done but in a lighter, more casual way. I really enjoy changing it up so I frequent many different coffee shops in the area. Some of my favorites include Espresso Royale, Purple Onion, Dunn Bros, and Caribou. Studying in a coffee shop is nice because you can invite a friend or a few and make it a social experience that is also productive. You also can't go wrong when you've got a constant source for fresh brewed coffee and yummy pastries.

Studio
As a design student, the studio is near and dear to my heart. When I have a big project, the studio is the perfect place to go to spread out and jump in. It's great for group collaboration, but it's also nice when you are working individually because you have a lot of space to get focused and really run wild with your ideas. I typically head over to McNeal Hall because the 4th floor is like interior design home base. I find that coming to work in a place where my classes are held helps me to keep focused.

In addition to the places I highlighted, there are more study spaces on campus including the student unions, classrooms, and outside when the weather permits! Leave a comment and let me know where you like to study.

Until the next,
Ashley
Interior Design

So maybe I'm not going on that dream vacation over spring break to the Bahamas that I've ben planning since I was 10 years old... but I am staying in the beautiful (and snowy) Minneapolis for break. With all this free time on my hands, sure I could nap, Netflix, and not do nothing at all, but instead I want to do something I'll be proud of this break. I vow to be productive.

It's officially day one, and I have definitely stuck to my goals of productivity. This morning I had an informational interview at 8:00am with a professional from a local firm. After that I had another meeting with Frederic MacDonald, the Director of MCAE (Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence). After my meeting with Frederic, I went in to work at the Student Services office for a little over 5 hours in preparation for the Architecture Networking + Portfolio event, among other things. Now I'm sitting at Espresso Royale, a coffee shop in Dinkytown, and I'm working on my online portfolio.

It's been nice being productive because I have some flexibility and variety from my usual class schedule. Although I don't have to, I still make sure to get up early in the AM and not waste away my days.

Other goals for break I have include:
- working on my resume
- writing a paper for my Art History class
- updating my LinkedIn account
- etc.

We'll see how I do, but wish my luck! I'll keep you guys posted in next week's blog.

Ashley
Interior Design

I got some exciting news in my Lighting course today - new project! We had representatives from LaCrosse, Wisconsin come in today to talk to us about the bridge project we will be working on.

Basically, the city of LaCrosse is looking to add lighting elements to an existing bridge in the Riverside Park area. This bridge is a major focal point of the area and they are hoping to heighten it's relevance and overall presence. The representatives were very passionate about the experience they wanted the bridge to create and enhance.

It's fun getting a project that applies the skill set I have acquired through my interior design education thus far in a new, interesting way. I never thought in a million years I'd be designing the lighting plan for a bridge, but I can't wait to get started!

What's even cooler about this assignment is that if they like our designs, there's a very high chance they will be implemented. How awesome would it be to visit a bridge that had your design incorporated in it? That thought serves as further motivation to really push myself on this project.

I'll keep you all posted once I get a chance to start sketching and researching.

Until the next,

Ashley
Interior Design

So it's finally the big day - we are presenting our lighting fixtures to the client! Since they are located in Dallas, Texas, we skyped the clients in and presented in front of the web cam as well as our class. We were also lucky enough to have Barry Kudrowitz, a product design faculty here at the university.

In addition to the presentation board I am posting, we also submitted our actual built fixtures and technical drawings. It's nice that we got to be creative, hands on, and technical all in one project. I feel that I really enhanced my revit skills through this project and I also had a lot of fun working in the wood shop to construct my fixture.

Working in product design is pretty high on my list post graduation, so I was really happy that a project like this was incorporated into the curriculum. I'm hoping before I graduate I'll have time to take a product design class or two to further supplement my interior design education.

Until the next one guys,

Ashley
Interior Design

Over the past few weeks, my Lighting class has been working on designing a lighting fixture. What's especially cool about this project is that we are collaborating with a company names Groovy Stuff located in Dallas, Texas. Essentially, they are our client and we are designing lighting fixtures that fit their look, feel, and style while incorporating our own point of view. Each student has been working on multiple prototypes for the project and we have been using Facebook to communicate with each other, our professor (Dr. Asojo), and the guys over at Groovy Stuff (Chris and Lee).

The first stage in this project was sketching and sketching and sketching to come up with multiple prototypes and options for the company to choose from. We uploaded our sketches to the Facebook group we all share and we were able to recieve feedback. From there, the design process really took off because after each bit of feedback, changes would be made, new ideas would be born, and another set of sketches would be uploaded. Over the course of time, I came to a point where I was really happy with my design. I was able to share my sketches once again and explain my idea from a conceptual and functional standpoint. The clients seemed to really like my idea, so I decided to run with it!

Yesterday, our class met in Rapson Hall so we would have access to the wood shop and technology labs. I found my materials (lots of free, scrap wood!) and started talking with the employees of the wood shop to better understand the logistics of my lighting fixture.

So far, I have built a frame and stained it which you can see here. Maybe if I make more progress I'll do an additional post about it! Let me know if you guys would like that :)

Until the next one,

Ashley
Interior Design

My professor Dr. Asojo and two 3rd year interior design students, Carol Erklouts and Tawana Terrell recently completed a UROP project. UROP stands for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. It is a program that allows undergraduate students to conduct research, learn independently, gain funding and be compensated for work. It might sound scary or intimidating, but it's actually fairly easy to set up. You just need to submit a propsal and find a faculty mentor. If you'd like to learn more about how to get started, check out this link.

For Dr. Asojo, Carol, and Tawana's UROP project, they worked on the interior and lighting design of a science lab for a K-8 school, St. John the Baptist Catholic School in New Brighton, MN. They began by conducting initial research which quickly became more and more indepth as they learned more about what the space would require for optimal functionality. Once the data was collected, the design process of a new and improved science lab began.

They attended a fundraising event that the school hosted and presented their design solution early in February. The design solution was so compelling, that it helped to secure funds so the project could go from a plan to a reality.

When I think about the impact interior designers have on the community, it really solidifies how important the profession is. This UROP project inspires me and I hope to conduct a project of my own this summer or in the Fall 2013 semester.

Oh yeah! And before I forget - if you are an admitted CDes freshman for Fall 2013, I hope to see you at the Dean's Reception this Saturday! I will be there with many other bloggers, faculty, professionals, and current students. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'd be happy to find you answers! You can also directly get in touch with Lori Swenson at 612-624-6250 or lgilbert@umn.edu.

Until the next one,

Ashley O.
Interior Design

So in my previous blog posts, I've talked a lot about the IEEE Student Lounge redesign project we've been working on in studio. We finally presented last Thursday and it feels so good! As I move into the second semester of my second year, one thing I've noticed is how much the pace picks up for individual projects. At first, it was kind of scary thinking about doing an entire project in 3 weeks, but now that I've done it, I can honestly say I have no complaints. It is a really rewarding experience to be able to work through the design process and go through each stage and come to an awesome end result in a quick amount of time. In past semesters, I would have had 2 months for a project that I am now able to complete in 3 weeks. It really goes to show how much I've grown, progressed, and learned in the interior design program. It felt amazing being able to present a project I was really proud of to a real life client. From here, the next steps are for the clients to review each individual design solution from my peers and I and decide on a solution or elements of multiple solutions they like. Once that's done, they are actually going to implement the design that they like into their student lounge. It's really cool to think that something I created could become a real life thing! Cross your fingers for me.

Ashley O.
Interior Design

Hi Guys! Hope all is well.

So for this week I wanted to give you guys a little peek at what I'm working on in my Interior Design Studio. I'm not sure if I told you guys, but we got a really awesome assignment where we are redesigning a student lounge located on the East Bank of the U of M. It's an Engineering building and the student lounge is dedicated to an engineering organization called Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE for short. During the first week of classes, our studio sections went to the student lounge to assess the current state of the space and interview the client. It was really interesting getting to actually go and speak with students who use the space to see what they would need out of a proposed design solution. We took measurements, snapped photos, and jotted plenty of notes.

After this initial meeting, the next step was to organize thoughts and start brainstorming for concepts and concept images. Concepts are important in design because they help to guide your design process from schematics, to preliminaries, to finals. My concept words were "structured", "connected", "fresh", and "progressive". The concept images help to illustrate what the words selected mean.

After working on conceptual stuff, the next step was to move into space planing and preliminary floor plans. After we got things sketched and modeled, we presented our initial thoughts, concepts, and plans to the client. My next step is to use the feedback I have received to improve my space plan. After that, I'll finalize products, color themes, and other little details.

I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

Ashley O.
Interior Design.

I feel like every time I start a new semester, I try out a new means of organization for my classes. In the past, I've tried physically taking notes in individual notebooks and keeping one binder just to name a couple of the things. This semester though, I'm trying out using my laptop. I'll admit, I've done this in the past, but this time I've got a really good feeling about it.

For starters, computers appeal to me because I can easily reference my notes and everything is legible... I have spell check, and I can easily access notes from course websites to supplement my lectures and study sessions. It's kind of like a magic notebook/binder/planner/computer all wrapped up into my handy (and lightweight) laptop. Since I use a lot of electronic organization as it is, it's kind of nice that I'm always on my computer and always in touch with everything I need. I use Google Calender like it's my religion, I'm obsessed with my email, and obviously I love blogging. By having my personal computer on me at all times, I always have everything handy and I am always able to be productive. Studio IV and my Lighting Design and Safety classes both have a lot of group projects in store for us this semester, and since many other students use Google Calender, it makes it really easy to set up meetings and communicate.

So far, I'm also really liking my laptop for taking notes during lectures. I used to be big on handwritten notes because it gets ingrained in my brain initially better, but I find I can take more thorough notes via my laptop and from there I usually make handwritten flash cards with the important content.

I'll keep you posted on how this digital method goes, but I sure can say I like it so far! How do you guys like taking your notes? Leave a comment below!

Until next time,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

Hey guys! So today is the first day of the spring semester. I'm doing this blog post a little different by giving you little updates as my day goes along. Here we go!

7:20AM - Man oh man, can you say early morning? I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it sure has been awhile. I'm just waiting for my english muffin to pop out of the toaster, then me, my roommate Lauren, and our friend Marie are heading to the campus connector bus stop to go to our first classes of the day on the West Bank.

10:06AM - Stopped by Coffman to mail a few things I sold on Amazon. One of the things was an old textbook I found in my room from freshman year. Selling stuff via Amazon, the UMN textbook exchange facebook page, or the Bookstore on campus are easy ways to earn a couple of extra bucks as a college student and I highly recommend it! I also ran into my friend and co-worker, Drew, so now we're sitting and prepping for our next classes.

11:28AM - On my way to meet my friend Tina in the St. Paul Student Center. She's a good friend who I used to work with back in the day and she's applying to a graduate program here at the U. I'm so excited to hear about what she's been up to and how the process is going! Afterwards I've got Interior Design Studio.

1:17PM - Just got out of studio, and early too! Gotta love the first couple days of class, right? It was really nice getting to see everyone from last semester and I am really excited to get working again! Today we got our first project of the semester. We'll be redesigning a study space located on campus. It's especially cool because on Thursday we'll be touring the space and interviewing the client and once we're done with our solutions, we get to present them not only to our class and professor, but the real life client. From there if they like someone's project, it might just happen for real.

2:48PM - Whew! Home at last, for now that is. It's been a really good day and I have zero complaints. In a little bit I'm gunna meet up with my friend Hilary so we can grab a slice at Mesa. After that I'll head home, relax, and prep for tomorrow.

So in sum, that's a breakdown of how my day went! I hope you guys enjoyed and I'll talk to you next week! :)

Oh yeah, and before I forget - the Dean's Reception is coming up! It's an event for newly admitted College of Design students to come and see the campus, meet current students (including many of the CDes bloggers), have some lunch, and learn more about what the College of Design and U of M have to offer. I'll be there and it'd be awesome to meet some of my readers in person, so I hope to see you there!

Until the next one,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

Yeah, so that pretty much sums up my reaction to the realization that school resumes in less than a week. It is absolutely crazy how fast break flew by! But then again, doesn't it always? After almost an entire month off from school, I suppose it probably is about time to get back in there for the spring semester.

In order to prepare for the upcoming semester, I've been keeping busy these past few days. One of the major things that I have been working the hardest at is getting organized. Anytime I'm starting something new, and especially something like a semester, I feel like one of the most important things I can do is organize the heck out of my life. Of course, there's the usual stuff like getting your folders, supplies, and textbooks, etc., but other priorities for me include deep-cleaning my room, sorting through my closet for items I want to donate or sell (at places like Buffalo Exchange, Everyday People, etc.), cleaning through and updating my laptop. Maybe some of my to-dos seem irrelevant to the beginning of a new semester, but I honestly feel like a better person after doing those things and it helps bring good vibes to the new semester so I say it's 100% to do with it.

I'm mostly done with everything I want to take care of before the semester begins, but I do have a few of the things on my immediate to-do list. For instance, I need to look into partioning my Macbook Pro so it can run Windows 7 (so I can ultimately use software like Revit and Autocad on my mac). I also need to do a huge grocery store haul so I can have breakfast every morning, pack a lunch and maybe a snack, and cook tasty (and healthy) dinners.

I'm nervous, excited, anxious, and just about ready for the new semester to begin. I can't wait to have a solid routine again and I might regret saying this later... but I think I miss having homework, guys. Wish me luck for the new semester and I'm wishing it back your way!

Until the next one,
Ashley O.

Alright guys, I'm going to break this down for you, but don't be scared because I promise, it is SUPER easy. And before I jump into that, I'll give you an itsy bitsy back story as to what's got my mind on Informational Interviews...

I've been thinking about informationals for just about all of winter break. Now that the holidays are officially over, people are back in their offices and I am ready to get some face (or phone) time with professionals out there in the industry. Specifically, I have an informational coming up with a professional working at a local architecture firm that also has a hand in interior design. I should also mention that I got connected with her through a different informational I did back in October. There's a theme with informational interviews -- they get you connected. The things you learn supplement the things you learn in a classroom and then go beyond.

So about those steps...

1) ASK!
When it comes to informational interviews, the first thing you need to know is that they won't find you, you need to find them (in the begining at least). You need to be active and avid. There are plenty of professionals out there in any industry willing to meet for informational interviews, but your job is to stand out because there are also plenty of students and recent grads asking for them. Usually, ways of asking can include following up via email if you meet a professional at an event (where you cleverly asked for a business card), asking your career center or professors, or checking out LinkedIn. If you have firms that stand out to you, feel free to email someone working there and ask who you should get in touch with. Ultimately, asking won't hurt, the worst thing that will happen is a person won't respond. You know what you do from there? You move on and ask someone else. Maybe in a few weeks or month you can try again with that other person.

2) RESEARCH
Once you land your interview (and you will), do some reasearch! Check out the firm's website, look them up on LinkedIn, see if anything noteable pops up when you Google them. Make sure that when you go in, you know some things about the person or the firm that the person works for. You don't need to have all the answerers (that's why this is an interview), but it's nice to have some info you can springboard from. The rest will come when you start asking your questions.

3) PREPARE
Think about what you want to ask and talk about. Is there specific information you would like to know about that person, a project they worked on, or the industry in general? Is there any advice you're dying to get? Jot it all down, or better yet, type it all up and print a neat "cheat sheet" of questions and topics. This is good because even when your interviewer sees this, it just shows them that you are well prepared, organized, and that you respect their time. Another few things to think about in the preparation stage include your outfit and transportation. Usually you'll go buisness casual for something like this and you can check out Metro Transit if your interview is in the city and you need to take the bus.

4) BE AWESOME
Yup guys, I mean it. The last step is to be awesome. Go into that interview, chit chat, ask your questions, and show them you're a great person. Now I mean this subtly because the purpose of this interview is not to sell yourself, but rather to learn about them. But you are spending time with them and they are spending time with you so make a good impression because these days who you know can bring you a long way.

So I know that was a lot, but if you have questions, leave comments! I promise I'm here to help. And if this was helpful, bookmark this post.

Until the next,
Ashley
Interior Design

So it's winter break and for the most park, my agenda is relaxing and working. The one other thing I've been planning for a little while is a trip to Chicago which I recently came back from. It was a great time and a really fun adventure! We left on December 29th and stayed until January 1st. It was pretty awesome getting to do something new for New Year's this year. While we were there we tried some pretty interesting foods at various restaurants, toured the loop area downtown, and visited my aunt who lives just outside of the city.

Now that I'm back from my little vacation, there's a few more things on my agenda before school resumes in a few weeks. Some of the things I hope to accomplish include refining and updating my LinkedIn account, searching for summer internships, tweaking my resume, working at my part time job, and reading leisurely. I also want to keep working on my sketching and rendering from my interior design studio. I think over long breaks from school it's important to have balance between fun and productivity (and when possible, it's nice to combine the two). For instance, right now I'm hanging out at a new coffe shop called Publika in Dinkytown as I write this.

I'll keep you posted on what life looks like next week, but until then stay well!

Ashley
Interior Design

And MAN OH MAN, I seriously cannot wait. It's been a good semester, but I'm ready to put a lid on it and officially start my winter break. Right now, the only thing left on my plate is my Textile Analysis lecture final exam on Wednesday at 8am (bright and early). I've been studying my butt off, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I've still got a whole day left to fully prepare, so I'm really glad that I spaced out my studying over the span of a few days.

Some of the things I'm excited to do over break include applying for scholarships and internships. As appealing as a totally lazy bum winter break might be, I think productivity is even more appealing and it will ultimately pay off in the long run. I am hoping to have a full time internship this summer, and that isn't going to find itself. I have a place in mind, so that's step one, but I still need to work on my resume, cover letter, and application materials. I have some rough drafts, so on Wednesday sometime after my final I plan on heading over to Career and Internship Services to get everything looked at and critiqued. Having a resource like that which is so easily accessibly is honestly priceless (and actually, it's free guys). It's always a good idea to have an extra set of eyes or two to look at stuff like that, so I can't wait to get some feedback.

As for scholarships, I'll be hunting throughout the University website and beyond. There was also an email that went out about the 2013 President's Student Leadership and Service Awards. It could be a long shot, but I intend on applying for this since I do have leadership experience that I've acquired over the past few years. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

One other thing I'm really looking forward to over break is my trip to Chicago coming up. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and blog about it so stay tuned! :)

Until the next,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

Here's a question: Did you know you can come the University of Minnesota and get a customized College of Design tour where you get to see resources, equipment, and student work up close and personal? If you did know this, then great! If you did not know this, don't fret because tours are offered almost every Friday and will resume in the new semester beginning January 25th. If you're wondering who your tour guide would be... the answer is probably me! I give tours every Friday to students who are interested in Interior Design, Apparel Design, Graphic Design, Housing Studies, and Retail Merchandising. There's another awesome tour guide dedicated to Architecture and Landscape Design & Planning over in Rapson Hall (the other design building).

These tours are a great way to learn more about programs you are interested in as well as get a sense of what the campuses are like. It's nice because you see a dorm, get an info session, then get to view the academic side of things. Some of the highlights include seeing studio spaces for various majors, getting an inside peek at resources available, and the services such as Student Services or Career and Internship Services. By learning about what the College of Design has to offer while you are a prospective student, it really gives you an advantage once you come here because you already know so much.

If you're interested in setting up a tour, it's really easy! Just click here for more info.

Hope to see you on a tour sometime! :)

Ashley
Interior Design

When people attempt to define interior design, there are always mixed messages (some on par and others completely off). For instance, some people don't realize that interior design is NOT interior decorating and some people think it's just about throw pillows and paint colors. It's more than what the TV shows say and the fact of the matter is simple: interior design is so much more. It is about creating interior spaces that will garner optimal productivity from those who inhibit it. It is about providing comfort and safety. And you know what else? It's about hard work. Some would compare the term "interior design" to "interior architecture", and to be honest, I'd say they're close if not one in the same. Now technically, a graduate of an interior design program cannot call themselves an architect, but believe me when I say that the skill set is all there.

And speaking off skill sets, I want to talk about a project I completed today for my interior design studio course (IDES 2603). As I may have mentioned in a previous post, our big final project for studio is designing a retail space. Along with this project, one of the tasks was to design a custom casegood. If you are unfamiliar with what a casegood is, it is basically a piece of furniture that doubles as storage (think cabinets, dressers, etc). When I started in the interior design program, it never even crossed my mind that I would ever be designing a piece of furniture. It was such a cool assignment because we were able to create the perfect casegood based on our retail space. This casegood fit individual concepts and moods of the space and added a unique touch to the space because it we didn't have to use standard furniture.

The interior program here is great because it is thorough. They teach you everything you need to know and everything you would dream of knowing. I am learning so many things that will be applicable to my career as an interior designer one day. I remember back in Elementary School or Junior High when kids (me included) would ask, "when are we ever gunna use that??". It's really nice to know that I don't need to wonder that anymore.

Until the next,

Ashley
Interior Design

If you've never heard of networking, then listen to me closely when I tell you IT'S IMPORTANT. In a nutshell, networking is connecting with others. Specifically, I'm talking about the importance of networking with people, professionals, students, etc. in the design world and within your chosen discipline. There's probably a million and one reasons why networking is crucial these days, but for our purposes now, I'll just break down a one or two below...

+ Would you like to increase job guarantee after graduation? I'm assuming your answer is yes, right? Well then hop to it and get out there meeting people. The more connections you make during your time in college, the easier it will be to utilize those connections when you are job (and even internship) searching. Like the old saying goes, "it's all about who you know..."

+ Would you like to learn how to be professional? Again, I bet you do. (And if you already think you're a pro, then practice never hurts.) Networking with others gives you the opportunity to conduct yourself as the young professional that you are because you are interacting with professionals who have made it in the industry. By getting direct face time, you can really learn a lot about what to do and what not to do in regards to professionalism. And if you're worried, you can always prepare for your first few networking opportunities by checking out the Career & Internship Services office. It's an awesome resource right in McNeal Hall, and they can help you get ready to shine.

Now that you know WHY networking is so important, the next thing you're probably wondering is HOW. And let me tell you, it's a lot easier than you think. First off, there's lots of events the the College of Design's College to Career Program hosts that bring professionals right to campus and other events that bus students out to design firms (FOR FREE). When you meet a professional that strikes you as interesting and you'd like to form a connection, it's usually as easy as introducing yourself, asking for a business card, and following up via email. Just like that, you've made a professional connection. And it's always good to stay up on things like linkedin where you can easily maintain these connections. (Check out the blog post about it!)

I know that may be a lot of info up there, but if you have questions, don't hesitate to lave questions in the comments!

Until the next one,

Ashley
Interior Design

As I've transitioned into the second half of the semester, I have found myself at the starting line of final projects and the race to the end is about to begin. I've got plenty to keep me busy from now until the end of the semester, but the thing I must remember is not to burn out. When this part of the semester comes up, some people start to panic, but it is really important to take a step back and be mindful of endurance and pacing yourself if you want to succeed. I mean, when you think about it, it's a lot like running a race. You have an end goal (the finish line) in mind, and you need to get there quickly and efficiently without getting overwhelmed with the distance you will travel.

Right now, the biggest thing on my plate is my final project for my Interior Design Studio. We are designing a retail space from the ground up. Everything from the concept of the space to the client, floor plan and finishes (as well as many other things) will be completely up to us as individual designers. It's so exciting because we each have total control over what our store will become. It will be a lot of work, but I cannot wait to see the end result. Imagining that is what will keep me going through the duration of this project!

In my other classes, I also have some pretty big assignments. To be honest, I view these assignments as hurdles in the race (and I don't mean that in a bad way). My final studio project is the race that will consume the majority of my focus, but if I want to come out on top, I can't lose sight of the hurdles along the way.

I've included a picture of my most recent to-do list. This is the way I stay on top of things as I make my way through this metaphoric race to the end of the semester. I find that keeping track of everything I have on my plate in an organized way is the greatest tool I can utilize as I plow through my workload.

Until next time!

Ashley O.
Interior Design

This November I'm making some major changes, and I really really mean it this time. As the school year began and progressed from month to month, a slippery slope of spending threatened my wallet and my bank account. I was buying too many snacks, taking too many trips to the vending machine, shopping way too much, and finding myself going through drive thru after drive thru. Needless to say, this has been incredibly detrimental from a financial standpoint. With the holidays around the corner, I cannot afford to be broke. I want to buy presents for my loved ones and I'm planning a trip to Chicago; these things won't pay for themselves!

The rules of No Spend November are pretty simple. I'm only allowed to spend money on the two G's, gas and groceries. Outside of that, I honestly do not foresee a valid "need" to spend money on anything else. Of course there could be emergencies or things like that, and of course that's allowed, but I'm gunna try my absolute best to stick to the two G's and make things go according to plan.

Another thing I plan on checking out is the financial advising offered my the folks over at Live Like a Student (Now So You Don't Have to Later). In addition to financial advising, they offer a monthly newsletter with money tips and a website with more helpful resources.

Some friends of mine have joined me in No Spend November, will you?

Ashley O.
Interior Design

P.S. Tomorrow is election day, so you better be voting! If you need to find your polling place, click here.

As project season approaches, I feel like I've got a million things to do. I mean, yeah it's a lot to think about sometimes, but I also know its manageable with proper time management and good organization habits.

Right now I've got a group assignment, an individual assignment, and an individual project in my studio class. Personally, along with practicing smart time management strategies, I also need to be in the right locations to take care of business. One of the places I really like working is the studio after hours. I enjoy being there with minimal distractions and plowing through my to do lists. I also enjoy going to the library or coffee shops in the Dinkytown and Stadium Village areas when I need to do a lot of reading or if I'm writing a paper. Sometimes I'm hard at work for hours and hours and suddenly it's nightfall. I know sometimes I get uneasy about walking home after dark, but luckily the U has a lot or great safety programs to make sure it keeps its occupants safe. There's a 24/7 campus escort service (624-WALK) that's free and available across campus. They meet you wherever you are and walk you to the destination you specify. There's also the Gopher Chauffeur program where you can get picked up an dropped off where you need to go on the weekends.

It's really awesome that programs like this exist because I never have to worry and I know I always have a safe way of getting home. So much for that excuse when you're trying to procrastinate you homework, right? ;)

Til the next,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

"What do you want to be when you grow up?", an age old question. It's something most of us have been asked since we could comprehend the question. For me, I went through lots of stages through my youth. For awhile, my response was just a shoulder shrug, then I moved into super heroes and mythical creatures, and let's not forget the plan to become President I had when I was a 4th grader. Basically, my point is that we all go through stages where we wonder and ponder what we ultimately want to do with our lives, it's tough to pick just one thing. It was around middle school that I first started to consider studying interior design. I realized how much built environments peaked my interest and how the wheels and gears would turn in my head whenever I was introduced to a new space. I flip flopped for awhile, thinking interior design, then switching fields and thinking of becoming a lawyer, an event planner, a counselor, you name it. Since then, I have obviously chosen to study interior design, but what's great about it is I still have options.

You see, a lot of people hear that I'm studying interior design, and they immediately follow up with "what are you going to do with a degree like that??" They have no idea just how many routes an interior design student can go post graduation. Of course, there's the most popular route of interior design student turned interior designer. This is one option that appeals to me greatly, and within that there's more options of residential, commercial, etc. Another route? Product design. This is something that's sparked a lot of thought for me and the skillset I am learning for interiors can be applied to that field as well. Even now, sometimes I think of how awesome it would be to become an event planner, and guess what? It's another option. I've learned so much about organization and communication through my time in this program.

The interior design degree (just like all of the other design degrees at the U of M) are great because they give you options. You become specialized in a specific discipline, but you also receive a very well-rounded education. They literally give you the ability to go anywhere with your degree, and the once narrow seeming career route actually opens up and arches over all of the dreams you had way back when.

Until the next one,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

Sitting, waiting for class to begin. The clock strikes 3 'o clock. The professor clears her throat and announces that our next assignment is a GROUP assignment. Mixed reactions and expressions can be observed as you scan the classroom. And then, an eruption of chatter, no one word is recognizable.

Now, I don't know if any of this sounds familiar, but as many of us know, group projects are often associated with a wide variety of conceptions. These conceptions fall all across the spectrum of positive to negative. For some, when a group project is announced, jumping for joy only seems natural. And for others, shuddering in fear is an involuntary reaction. I fall somewhere in the middle of that because I see the pros and cons upfront.

So, to the point. Our first group project was announced last week in Interior Design Studio III. Group projects are pretty common in college and I've encountered them before. They usually don't scare be and I often look forward to working with a group. The thing though is that up until this point in our careers as IDES students, none of us had worked in teams to design something.

The task was to select materials and finishes that fit a concept. Our group selected the word "Alternative" to be the guiding inspiration. As we went along, we worked hard, collaborated, compromised, and in the end, we were able to achieve a selection fit for a rockstar. Of course, we hit our bumps and twists and turns along the way, but I honestly think group projects teach students more than they realize. The ability to work within a team is pertinent, and a curriculum that assigns group assignments helps to build that.

Until the next one,

Ashley O.
Interior Design

I may or may not have mentioned that I have a work-study job as an Office Assistant for the College to Career program here at the College of Design. The College to Career program is based out of the Student Services office in McNeal Hall (the design building on the St. Paul campus). My boss' name is Lucy Reile and she is the coordinator or this program. Basically, the reason College to Career exists is so that the gap between working professionals and students can be bridged. We offer a range of opportunities for connections to be formed through things like the Design Student and Alumni Board (DSAB) and our Mentor Program.

It's currently the Mentor Program season and at this stage we're finding professionals to pair with students in our varying disciplines. Once we've got that squared away, we will match students and professionals in time for our Mentor Program Kick-off event at the end of the month. It's an exciting opportunity for students to get very direct and individualized attention from people who were once in their shoes.

I also mentioned the DSAB. This organization consists of alumni of the College of Design and students in their third and fourth years of their studies. They meet a few times a semester and work to create events and engagements that will connect students with professionals and vice versa.

Programs like these are awesome and the relationships built as a result are priceless. I'm really excited to continue to get involved in my years here at the U.

'Til the next one,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

If there's one tip I have for students at the U (and especially design students), it's gotta be to GET INVOLVED. Interpret that however you want, but act on it! I promise, you won't regret it. Student involvement is huge for so many reasons. For one thing, it connects you to your peers so you have more than academics to relate to. The University has hundreds of student groups (and I swear I'm not exaggerating). It could be anything from a People Watching Club to Minnesota Medical Leaders and then of course, all of the groups in between.

I've tried my hand at a few student groups through my years at the U. I was in a few bi-partisan, political groups my freshman year. I helped to found the TOMS Campus Club (yes, the shoes). And this year I'm really getting into design related organizations. The two that I've joined are the Interior Design Student Association (IDSA) and Alpha Rho Chi (APX). Let me tell you a bit about each....

So IDSA is a student group by interior design students and for interior design students. We strive to connect students and peers with eachother as well as with professionals in the field. Things have changed a lot over the past years, and so far it's been a total revamping process. Things are going well so far and I'm really happy to be a board member. We have a mentor/mentee program, we'll host networking events and tours, as well as other fun events each month.

APX is one that I'm still pretty new to. I attended their kick-off meeting last week, and I'm pretty pumped to get involved with them. They have similar goals to IDSA, but they are a more over-arching organization as far as design disciplines go. Way back when, this was exlusively a professional fraternity for architecture students. Now though, it's focus is on all design and design related discipines. It's a really awesome way to get in touch with students studying to become architects, graphic designers, engineers, etc. When you think about it, these are because I could be working with in the future!

I'll keep you posted on how these groups are going throughout the year. I'm really excited for all of the awesomeness to come!

Until next time,

Ashley O.
Interior Design

Have you ever taken a class and a month into the course you feel like you still haven't learned anything? Let me just say, IDES Studio III is NOTHING like that! So far we're embarking on our fourth week and I feel like I've already learned so much about sketching and rendering. On Monday we had our first assignment due (check out the picture), and I'm really impressed with myself. I mean, I know it isn't perfect, but I think it's still pretty sweet that I've come so far so soon. We've been working on our colored pencil techniques (like the stroke and angle of the pencil) and we've started studying and practicing perspective drawing.

Perspective drawing is about adding depth to an otherwise flat composition. There are many styles and techniques of perspective drawing, but what we've touched on so far is 1-point and 2-point perspective. The picture I've included is of my first 1-point perspective finished product. The next assignment we have is for a 2-point perspective drawing. I'll make sure I upload a picture of that so you can get the idea!

In addition to colored pencils, today we also started working with markers for the first time this year which I'm super excited about!! I love learning how to make really professional looking renderings and I love finding seeing what I'm capable of. The ability to render is a major asset because not everyone is good at it. It's something I can list on my resume when I'm out there applying for jobs and internships. I think it's great how the Interior Design curriculum here is so well-rounded because I'm getting my hands into so many things. Hand-drafting, Computer Aided Design, 3-D Models, Rendering, this list goes on and on...

I'll be sure to check in next week and update you on what's new!
In the meantime, definitely leave question if you're wondering about anything.

Sincerely,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

So now that I'm approaching my third week of the semester, I thought it would be a good time to outline each of the courses I am taking.

Materials & Specifications (IDES 2612)
This class covers specifications related to materials and resources one might use when designing a space. It's an important class because you learn a lot about codes that when in effect, protect the user of a space. A particularly fascinating part of the class is the aspects of sustainability. We've been talking a lot about responsible design and the impact a designer can have on the environment.

CAD: Interior Design (IDES 2621)
This class focuses on teaching students how to use technology as apart of the design process. CAD stands for "computer-aided design", and it's exactly that. We are currently learning how to use Revit, a design program used to create floor plans, elevations, and 3-D representations of designed spaces. I'm impressed that I have the opportunity to learn this software in as a student because it's pretty much brand new and professional designers are just beginning to learn this software as well. Many people say Revit is the future for computer-aided design, and I feel lucky that my curriculum is up-to-the-minute.

Textile Analysis (ADES 2213)
This class dissects a wide assortment of textiles and studies the characteristics of each. It's beneficial because it helps designers to be aware of what types of fabric are good for specific uses. This class also has a lab where we conduct studies and experiments. We even light fabrics on fire from time to time to study burn rates!

Interior Design Studio III (IDES 2603)
Studio consists of learning a skill and then applying it by having an assignment or project to complete. Right now we're just getting into rendering, sketching and adding colors to drawings. We're learning how to do perspective drawings of interior spaces which is a helpful tool when you meet with clients and need to put an idea on paper asap.

If you have any specific questions about courses I'm taking, or anything else for that matter, do not hesitate to ask me! Just leave a comment below :)

Ashley
Interior Design

Hey! Hi! Hello! So I've got got about a week of classes for the Fall 2012 semester under my belt and plenty to catch you up on. First of all, let me just say I hit the ground with a running start this semester. From the moment I started school, I've been nonstop busy. Not in a bad way, just in a busy-bee-working-my-butt-off kind of way.

Here's a quick breakdown of the things I'm involved in:
Interior Design Student, Office Assistant, MCAE Ambassador, CDes Blogger, CDes Tourguide, Sales Associate, and so on and so forth.

Let's just say I've got a lot on my plate. From school to work to student organizations (and a million other things), I have a pretty jam packed schedule. Fortunately though, I usually don't feel very overwhelmed because I utilize organization resources such as my Gopher Guide Planner and Goolgle Calender. These are awesome tools for staying organized! Since the school year is still young, I've been working on getting all of my assignments, exams, and project deadlines recored into my planner. I've also been marking important dates in my Google Calender which is handy because I can set reminders weeks, days, hours, or minutes in advance. The benefits of using these resources is basically priceless, and it's stuff I wish I would have known my freshman year. When it comes down to it, the key is time management. In order to properly manage your time, you need to have an agenda, a list of things to do. Over the course of my years in school, I've learned to become more efficient as a student and as a person. Seriously, these are skills that are worth a million bucks, there's no time like the present to start getting organized!

Hope this helps!

Ashley
Interior Design

So today was the first day of Fall semester here at the University of Minnesota. It's crazy how fast summer came and went. I mean, it was definitely a busy summer, so I can see why! I worked two jobs, interned, and tried to have a social life.

I got things off to a good start today by waking up nice and early so I could make sure I was 100% ready for classes and work. I was able to take my time getting ready, sip a cup of coffee, and eat a solid breakfast.

The first thing I had to do today was head into the office to train in a new student employee, Carissa. We went through front desk procedures and tackled the basic tasks and information necessary for the job. I trained in another student employee last week, Lee, and it seems like both are super smart and way fast learners! They only just started and they're already champs. It's so nice that we're all able to work on campus, and especially right in McNeal Hall. A lot of us are design students who also have many of our classes in McNeal so you can't really get much more convenient than that. For those looking for on campus jobs, you can always check out the student employment website. Postings are updated pretty often and there's a wide variety of positions to choose from so there's pretty much something for everyone.

After training, I headed to my first class of the day, Materials & Specifications of Interior Design course. Pam Enz is the professor and I can already tell I'm gunna love her! The class will teach us a lot about building codes and the responsibility that interior designers have to make wise choices when selecting materials and creating floor plans. Once that class was over, I had a break to pick up some books and supplies from the campus bookstore. Then I headed over to my CAD course that is held in the computer lab. This class teaches us how to use 3-D design software that professionals in firms and businesses are currently using. It's nice going to a larger University because they're able to keep us up to date with what's happening in the real world.

Gotta go hit the books!
I'll post again next week.

Ashley
Interior Design

In the past week my schedule has been shaken up and changed completely, but for the better I'd say! Like I mentioned in a previous post, my internship ended two Fridays ago. And the following Monday, I went back to my job at the Student Services office in McNeal Hall over on the St. Paul campus. It's great to be back because I missed all of the lovely ladies (and Sean, our Graphic Designer) who work there. It's also nice because I've been getting back into a routine schedule of going to work at 8am and finishing up at 4:30pm. I enjoy working full time in the office during summers because I can leave my evenings open and plan on a set schedule. It's nice having work study through financial aid because it provides me with the opportunity to land jobs like the one I have.

Since being in the office this past week, I've done a lot of work with Lucy Reile, the College to Career Coordinator. We've been getting things rolling with the mentor program that CDes offers. The mentor program was created for Juniors and Seniors in any of the 7 majors that the College of Design offers. It's goal is to bridge the gap between professionals working in the design industries and students who are studying to become designers. The Kick Off is coming up in October, so it's a good thing we're getting a move on now.

Besides working, I've just been trying to enjoy the last of summer, working my retail job, and trying my best to get prepared for the upcoming school year. I move out of my apartment on Friday, and then I'll be moving to a house with six other girls, so a lot of work will go into making sure all goes well.

I'll have another post in two weeks (first week of classes), so until then!

Ashley
Interior Design

The beginning of August definitely crept up fast, and now I can't believe school is a literally a few weeks away. On one hand, I'm wondering where the heck my summer went, but at the same time, I've been busy. I've had weeks of fulltime work scattered throughout the summer as well as a part time sales associate gig. Then there's my internship, and oh yeah, that social life thing. It's no wonder the majority of my summer came and went in the blink of an eye.

With the school year quickly approaching, I'm trying my best to make the most of my time by being as productive as I can be. Below, I've created a little end of summer to-do list complete with explanations for each item:

1) Pick up books and supplies. This is important because I want to beat the rush. There's nothing worse than hitting the bookstore days (or the day before) classes start and finding yourself in a swarm of other last minute student shoppers. The other problem with waiting until the last minute is the fear of the bookstore being out of stock on certain supplies, etc. It's best to go as early as you can and take care of business so you can avoid any hassle for later.
2) Plan snacks and meals. If you're planning on living in the dorms, then you actually don't have to worry about this much or at all. And even if you don't live in the dorms, there's always the option of purchasing a meal plan or Flexdine so you're always covered when it comes to on-campus dining. Since I live off-campus, my plan is to find recipes I like and cook on the weekends, then I'll also purchase Flexdine for those unplanned snack attacks.
3) Clean out my computer and all of its irrelevant files. This is a good idea because going into the new school year, I'll have lots of new assignments, projects, and notes on my computer and I'll want them to stay clean and tidy. By cleaning out my computer, I can also delete old files that I don't need anymore so I can save on storage and potentially enhance the performance of my computer. It's a simple way to get a fresh computer feel without spending a penny.

Hope this helps guys! Good luck with your back to school prepping!

Until next time,
Ashley
Interior Design

So I'm just hopping into the sixth week of my internship, and with two weeks to go after this one, I'm kind of bummed. Interning makes time absolutely fly, but I wouldn't change a thing because I'm having fun and learning tons! A huge project of the store and one of my main focuses has been the front window display. With the Back-to-School season coming, it's prime time for retail stores, and Urban Outfitters specifically (that's where I'm interning) to change it up and revamp for the new shopping season. It's been an exhausting process working on so much display stuff, but it's been good for me too. Doing this internship has given me a more realistic and wellrounded perspective on what the job of a merchandiser actually entails. It's great getting this point of view because now I can decide if this is a job I would like in the future or if there are other things I'd like to explore. Below I've added a picture of the finished window display -- Let me know what you think!!

Ashley O.
Interior Design

My summer is such a whirlwind; it's busy every minute. I seriously think that sometimes I'm busier now than I ever was during the school year. I know that's probably not actually true, but for now, it really feels like it. For the most part it seems that I just always have somewhere to be, someone to see, or something to do. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not complaining over here, I'm just saying it like it is. Although the summer has been busier and more hectic than I can sometimes wrap my head around, it has also been lots and lots of fun.

I think I told you guys I'd give you a heads up on how my informational interview went, so here goes. I met with a woman named Jenn who works as a Marketing Director for an up and coming boutique. I'm sure you're wondering why I met with her if I'm studying interior design, but I believe it's good to create a wellrounded network of professionals because you never know what sort of connection might come up. It's was a brief meeting, but really fun too! We met at an adorable café in Edina and chatted about careers, career goals, and personal lives. She's so nice because she's genuinely interested in getting to know me and really just helping me and giving me advice. When we said goodbye, she said I could always call or email and she even recommended a few internships for me next summer.

Also, if you follow my blog, then you'll know about my current merchandising internship with Urban Outfitters. I'm a few weeks in and it's been one heck of an experience so far! Since I also work there as a sales associate, Urban has pretty much become my second home. I'm always there interning, working, or let's be honest, shopping. It's really cool though because I'm building relationships with my co-workers and managers, something I value as priceless. Like I've mentioned in previous blog entries, I'm interning for Sarah, the store merchandiser. With the Back-to-School floor-set changes underway, it's been a very busy time for us. What's great about this internship is the inside peak I get at the planning process, action process, and result or aftermath of what we have done. Another cool thing is the freedom to do a few projects on my own. Sometimes I get to dress forms according to what I think will be best, or today I got to merchandise some of our Entertainment shop. We also read floor plans and elevations to relocate some of our fixtures for the coming season. Another project I worked on involved creating signs for each new shop our store will feature. Check it out in the picture I've uploaded.

If you have any questions about my internship, or really anything at all, please don't be a stranger and drop a comment below!

Until next,
Ashley O.
Interior Design

And boy oh boy did it fly by! 6 AM mornings will do that to ya. If you read my last blog post, then you'll know about my internship at Urban Outfitters this summer. It's three times a week, 6-11 AM and it goes for eight weeks. Yeah, the mornings are much earlier than I'm used to, but I really can't complain because after I'm done interning I still have the majority of the day to work at my other job over in Rapson's Student Services office, or even just chill with the rest of the day off depending on what my work week looks like.

The internship is very informative so far, and even in just one week I feel like I've absorbed tons of knowledge and information. It's interesting learning about how a merchandiser works and what their process is. A lot of people don't realize the time or effort that goes into setting up a retail store, doing a window display, or dressing a form/mannequin (to name just a few responsibilities), but from what I've learned so far, there's practically a science behind it! There's a lot of number crunching involved to determine what items are selling or "paying the rent" and why that might be. Then merchandise placement changes and additions are carefully laid out based on strategies to boost focus on certain classes of merchandise (ie: dresses, men's pants, etc.).

In the next few weeks, we'll be really busy working on our back to school floorset where we'll be reworking the layout of the store. I have a strong feeling that'll be one of my favorite parts because it's the step that relates most to interior design. I'm excited to share what I know about floorplans and the design process because having the perspective of an interior designer is quite valuable. In addition to the floorset, I hear I might get to get my hands a little dirty working with our display artist. Power tools and building stuff! I'm pretty excited if you can't tell.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens with my internship in the next couple of weeks.
Until then,
Ashley
Interior Design

So I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this, but this summer I'll be interning with Urban Outfitters. The internship is Merchandising based, but it incorporates many interior design elements when it comes to retail/store planning. I start next week and it's 8 weeks long, three times a week. I can't wait to start and I'm super excited to learn some new things! I think the only part I'm not looking forward to is the early mornings - it starts at 6am and goes until 11am. It's crazy because this time last year, I probably would have slept during the entire shift I'll now be interning. Funny how times change!

This internship is perfect for me because as much as I love interior design, I also have a strong passion for fashion. (I don't care if that sounds cheesy!) It's nice that I can combine two things that I love into one internship experience. Something that's great about Urban Outfitters is that they want to make sure students get a custom experience from their internship, so you can structure it to hit key points of interest. Being an interior design student, my internship will have an emphasis on the overall structure and layout of the store as well as visual displays. I'm minoring in Retail Merchandising, so the internship will also highlight the more mathematical and statistical sides of the job. Overall, I think I'm in for a really well rounded experience that will help me mold and shape my goals for a future career. Afterall, I think that's what internships do best. They give a peek and a chance to walk in the shoes of someone working in an industry you have interest in. I look forward to this internship and internships I will complete in the future because I'll get a better and more clear sense of what Id ideally like to be doing with my life.

Stay tuned; in my next blog I'll definitely give an update on how the internship is going and what I'm learning. I'll be sure to include tons and tons of pictures too!!

Ashley
Interior Design

I cannot believe this is already the third week of summer! It seems like just yesterday that I was coming back from working my first day at the summer job, sitting on my futon, and thinking to myself, "this summer is going to drag and drag and drag." I'll admit, the first few days seemed like they went on forever and ever, but that's because I was getting used to a new schedule. An adult schedule. One where you wake up at 7:00am everyday, go to work at 8:00am, eat lunch at noon, continue working, and leave at 4:30pm to go to your respective home. So basically, it's like a 9-5, but like, not quite 9 and not quite 5. Close enough, though.

Now that I'm over the hump of the first few days of attempting to get into the groove, I can say I've finally hit a stride. I feel like I'm really starting to grasp all of my tasks and responsibilities at the Rapson Student Services office, I'm starting to get back into the loop at my job over in Uptown, and I'm making the most of my days in my leisure time. OH! And I've finally been reunited with my beloved car, Alfonso. (He's a Volvo.)

Hmm? What else? Some things on my agenda for the next few weeks include going to International Market Square, an interior design building in Minneapolis with tons of awesome samples and interesting people. I also want to get out to as many art museums as I can so I'll probably hit up the Walker Art Center and the Sculpture Garden (also both in Minneapolis) on a sunny day in the near future. I feel like I'm at such an advantage going to school in the Twin Cities, because I have so many amazing things right at my fingertips. Basically, my goal this summer is to soak up as much inspiration as I can so that I can go into next year with many fresh ideas and new perspectives. Did I mention I'm also planning a day trip to Chicago? Because there's that. I've never truly explored that city, and I can't wait to soak up the culture there (even if. Maybe I'll blog about it!

Until next time,

Ashley
Interior Design

Well, well, well. The end of the year had to come sometime, and with the summer following behind it, I can't say I'm too somber. This week has been quite the transition being that my last final was on Saturday and now I'm finished with school until the fall. As I mentioned before, I'll be working quite a bit this summer, and that has only just begun. And if I'm not working, I actually have this wonderful thing called free time. With all this free time, I've decided I need to set some summer goals.
1) Exercise or be active 5-6 times a week.
2) Read for leisure.
3) Self learn more on Adobe Illustrator.
4) Cook more.

I'm really excited about these goals because they are all totally attainable, as well as beneficial if I can stick to it and accomplish them. Along with those goals for the summer, I'll also continue blogging-- though it'll be every other week until fall. Don't fret too much though! Time flies and I'll be back with another post on May 28th.

Until then,
Ashley
Interior Design

Things are finally winding down in the academic department, though it is finals week. I've gotten two of my final projects/exams taken care of and I've got two more later in the week, but I'm really almost done and it's kind of hard to believe. The spring semester probably flown by faster than anything I've ever experienced. It was a busy time and I have A LOT going on. From school and work to my tonsillectomy, social commitments and portfolio review, life was pretty crazy. And even the fall semester--I can't believe how far behind me that is now. I hate to be cheesy or overly sentimental, but it honestly feels like just yesterday that I was walking into McNeal for my first day of classes. The year has been a whirlwind, but I'm so happy to see summer on the horizon.

And speaking of summer, I've got a busy one of those ahead of me too! I've got quite a bit lined up for myself, including working at Rapson, completing a visual merchandising internship, doing my retail gig and then working back at McNeal. It's going to be crazy hectic, but I'm also really excited! It'll be nice to have a break from school, but I'm glad I'll still be productive.

Until next week!

Ashley
Interior Design

This past Tuesday, I attended the SELPies-- an award show sponsored my the Student Employee Leadership Program (SELP), honoring Outstanding Student Employees. SELP also puts on workshops throughout the semester that student employees can attend. There's even a certificate you can graduate after you complete the steps listed on their page. It's a great program that does a good job of polishing up students who show promise.

In addition to other student workers and their supervisors at the SELPies, some my College of Design Student Services team were also in company. Gayle Whitney and Tiffany Thayer, office managers were there, along with my direct supervisor, Lucy Reile (thanks so much for the award nomination, Lucy!!). Patrick Puckett, Carlie Owens and Anna Heitz (not pictured) who were also being honored.

It was a fun event to attend, especially because I love my job! It's so reassuring to receive an award that reinforces the fact that you are good at what you do. I think the skill-set I have gathered from working as Lucy's assistant will really help me when I graduate and am out in the "real world" because communication skills are important in any field of work, and in my opinion, especially design. In addition to communication skills, I have also learned more about time management, prioritization, and professionalism. These are all important areas to excel at both currently and as a graduate.

Thank you and until next time!

Ashley
Interior Design

Final projects galore! And I'm not kidding. I have literally been swamped with final projects left and right! Last week I outlined some of the up and coming assignments on my plate, complete with lists of what I would do each day. Thank goodness I was on top of things...

I basically spent the entire weekend with two of my friends studying interior design, Marie and Darien. We were literally in the studio every single day of the weekend and into the week even. It's so nice having some friends that I've made in the program because they really motivate me to push myself and get my work done.

I'm sure you're probably curious as to what this final is! In a quick summary, the freshmen interior design students each designed a condo for a brother and sister, Jay and Laurie Larsen. These people are fictional, and each student gets the opportunity to expand on they client profiles and backgrounds. After doing research and programming, we worked into schematic design and started making steps towards creating a floor plan. After that step, we selected materials and finishes for the space and we designed the front door being used. It was a long and exhausting project lasting about 6 weeks or so, but so rewarding at the same time. We turned in part one this morning and I feel really good about my stuff. Part two is creating a 3-D model of the space, and I'm sure I'll blog about that next week!

Let me know if you want to know more about this condo! I'm basically obsessed with it, haha. Check out these pictures below!

Until next time,
Ashley
Interior Design

As the end of the semester approaches, the finish line is in sight. I'm so excited for the end of the semester, it's pretty much ridiculous. This year has flown by and I can't wait to put the mental stamp 'DONE' on my sophomore year of college and first year as an interior design student.

Along with the end of the semester come many, many end of the semester projects, exams, etc. For me, I'm great at projects. I'm usually pretty good at time management, and yeah, sometimes I procrastinate, but in the end I always power through. (They're not kidding about all-nighters in college.) Tests and exams on the other hand... those aren't a strength of mine. Usually, I kind of let the self-fulfilling prophecy effect set in and I prepare minimally for exams and tests, but this time will be different! I've been making flashcards like it's my job and I review my lecture notes often. I can see it making a difference already, and I might go as far as to say I'm kind of excited to take my finals.

Here's the breakdown of what's on my plate...
Fundamentals of Management (MGMT3001): one more group project/presentation, final exam
Multichannel Retailing (RM2215): another group project/presentation, group essay, final exam
Interior Design Studio (IDES1602): final project parts one and two (Next week I'll go more in depth on explaining this project!)
Foundations of Color (GDES1312): assignment 6, assignment 7, final quiz (this will definitely be more like an exam), and the final project

So. It's definitely scary looking at that list. I've got a lot ahead of me. But by being aware and starting early, I think I'll be alright (or better than alright). In addition to making flashcards like it's my job, I've also been making lists. I make a list for the week of everything I want and need to accomplish, then I break it down and make a baby list for each day. This is helpful because I go from stressing at the big picture to taking it one piece at a time.

Ashley
Interior Design

So today I had my very first MCAE Ambassador meeting! I don't know if I told you guys about MCAE (Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence) before, but basically it's a really cool resource here at the U that's targeted at multicultural students, though available to everybody! My interest in MCAE peaked back around the time of the Dean's Reception a little over a month ago. At the Dean's Reception I was apart of the MCAE informational session and I learned a lot about what the organization has to offer. There's things like tutoring, a place to hang out, and social connections as well as many other offerings. After hearing such good things, I knew I needed to explore what MCAE could be for me.

Not too long after the Dean's Reception, I received an email with a job posting for MCAE Ambassadors. Basically, I took it as a sign. A sign pointing me to an opportunity to branch out, get involved, and try something new. I applied, and a few weeks later, I heard back and found out I had gotten a position!

So back to this meeting I had today -- it was a lot of fun and very insightful! It was really cool meeting fellow students at the U who also serve as MCAE Ambassadors. We talked about upcoming events and it looks like there will be a lot of opportunities to volunteer, which I love! Meetings are going to be every Tuesday, and I'm excited for what next week's session will bring!

I hope you have an awesome rest of your week!

Ashley
Interior Design

Tonight I attended an event called Design in 7. It's an annual event hosted by the College of Design and sponsored by the Design Student and Alumni Board. Over the years, the event has become kind of a big deal. My boss is actually one of the people who helps to put on the big event, so over the past few weeks I did a few things to help prepare for the event. It's always fun when I get to see some of the behind the scenes of how the plan for an event comes to be an actual thing, and I love getting to go and see the final product.

(Fun "trading cards" with an illustration of each presenter! A nice takeaway because they look cool and they have information about each presenter on the back.)

It was a fun night, and all of the presenters did a lovely job utilizing the seven minutes they had to tell their story. Something I especially love about the concept of Design in 7 is having representation from each major in the College of Design. It's nice that the presentations are each just seven minutes because then you have the opportunity to get a peek at what another major/industry is about without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Overall, the event was definitely a success! There was a large turnout which is always a lot of fun, and there was an opportunity to chat and network with the presenters and other attendees.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Until next time,

Ashley
Interior Design

Have you heard of Linkedin? Do you know what it is?

If you don't... LISTEN UP! (And if you do, you just earned some brownie points!)

Linkedin, in a nutshell is like Facebook for professionals. Now I know all of you know what Facebook is, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it were in your current tabs on your web browser as you read this. The interesting thing about Linkedin is that it's a networking forum to display credentials, past jobs, current jobs, resume, expertise, etc. It's also a place designed to facilitate communication between professional to professional as well as student/aspiring professional to actual professional. I'm not too sure about feilds outside of design, but I do know that within design dicisplines, Linkedin is a must! Yes, a must! I am not kidding you. And it's great because it's free!

Linkedin has a lot to offer because it's basically a place to sell yourself and meet other people who do what you do (or what you want to do). It's not uncommon for people to find jobs there, in fact, I was almost taken on for a small retail related project (I'm working on a Retail Merchandising minor), but sadly that didn't work out due to some scheduling conflicts. Still though, the fact that that opportunity even presented itself to me should speak volumes to what Linkedin can do for you. I know like I'm selling it big time, but I promise, asides from having an account, I don't actually even have association with Linkedin. I just happen to really love it, I suppose! And I can't recommend it enough. From what I know, it seems like everyone has one (the go getters, anyway, haha) so why not take the plunge and check it out? I promise you won't regret it!!

If you have questions about getting started, feel free to leave me a comment! I'd love to help!

Oh yeah, and click here if you'd like to connect with me!

Until next,
Ashley
Interior Design