Goals:
The Academy of Art University has been a unique experience and has taught me so much about myself personally and professionally. When I begin this process I envisioned myself as someone working in a large design firm flying around the world, working on various projects, driven by the excitement that I would be creating interior architecture that you stand the test of time. I would move up the chain to project management, and spearhead a team of designers, and be recognized for my talents in publications and end of the year dinners. Great dream, huh? Reality Check: this dream is not for me. I’ve learned and accepted that this is not the dream I want anymore. We have dreams so we can strive for our best selves, but as we grow and evolve our dreams have to change. Recently, I am more aware of the direction I want to go with my life and career. To reveal to you the goal for myself you need a little back story. I went to an ASID student meeting in Orange County not too long ago and two questions were posed to the audience-
1. What are you truly great at?
2. What do people thank you for?
These questions really had me thinking and here is what I determined. I am really great at customer service and providing a level of personalized attention. I have always been successful at giving individualized attention and making people feel confident in their decisions. What people thank me for is my honesty in executing a desirable end result. People like feeling taken care of, they like feeling confident in their decisions and they like a certain level of professionalism.
I was also told during this meeting to work on the skills you are truly great at and for the skills you are not so great at, well, you can always hire out. It made perfect sense- why would I not develop the skills I am really good at? Be an expert at what you are truly great at doing and do it every day.
Goal: Own and operative an interior design practice
I’ve discovered through the Academy that “Yes” I am an exceptional decorator. Yes, I used decorator. I like furniture, fabrics and finishes. I love product and using product to transform a space. I like working one on one with a client. I like managing myself. I also realize that owning and operating an interior design practice will not always be glamorous, but I think with time and practice I will only get better because I know what I am truly great at.
Spring 2012- Finish Thesis Work
Establish Fictious Business Name
Trademark Name
Design Assistant for an Interior Designer (internship-part-time)
Summer 2012 Design Assistant (Exerpeicne #1)
Work on Small Projects (craigslist postings, school job boards)
Branding (Logo, Colors, Business Cards)
Website Development
Resale Number
Summer 2012- Onward: Be Ready for the Unexpected
Mission Statement:
The vision I have for my practice is to approach each client’s project on an individual basis. Every client is different and I am in a business about people. Each client will have certain wants and needs; therefore, each client will have a different vision and design aesthetic. My goal is to guide my clients so each project becomes repertoire of the client’s personality, interests, passions and taste. I curtail the interiors to create a unique and personalized aesthetic providing for each client a lifestyle with personality, taste and individuality.
