SimplymeCWB

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Reflections

My first year in the IARC department was filled with all sorts of mixed emotions. I’m not a traditional student, by age, which naturally can be a difficult as well a different experience than for most. On the other hand, having been in the workforce for many years I brought with me a certain level of confidence, skill, and fear. Being in the workforce was safe and the rules were straight forward and written in stone. Unlike being in the IARC program…where you are giving assignments with no rules or a limited amount of parameters, therefore, you are free to express yourself and get creative. When it was time to produce I found myself wanting to be rational instead of creative. I needed rules and more guidelines. When it was time to draw or render, I wanted to be at home cooking dinner, because somehow it felt like doodling and coloring. It was so hard to separate school from home and try to balance it all. I was always finishing an assignment with another waiting. This was true for home life; there was always two of the three children who needed to be in two different places at the same time. Therefore, I struggled with time management in the 1st semester.
Soon after the 2nd semester started, I quickly discovered that all the doodling and coloring; I’d developed a new skill. I am now able to communicate my ideas on paper and I was actually executing a part of the design process. I also learned to manage and utilize my time better. I found that there is no way to succeed in this program without implementing a time management strategy. I’ve also learn that REDO and REVISIT is a must. Previously I went into a project believing that my initial ideas and visions were the best and final. I didn’t have time for REWORK. I’ve since learned that this is so far from the truth; there could be a number of elements that will cause you to change your ideations over and over again, like the materials.
All and all it was a great deal of growing pains that was well worth it.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

From loading dock to Studio - Programming

B. Smith is a pioneer in the lifestyle category whose talents and expertise span a wide range of specialties. An African-American who is at the forefront of a trans-cultural movement, she possesses a unique ability to merge cultures through a shared appreciation for style. Smith regularly offers advice to television and radio audiences, reaching others as an author, and has also earned kudos as a restaurateur and home décor authority. A native of Pennsylvania, B. (Barbara) Smith began her career as a fashion model, going on to grace the covers of 15 magazines including Mademoiselle, becoming the first African-American woman on its cover in July 1976. Smith’s flair for décor, demonstrated in the ambiance of her restaurants, led to the development of her first home collection, which debuted at Bed Bath & Beyond in Spring 2001. The B. Smith with Style Home Collection is the first line from an African-American woman to be sold at a nationwide retailer and includes bedding (duvet and comforter sets, coverlets, quilts, coordinated sheets, decorative pillows, window treatments) as well as tabletop, bath ensembles and area rugs, doormats, wall art, candles, bathroom furniture, and paper products. At the 2009 October High Point Market Show B. Smith will introduced the B.Smith Home Collection featuring case goods and occasional furniture collections from Hammary Furniture, a division of Lay-Z-Boy and upholstered furniture with Miles Talbot. The B. Smith Collection will also feature area rugs from Surya, mirrors from Roma Home Décor and wall art from Picture Source.
http://www.bsmith.com/about_b.php