Hope this isn't a sign....

So, the job hunt is still going full-force... with a few *cough* SEVERAL *cough* setbacks. Here's how my day of job hunting went in Des Moines last Friday:

Do you ever have those mornings where you feel like you just shouldn't get out of bed? That was my morning. I just had this feeling like I knew something was going to go wrong. But, instead of listening to myself, I got out of bed and got myself dressed and ready for my trip. Problem #1 : I can't find the right shoes. Dang. I looked everywhere--my closet, the shoe rack by the front door, deep in the pit of my closet... but no where to be found. I finally remembered I left them out in my car from the other day. Crisis #1 solved.
I got my portfolios, resumes and references loaded up into the car and finally hit the road. The drive started out nice enough--semi-blue sky, car working. As I kept driving, things quickly began to change. Dark, ominous storm clouds off to the west seemed to be coming my way. Not a problem now. I figured I would keep watching it, but I knew I'd be in the city soon and it wouldn't be a problem. Then problem #2 happened : the low fluid light came on in my car. I was told by my parents to just keep an eye on it. If it got too hot, I'd just have to pull over. I pushed on.
I finally made it into Des Moines and was by Merle Hay Mall. One block my car was still in the clear, the next minute the arrow points to hot. Crap. I pull over and look around. A Jiffy Lube is only one block away. "Ok car, we're going to make it this one block." I start it back up and quickly drive that block before I hit the red. While my car was worked on in the garage, a huge gust of wind came up. The workers quickly shut both of the garage doors and that's when problem #3 happens : the tornado sirens start going off. I hate storms. I do. They scare me. I figure I'd just wait it out there. The employee working on my car came and old me problem #4 : my fluid was extremely low, they put a whole can of coolant in, but found that it kept leaking out the bottom as soon as they put it in. Great. Well I had an appointment to make at 10:30, so I figured my car troubles weren't that bad and could wait. I hopped in the car, sirens still blowing, and drove to my first location. Then the rain hit. It was hard and it was strong and made the road difficult to see. I did, however, make it to my location just fine. Problem #5: I was locked out. Because the sirens had been going off, they decided to lock the doors. I sat in my car and patiently waited.
One interview down, off to my second location. This was just a walk-in to see if this firm needed any help or was interested in utilizing my rendering skills. I made it to the firm ok and went in. The woman wanted to keep my resume and references but felt bad keeping my portfolio because she knew it cost so much. Instead, a works sample will be emailed.
Off to the second location. I had mapquested it and found it in a business park in Des Moines. Bad thing about business parks : everything looks the same. So, I got a little lost trying to find it and ended up finding a granite distributor and showroom. Good thing to as problem #6 happened : my car began overheating again. I went in and had to wait around several minutes before someone came to help me. I told them who I was, etc, and they proceeded to tell me they don't "hire designers" and that I should "go across the street.... they might take you there." Sure enough the place I wanted was right across the street. Dur. My car barely made it. It was even closer to red then it was at Jiffy Lube. I went inside this beautiful showroom. It was absolutely stunning. I talked to the owner and she gave me an application to fill out and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I came to the store from the get-go. Awesome! I did what I had wanted to accomplish, so I headed out.
Then problem #7 : my car won't cool down. I'm stuck. I can't even make it out of the parking lot. Will was to the rescue and left work to come down and my parents (after having lunch) made the hour drive to help. I sat in the parking lot of this beautiful showroom with my hood propped up, door open and me hanging out trying to stay cool as the sun was now beating down on my car. This could be a long wait. One of the women I had talked to inside came out to her car leaving for her lunch break, saw me, and told me to go wait inside where I could have a water and a snack. How nice of them to do that for me! I was appreciative and took them up on their offer.
Will arrived and we went and found lunch at Subway. When we got back, my parents pulled in right after us. We hit the nearby Target for a couple cans of coolant, of which an entire can we put into my car. Dad drove it, and we ended up putting more in before we even got out of the parking lot. As we drove down the interstate, mom and I watched the coolant come off my car. My car is now waiting to be looked at by the Pontiac dealership.
Problem #8 : I left my apartment key attached to the car keychain... which was left at the dealership. Looks like Will and I will be coordinating who is home and when.
Problem #9 (unrelated to the job search) : I cut my arm on a piece of display glass at work and drew blood.
Needless to say after problem #1, I should've known to turn myself around and put myself back to bed for the day. I'm hoping after all of the crap I endured that day, that maybe one of those jobs will work out for me. Something good has to come out of it, right? Right?! I sure hope so.
Will keep you updated. Thanks for reading (sorry it was a long one!)
Love,
Amanda

Life...Post-Grad

Wow, it's been a long time since I last updated! And while I feel like so much has changed, I also feel like nothing's going on.
On the good side, I've graduated! I can now say I have a BFA in Interior Design which is something I've always dreamed of. I'm proud of myself and proud of my education I've received at ISU.... now it's on to MAKING something of myself.
Job searching is scary. I'm not sure if it's fear of rejection, fear of never getting the opportunity to do what I love, or fear of settling into a career that I don't really want that scares me so much. I felt like I was off to a good start though in the beginning--the first set of my work, resume and references landed me an interview. I made the trip to Cedar Rapids and the interview went really really well--he really enjoyed my logo I'd made for myself, was impressed by the resume, and we even connected on my wedding color (which he was planning on painting a showroom space that color). Overall he gave me an "A+"...but unfortunately I had to turn down the second interview. I couldn't afford to pay rent in Cedar Rapids, Ames, pay student loans and still eat at the end of the day. And while I feel a little down because I it didn't work out, I know that where one door closes another opens.... I'm just still waiting for that door to open.
Yesterday I knew of a place in Ames that I wanted to take my portfolio package to. I got myself ready--I put on my same White House | Black Market dress and red heels I wore for graduation and drove myself out there. I first asked to see the lady I thought I was supposed to talk to... she wasn't in. I began telling an associate how I was wondering if they were hiring as I had just graduated, etc. She proceeded to tell me she didn't think they were.... but as she was telling this to me, a man came out of the back office area. "Well, actually this is the man you need to talk to." I introduced myself and he proceeded to lead me back to his office to discuss a possible position. It was a relaxed interview which overall I felt good about (just like I did the last job interview). I'm to call back on Monday, so I have my fingers crossed I hear good news and can start a full time job in an area similar to where I want to be.
I tend to find that's how my life goes. I always end up in the right place at the right time. I think that's how I know things will be ok.

There's a picture of myself at the Iowa State University College of Design Commencement.

It's My Last Undergrad Interior Design Project....

Where has time gone? I am one month away from graduation and I can't believe this is my last interior design project of my undergraduate career. The project consists of designing the gift shop of the new Sioux City Museum in Sioux City, Iowa. The Monday after spring break we took a field trip out to view the site and meet with the clients. If they like one of our designs, they're going to use it which is cool. Here's some images of the site under construction :





I really like the architectural details on the front of the building and wanted to use that as inspiration for the gift shop space. I also found some inspiration thanks to one of my classmates that is an example of what I was thinking (except for less organic).



This is the Stuart Weitzman shoe store designed by Fabio Novembre and I think it is absolutely amazing! Needless to say, however, mine will be a toned down version of this.

I will leave this entry with a great interior design quote:
"Never look back, except for an occasional glance, look ahead and plan for the future. Success is not built on past laurels, but rather on a continuous activity. Keep busy searching out new ideas and, experimentally, keep ahead of the times, or at least up with them." -Dorothy Draper

Spring Break...or Spring Not-So-Much-Of-A-Break

Hi all,
So this is the week that college students everywhere are counting down to since the day after Christmas. Usually everyone heads off to these glamorous places--the Caribbean, Florida, California, etc. I however am in the fabulous.... Iowa. Saving up for a wedding and job searching really hinder the whole "let's blow a lot of money on a trip" plan. But that's ok, because I'm staying in Ames and being (somewhat) productive.
I've started really searching and narrowing down where I want to land a job after graduation. I even started filling out a job application tonight! I'm getting antsy to send things out and (hopefully) start hearing back. More updates on the search to come!
I've also been trying to work on my hotel design once again. I want to produce more renders of the spa to enter into the Hospitality Design contest. I also have yet to re-do my project boards as well.
But, for as many things as I'd like to get done, I'm finding it somewhat difficult with the gorgeous weather we've been having outside. 50 degrees? Yes! I love love love spring, but I'm also finding that I dislike spring for how it makes me long to be outside. It's hard to believe that next spring I might have more time for such fun stuff. The idea of not having to go to class anymore really weirds me out and excites me.
Well, I'd like to leave on one last design note for now. I signed up to receive Hotel Design Magazine about a month ago and was so excited when it finally came in. It came as I had just finished designing Ignite in my hotel project. My fiance, Will, had looked at it before me while I was gone at one of my part-time jobs. He began telling me about how according to the magazine, the latest trend is including fire elements in spaces. I read the article and found it really interesting...and I think you will too. Here's a link to the online version:
http://www.hotelworldnetwork.com/outdoor/trendlines-fire-elements
-Amanda

What I Know Now....

So, here I am : a senior in the middle of my last semester of college. Sometimes I just stop and think about what I've learned these past 4 years and I realize that not only have I learned a lot about interior design, but I've learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of achieving. Here's what I've learned so far...

1.) No stranger can tell me what I can or cannot do.
It seems like from the get-go I've been told I would not make it in this program. First instance: high school career exploration days. A lady from a firm in Omaha came and talked to us about her work as an interior designer and what her typical day is like. I, of course, absorbed her every word like a sponge and could not have been more fascinated. After hearing she attended ISU for her interior design degree, I decided to go up and talk to her about what the program was like. I started by saying I was planning to go to ISU to study interior design. Her response completely shattered my dreams. She told me that it was "extremely difficult" and that "you probably won't even get in". Really? Did she just say that? After being hurt for a while, I came to realize that she did not know me, my drive, and my passion for interior design. Conclusion I came to: I will prove her wrong and will make a name of myself. Second instance: acceptance to the program. After a long first year of college of design core programs, I had turned in my portfolio. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach I had when I handed it in and walked out of the room. My future was literally in their hands. I waited for the day they sent out acceptance emails like a child waits for Christmas. But I just couldn't figure out why in the world I still had that same feeling in the pit of my stomach. The day came... and went.... and no letter of acceptance (or rejection) came my way. Did they lose my portfolio? Did I not get in? What do I do now?! I was absolutely devastated. I felt as though all the hard work, sweat, and tears that went into my whole first year was a complete waste of time. And what made me even more mad was the fact that none of it gauged your ability to produce interior design work. I was a mess for the next two weeks. I started searching other options at Iowa State, researching other interior design programs around the country... it was terrible, I was miserable, and feeling completely depressed and defeated. Then came the morning I was supposed to have a phone meeting with someone from the Art Institute in Minneapolis. My cell phone rang...and I had no desire to answer it. I didn't want to think any more about what was going on. I needed a break. Another call. Now I was mad. "I don't wanna talk to you! I don't wanna think about it!" kept running through my head with each ring. They left another voicemail. Ugh... fine, I'll listen to it at least. First one : "Hi this is ____ from the Art Institute..." That was all I had to hear, so skipped the rest of the message. The second message however, was completely unexpected. "Hi, this is ____ from the College of Design at Iowa State University. We're calling to let you know you've been accepted into the interior design program." I lost it. I was screaming, crying, and shaking from excitement. I was a mess and probably in no condition to drive, but that's just what I did. I drove first to mom's office then mom came with me to dad's office to spread the news. We celebrated that night by going to dinner. That day will stick with me as one of the best days of my life. That was also the day I told myself that I was going to show them why I was meant to be there in the first place.

2.) Time Management is Key
You know that you have to have passion for something when it requires so much of your time. I remember back to projects in 102 and thinking "how is this all going to get done?!?" I can recall times when I felt so overwhelmed by my list of things to do, that I just lost it... then realized I was wasting time crying and would get back to work. And that was back when I didn't have a job. As I was taking a break from this last hospitality project I was working on, I had called mom. I was telling her everything I had to do : "Well first I have to finish the second level of the spa, then I have to export all those floor plans into pdfs so I can work on the lighting plan while I get another render going in Revit, so that I can edit the render as soon as that's done, then get boards started. And when I get the boards printed, then I can work on the documentation stuff." Crazier part is that I had an art history exam the day before the project was due so I had that on top of my list, and two part time jobs. I had finally figured out how to manage my time.... even if it meant I stayed up until 3 in the morning for a week straight... while I was sick.

3.) So, you've spent countless hours on your work... be proud, and don't be afraid to sell it!
Our first interior design project was the Barcelona Pavilion. Basically it was a slab of cement we were told to create whatever kind of space on it we wanted. Great! I remember working on it, not liking what I had done, scrapping it, and starting over. Countless times. I finally came up with something that I personally had liked, but (skepticism) did not think would go over well at the critique. I remember being so scared. I shook while I presented and was scared to hear what the jurors would say. They loved it! It couldn't have gone better--nothing bad was said. I was in shock. But, I stopped and thought about how much time I had spent and I had personally liked what I had done, so why was I so afraid? In the real world, you can't sell a design if you're not sold on it. If you spend countless hours of your life on something, be proud of it and be excited to tell people about it!

4.) I Can Do Things I Never Thought I'd Do
For a person with travel anxiety (especially with flying), I had been dreading the Toronto field trip since I was accepted in the program. The thought of flying seriously makes me feel sick to my stomach, and the thought of flying without those I feel most comfortable with (Will and my family) made it ten times worse. The day came... it was inevitable. The flights were easy and Toronto was absolutely amazing. I loved the city! The flight home (especially the last leg) is when I realized that I had survived the the trip I had been dreading for so long.... and had fun! I can't even describe the way I felt watching out the window as we began landing in Des Moines. It was so overwhelming and I was so proud of myself. While yes, traveling is still not my favorite thing to do, I've learned that I'm not going to let it stop me from seeing different places in the world. I hope to someday be completely anxiety free and to be able to fly to Rome with Will.

5.) I'm Afraid of the Future... but I'm Determined
I'm a planner. That's just what I am. So, the fact that I don't have everything figured out after graduation really scares me. However, I'm not going to settle for anything less than what I really want in life. I want to do hospitality design--restaurants, spas, hotels.... it's a blast! I do have to admit that it's exciting to see where I'm going to end up!

6.) I Have the Greatest Friends and Family Supporting Me
I just wanted to say thank you to the people in my life who are there encouraging me. They were there when the road got a little rocky these past few years in the program as well as life outside school. They helped me get over all the hurdles thrown at me and they also helped me celebrate my successes. Thank you again! You don't know how much you mean to me!

-Amanda