nensjournal

[nensjournal]

“Nothing is Dead.”

At April’s #TDKTuesdays (The Design Kids, Monthly Meetup) – Portfolio and ‘How to Sell Yourself’ Workshop at Houston Group: 

Girl in the back: (to the senior creative director) “Would you say that collage design is dead? The other day at Uni we were talking about this and everyone decided that collage design is dead, but I consider myself a collage designer…What do you think?” 

Senior director: “Listen, nothing is dead and nothing is wrong. It is only wrong to listen to the people who say that anything is dead.” 

YESSS. That is what I want to hear more of. We create our own destiny, we create and reach our own goals. We can do anything we want to do, but it is individually up to us to decide how we pave the way for doing want we want to do – what we love to do. We should never settle for anything less than what we are capable of, and we should never sell ourselves short in order to please other people. 

[nensjournal]

Artists ARE more now important than ever: creatives must STEP UP to the plate, today.

The other day I attended a symposium at the University of Sydney: Sydney Ideas. The event – Artists Have Never Been More Important – consisted of three addresses from three different professionals who each talked about their views on 'the artist’s' role in today’s society, their responsibility to address contemporary global issues, and how artists should (or shouldn’t) embody that role. Artists tell stories, they make an effort to move people through the showcasing of their works. Emotional reactions are the goal, whether by disturbance or by enlightenment, artists make work with the intention of creating a reaction in the viewer. As we think about the question of “should artists step up to be activists in this world of disastrous circumstances,” I think that they kind of already do so if that be knowingly or unknowingly. If you ask me, I think yes: artists should step up and create content that promotes a positive reaction which instills, in the viewer, a desire to create a positive change. I think artists should look to collaborate with scientists, or with professionals of differing fields of work. I picked up a book the other day and the words “science finds what is already there, but the artist makes that which is not there” (Talks with Students at Rice, Kahn, 1969) flashed up at me; this short set of words made me realize how tremendously important the role of the artist in today’s society actually is. We need both researchers and creatives to come together to form viable solutions for global and moral issues. As a designer, I know how critical it is to have the ability to research, gather information, and to use those findings to enact a solution. As a liberal arts student, I know the values that come with a balanced education and a blanced set of diciplines. Similarly, the collaboration of scientists and artists can create a compelling new form of problem solving. So, yes: artists are now more important than ever in a world filled with chaos, discrimination, and natural disasters. It is our civic duty to come together as creatives to merge practice, intellect, and poetic thinking so that we may move society forward. We must strive to produce work that is more than just aesthetically pleasing because we don’t have time to waste. Our time is now, we must create. Louis I. Kahn, 1969, Talks with Students, Architecture at Rice 26, Rice University.

[nensjournal]

Experiencing the Web

This week I turned in an assignment that is about experiences on the web. I compared two websites, one of a negative and one of a positive experience. It was a simple task, but the process made me realize how details are really everything. A good website is deemed good mostly because the designer and developer of it took details into grand consideration. A user’s experience on the web can be good or bad depending on how simple and seamless the particular web interaction is. 

My favorite entrepreneur --Barbara Corcoran-- always says that first impressions are everything and I think this applies to the layout and function of a website as well. Studies show that users generally leave a website if the images or content take more than. According to Google's research “53% of mobile website visitors will leave if a webpage doesn’t load within three seconds” (marketing dive, Kirkpatrick, 2016). 

I looked at two website experiences: my visit to Sunny in the Park, Sunny Park’s portfolio website, and I compared it to the experience I had when visiting RPBW architect’s website. 

[nensjournal]

bittersweet

Bittersweet. Missing home is a difficult yet tantalizing experience. Nostalgia engulfs the mind into a state of ephemeral depression or into a state of reflection, and it is merely unavoidable. It creeps up on you when you least expect it, right after a good sunny day filled with new friends and shared smiles. The nostalgia creeps up on you when the sun sets and the next sunny day arrives: you wish to share that smile with your loved one who makes you the happiest you have ever been. Nostalgia makes me realize that home is not always a place. It can be a person, a corner, an object, a group of people, or anything or anyone whom you miss the most in the middle of the sunny good days. Home is where, when, or with whom you exhale after the bustle of long hours. Bittersweet the feeling of nostalgia. It captures your thoughts and shows you the meaning of being grateful, or hurt, or creates an experience of epiphany in its greatest form. I am learning that nostalgia can be both good and bad, but the experience of it is part of being human; to be a human being is an etraordinary gift, and we should treasure the experiences of it. We are not human without experiencing the harshness of it, without the honey dew sweetness of nostalgia, without missing. I breath in my nostalgic senses, and I exhale as I remember “home.”

[nensjournal]

architecture in democracy

I am taking a class titled Citizenship and Communication and the discussions are opening my eyes to new ways in which I view participation in society in political, social, and architectural forms. Constitutional democracy is the freedom, equality, and participation of a people. Movements both social and political bring people together to voice their opinions. Likewise, buildings exist in relation to the human body -- public spaces are designed by and for people. The building of spaces which encourage interpersonal interaction is, in a way, a contributing sector to democratic societies. 

How can we build and design public spaces which allow pedestrians to act and think freely within them? How do we build spaces with equality in mind? How do we design an affordance of a public place for civic participation within the context of inclusion and not exclusion? How do we design spaces with empathy? 

The designing of public spaces may sound unproblematic, but it is difficult to design for entire communities of people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and socio-economic status. 

Even in a highly digital world, public spaces are still extremely relevant. There is power in the ability to congregate in groups; there is magic that occurs when we come together to form revolutions and to protest in favor of human rights. There are opportunities here, to design for democracy. The role of architects in democratic societies is to uphold this responsibility and opportunity to impact communities in interpersonal ways through good and balanced design. It is vital to take this role into consideration when designers begin to think about what direction we want to move in when as we continue to develop and plan public spaces and cities. 

Democracy cannot exist without participation, nor can it exist without public spaces which afford participation. 

[nensjournal]

a plan to create more and to stop seeking approval.

As my first day of classes in Sydney is fast approaching, I am doing some thinking about how I can limit my distractions this semester in order to focus on creating things and improving my confidence.

As a design student, I tend to spend a lot of time on my laptop weaving back and forth between writing, research, creative work and social media platforms. I spend a lot of time looking at other design portfolios and reading blogs for inspiration to see what other creatives are doing out in the world; normally I consider it a good thing to stay in tune with the creative world. I will never say that I waste time when I'm on my laptop even when I may actually be wasting time. I believe that I can find inspiration anywhere and anytime if I keep an open mind and stay on my toes -- "I am a sponge for information and inspiration" is what I like to tell myself. However, as I begin to build my own presence in the design and internet world, I find that I am setting expectations for myself based on the work and thoughts of others. I notice that when I create or write, I am sometimes trying to produce what I think other people want to hear--mistake number one. Seeking the approval of others, even the opinions of experienced designers that could potentially help me land a job is not what I should be focused on right now. Right now I should be focusing on creating and experimenting while gaining inspiration from the real world. I should be focusing on learning and creating as much as I can so that when the time comes, I am ready to present myself with full confidence to whomever it need be.

This semester I want to focus on creating my own path without the purpose to please others, only to improve my skills and to support my own development as a designer. I vow to continue my routine of laptop use with the state of mind of creating things that might make a positive impact on the world in the smallest of ways while limiting the time I spend drowning in the opinions of others. I am dedicating this year to making my own mistakes and learning from my failures: I will fail and I will thus work harder to achieve success, overcoming the obstacles and missteps along the way.

[nensjournal]

REAL morning routines.

I always find those articles that talk about the unrealistically perfect morning and bedtime routines of famous people or lists of “things you should do every morning.” Well, as much as I would like to have a perfect and consistent morning routine, I don't see how a consistent morning routine is even that beneficial. Yes, I try to live by certain rules to be more productive in my day to day life but let's face it: being human means to not have a perfectly planned out morning routine. This article by Val Brains (a bad ass artist btw) shows the truth behind being a creative person in real life. 

As a student, I can relate to never having a good sleep schedule and to never getting the right amount of rest. I admire the people who contributed to the content of this article by showing that imperfect routines are entirely okay to have. In fact, not having a perfect morning routine can be pretty liberating; I like to wake up feeling in tune with my mood per day. I like to listen to how my body is feeling and adopting a new sense of productivity every morning. 

To be honest, I’m a crazy workaholic. I probably get it from my dad. I always feel that the moment I stop working, I am getting behind. While I do think it’s good to have a drive for working hard every day, It’s not always a good thing for my body. I notice that I can’t pull all-nighters or my body WILL crash the next day. I notice that I need more sleep than my peers do and I am learning to acknowledge that it's okay to have different, unperfect routines from everyone else. I think what's more important is being able to listen to my body so that I can get the most out of it when I am working. 

[nensjournal]

how to write?

This past year has been quite a journey for me as a writer. I've been trying to write on a daily basis about anything I feel like writing per day, and I'm also making it habit to simply write more things down. I'm trying to pull myself away from the thought of "oh, I'll remember that for sure"... not.

So far so ... good? Better, I'll say. I do feel a lot more confident about my writing and one thing that has boosted my confidence is trying to post some things online. A mentor, Greg Storey, gave me some advice about a year ago over coffee that really impacted my perception and purpose of writing as a designer. He told me to stop giving a fuck and to attract more fearless habits (Greg’s a very blunt person, but I like that in a mentor). The best way to start doing that: start posting some of the things I write online. I'm not forced to tell anybody about my posts or share my URL, but the habit of publishing my thoughts to the internet world really changed the way I thought about writing. It's true, I'm not as worried about what people think anymore and the habit of publishing has also pushed me to revise my work more critically which is always important - I’ve become more fearless about the things that I write.

I definitely don't believe that I am a necessarily "good" writer, but I don't think that's the point. The more I practice it and the more I do it, the better I will get at writing down my thoughts; learning to express a message or a thought is not really as easy as some think it is but it's probably one of the most important skills a designer can have. 

The next most important thing I've learned about my writing in the past year is that rather than writing what I think experienced or professional writers want to hear, I’m writing whatever I want to write. There are no rules and there are no limits, only possibilities. This realization has propelled my ability to translate what I'm really thinking into written form -- a filter-free lifestyle, I like it. Of course, there is a time and place for everything, but I am working on being fearless, I’m working telling my own story to the universe with a constructed and blunt voice.  

Looking back at my improvements, as well as setbacks, allows for me to see the gaps and issues that I should focus on as I move forward in my creative and professional journey. I want to keep working on expressing my thoughts, and  I want to practice that through storytelling. 

[nensjournal]

How I insure that I constantly keep learning.

I have made it my mission to attend as many workshops and speaker panels as I can. Living in Austin and now in Sydney, I feel that this is the best and easiest way to stay in tune with the design world and to constantly dip my toes into new territory. Sometimes it’s hard to gain knowledge and experience by getting jobs and internships, but it’s very easy to go out and simply introduce myself to designers in my cities at events -- gaining mentorship is crucial to my development as a designer. I know that I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I find that I improve the most after attending events, workshops and meeting with experienced designers over coffee. 

[nensjournal]

Death for Unpaid Internships

I still don’t understand the concept of unpaid internships. Companies should look for the insight that young creatives may have while giving us the credit we deserve because most of the time even unpaid internships turn into mid-weight jobs – we deserve the right to be rewarded for our work with more than just something to add to our resumes. When I say this to people, some agree and others tell me to just hustle and to work as a freelancer for the time being.. First of all, I need experience to be hired as a freelancer... To be completely honest, I feed off of collaborative environments. Although I enjoy working on my own (which is also a necessary skill), I need to check in with other minds to push forward with new perspectives and to brainstorm ideas from different people. I thrive during brainstorming sessions the most, and I think most people do. So, I hate to give up the opportunity of working in a creatively collaborative environment because I can’t afford to work without being paid. The young and upcoming designers should rather be supported and lifted up with positive support and advice – companies should give us the opportunity to show our abilities, our culture fit, and our potential to think progressively in a way that contributes to the development of solutions. I seek out mentors and although I have gathered professional friendships and valuable advice along the way, I have been rejected more times than I can count. I understand being rejected from a company for not having the right skills or the right culture fit, but I don’t understand why some experienced designers do not care to support students by at least saying why we/I didn't get the job. Feedback is what helps me improve and I wish more people would understand that I know my work and my portfolio are not perfect and that I just really want to keep imporving. Students and the young designers of our world are the ones that will eventually take over the playing field and that is why we should be nurtured in ways that encourages our minds, not in ways that let us down. There is a thin line between constructive criticism and harmful rejection and the crossing of the line begins with the manipulative message that unpaid internships present to hard workign design students. Barely getting paid is at least better than not getting paid at all. I've settled for gaining minimum wage pay during an internship but I had to push for it. I've decided to not accept unpaid internships and I will not let myself down. There are so many other ways by which I can gain experience while not getting paid; one of those ways is by volunteering at local design related events. I go out and I meet people and I observe the way people talk about design in a professional way or sometimes even not so professional ways. I volunteer at these events to learn on my own time. I look for internships to 1) gain experience by collaborating with a team and 2) to get paid for the things I work hard to produce.

[nensjournal]

The best advice you’ll ever recieve from Dale Carnegie

If you’re going to read one book read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book changed my life and it shifted my perspective on the way I perceive and interact with people—a much-needed skill in this competitive world. The book is highly recommended by highly successful people who are good at talking to other people, and who are good at public speaking. Barbara Cocoran, Bill Gates, and Mark Cuban are only a few who have suggested the reading of this book to young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

I first heard about the book because my father, Ricardo Viloria, and his best friend (my godfather), Carlos, glorify the book and the Dale Carnegie crash course on public speaking. My father says the advice of Dale Carnegie is the reason he speaks so well in front and with people, and I can confirm that he knows what he’s talking about. I, however, am terrified of public speaking – a devastatingly unfortunate fear. So, as I know that public speaking is something I will not be able to keep avoiding if success as a designer is something that I want to achieve, I asked my dad to buy me the book. Sure enough, my life was forever changed when I closed the back cover of the book with wide eyes and a smile. My perception of the ability and importance of interacting with people is changed for the better.

It's strange to think that a book about learning to make friends is so highly recommended but that is because honest friendship is the beginning of great business deals, partnerships, and projects—it’s the first step towards success. Nobody can build on something professionally without knowing how to make friends and it begins with being truly interested in people; stop talking about yourself all the time and ask questions about the person you deem interest in, stop using the word “I” all the time. Carnegie emphasizes how important it is, to be honest, and to be truly interested in people. Carnegie emphasizes how important it is to surround ourselves with people of good character and good manners. You may also think that these things are simple, but speaking effectively with people and being interested in other people are things that we need to practice. As cynical as it may be, we are a selfish breed and our first instinct is not to show interest in others but rather to think about our own needs and wants first. How to Win Friends and Influence People is a guidebook filled with examples and suggestions on learning to be a more empathetic person, but it takes practice to achieve the advice given by Carnegie.

[nensjournal]

A Letter to myself about writing

There is a persistent fear that comes with writing the first draft of something, of anything. It follows you as you take on any new project. There is a fear of starting something new. It is important to feel accomplished after you write the first draft no matter how bad it turns out to be. Don't get stuck on the things that don't work in your piece, stay focused, stay positive, and look for areas that can grow and improve. The only way to move forward as a writer is to move forward and don't stop. Remember that every first draft will be shitty. Writing the first draft is the easy part (ya, the easy part). The hard part of writing surfaces when it is time to revise. There is a fear in pulling apart the first draft of any piece, but revision is the most vital part of writing. Revision is about re-engaging with your content in a deep and meaningful way. Never confuse revising with editing because you will never move forward as a writer if you do. Editing means to simply polish up some form of written content while revising means to literally pull apart and re-write. The greatest discoveries about your work will be made during revision. The thing about writing is that anybody can do it. All you need to do is say "I am a writer" and voila you are a writer. Obviously, not all writers are good writers. I think what separates a good writer from a bad one is the drive to keep pushing forward; the desire to keep improving. You become a bad writer as soon as you give up. Follow your gut and write what you feel you need to let out, but always look for ways to improve what you write. Love, Carmen

[nensjournal]

Finding Myself - just thinking

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where I want to take my career as a designer. I am coming to realize that I am in a place where I didn’t think I would be -- I’m not happy with where I am. I want to make a difference as a designer and as a businesswoman and so, I am opening my mind to new avenues of design and professionalism because I don’t feel that I am doing so. 

I recently picked up a book called The 48 Rules of Power by Robert Greene. It’s an enlightening piece about what allows powerful people to reach powerful positions, the ethics behind each individual’s decisions, and is a piece which guides the reader towards a better understanding of what it means and what it takes to have power. The narrative of this book inspires me to embrace my confidence as a designer -- to be fearless and smart -- because I too have the ability to reach a seat of well-earned power. 

I want to have the power to make a true difference; I want to contribute to impactful and intentional designs and projects. As I near closer to the end of my undergraduate years, I am thinking more deeply about what I want to do upon graduation. The more I think, the more I feel inclined to keep furthering my education. For this reason, I am gearing towards pursuing a master’s degree in architecture while focusing on creating stronger bridges between humans, the built environment, and the natural scape. I feel excited about the future. 

[nensjournal]

Failure is an option...  It is a tool for improvement.

“You can make something out of anything.”

I recently attended a lecture as part of a three-lecture series presented by the Risograph Lab at St. Edward's University. This third and final lecture of the series was given by Kelcey Towell, creator of the LetterMaker. She touched many good points about finding inspiration and executing design ideas which I think are really important. Kelcey came up with the idea to design the LetterMaker during her final year of graduate school at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). She began the keynote by telling the audience of her lifelong obsession with pens and typography. During her research for a project, she realized that she wanted to reinvent the original stencils that were used by architects’ way back when. With this inspiration, she began to research the creative processes of master typographers and designers. Her process, as she explained, is filled with discoveries as well as failures. 

Kelcey showed us her first prototype for the LetterMaker. Soon after she first developed the original prototype, she tested it by putting it into the hands of real people. It did not take long for her to discover little problems with the prototype. From this experience, she moved to improve the product into something that people really enjoyed using. 

By reflecting on her lecture I feel that failures are only failures if we decide to give up in the face of them. Failures can become successes at the point in which we are determined to fix the things that are causing failures. Good design takes practice, research, work, and a LOT of prototypes. Kelcey ended the lecture by saying that “you can make something out of anything.” With enough determination and hard work, a simple idea can become something really good and something that moves and inspires us as people. It is important to realize that design is all about pushing past and learning from our failures. 

[nensjournal]

Cultural competence as a source for inspiration

Sometimes I think about what it would be like to not speak another language. I try to imagine how my life would be like without arepas and the rhythm I was born to embrace. I wonder how different my life would be if I were born in the United States. Then I think about how unimaginable any of this would be. I am different and I am glad. I am happier because I was raised to believe that happiness, culture, and education is more important than money. I was bred to see the goodness in all things and to laugh about the imperfections of life. 

I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the amount of cultural exposure I have experienced throughout my life and I am a happier person because of this. I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel extensively in my so far short life and I am forever grateful for those opportunities. I think that I have seen and experienced more cultures, places, and languages than many people do in their lifetimes. I feel so obligated to share my experiences with those that understand and with those that want to learn more about the cultures of the world, just as I feel like I still have loads to learn about the world; that is a good place to be. I don’t know everything but I know enough to admit that I don’t. 

My Venezuelan heritage is a huge part of who I am. Being able to speak Spanish has propelled my opportunities in ways I never expected. I embrace my differences and I use my culture as a way of expressing new ideas to the people that I collaborate with. Being exposed to different cultures is something that is almost impossible to avoid in diverse enough places (such as the US), but the decision to accept and attempt to understand differing cultures is up to us as individuals. 

I believe that strength in human relationships is rooted in the fact that each individual is different. We should constantly be trying to understand different cultures rather than segregate ourselves based on our differences. Trying to understand cultures that are different from our own is difficult and can even be emotionally straining. However, we must work to understand why the people around us are the way they are. We become a stronger, smarter society when we work to understand each other by being open-minded and attempting to understand why we are different from each other.  

Cultural competence is important in our day to day lives in order to enhance interactions with friends and strangers, but more importantly, it improves work environments. When we take it upon ourselves to understand the backgrounds and cultures of our peers and coworkers we are likewise constructing healthier teamwork environments. Being empathetic towards others is the key to becoming culturally competent. Empathy is a crucial part of being a decent human being. 

When we are empathetic we are better professionals, too. Being empathic towards your coworkers, your friends, your clients and even to strangers is the first step towards trying to understand where people come from and why they do the things that they do. When we are exposed to our differences we are also exposed to different ideas and that leads to inspiration. As a creative person I am constantly trying to find new sources of inspiration and learning about different cultures is one of the best ways to gain inspiration for new creative ideas. Today, creativity is more important than ever but thinking conceptually is not an easy thing to do. When we are integrated and accept the cultures of one another, we are choosing to embrace new ideas and that is monumental. 

[nensjournal]

Creative Writing Will Change Your Life

Take a creative writing course or start to practice writing on a daily basis. For those of us who are creative, this may seem like a delightful idea. For those of you who think in more linear terms, this may seem a bit more frightening or like a waste of time. I assure you, this practice of writing freely and creatively on a daily basis (or as often as possible) will spark a new way of thinking. I assure you it will change your life. 

This past fall semester I decided to take a creative writing course instead of professional writing to fulfill the requirements of the Writing & Rhetoric minor. That was possibly one of the best decisions I have made throughout my college career. Sasha West, my professor, and critically acclaimed poet inspired my perspective on the potential of writing creatively. She encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone and to be more confident in my ideas and in how I express my imagination. That, for me, has been monumental in my growth as a creative person. 

When we practice writing we are coincidentally also developing the discipline of "staying in the room" to finish what we are working on--we are learning how to push past "creative block." This discipline of writing on a daily basis is an effective brainstorming practice that all designers (and all problem solvers alike) can benefit from. Creative writing specifically pushes us to break free of all fears that are attached to the action of creating something new. The act of writing has no boundaries and you only need your mind, your hand, and a pen to practice it. Set yourself free and begin the practice of writing creatively on a daily basis. Let's see what you and I can come up with. Good luck my fellow creative soul. Stay fearless! 

[nensjournal]

My First Internship at Katie Kime

This past semester, fall 2017, I interned at Katie Kime as a graphic designer. I learned a lot and not just about design. I learned about business, marketing, and about the importance of creating connections with other successful people. I didn't think I would like working in such an intimate work environment, but the opportunity to do so changed my perspective. 

Katie Kime is a true entrepreneur, first of all, and I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work closely with her and to build a relationship with her on a professional note. Katie shares some of the same interests and ideas as I do and I felt that she was the best mentor to have throughout my first semester of Junior year. I wanted to work with someone that would feed my fearlessness. I wanted to work in a space that enforced entrepreneurial thinking. That is why I chose to work at Katie Kime. 

Katie is a hard worker and is where she is today because of her fearlessly creative attitude. Working at Katie Kime forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me that my opinions are valuable and really good. This internship experience taught me about the possibilities that can arise from working at a small company as opposed to a large corporation. Being a small company, Katie Kime did not have a full-time graphic designer but rather a marketing and communications director all in one. When I joined the office space in September, I was the only "graphic designer" at the office. I did not work under a designer which meant that I needed to step up, really fast. At first, I thought "oh crap, what did I get myself into." The more I thought about the situation though, the more I realized that this is an opportunity not many are lucky enough to have so early in their college career! This internship gave me the confidence boost that I needed as a young designer. 

The two most valuable things I learned from this internship experience are that 1) I aspire to be an entrepreneur myself because I want to be my own boss one day too, and 2) I learned to think faster yet more effectively and that is a vital skill to develop as a designer. I made new discoveries about my self and about the reality of working as a designer and that is most important in my eyes.