Mini-Vaca

After a very stressful week preparing for my DD presentation and Easter on Sunday I took a mini vacation this past weekend. My boyfriend's band Aberdeen City played a show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in NYC, so we packed up the equipment and drove down with the rest of the band. The show was on Friday night and was AWESOME...

I had only seen them play once, so it was great to be able to see them at such a small venue and hear some of their new songs. On Saturday that weather was awful, but we made the best of it an toured around the city and went to lunch at an amazing seafood place. After that I met up with my best friend (from my hometown, who now lives in NYC) and we went to a really nice dinner and then out on the town. On Sunday we drove to Connecticut for church and Easter dinner with his parents. It was nice to take a weekend break from school work, but now I have to make sure I have no other distractions.

Yesterday I had to work here at Admissions and give a tour to a group of visiting high school guidance counselors. I gave a tour of campus and spoke on a panel about my experiences as a college student. I like to share my experiences with prospective students, parents and anyone who comes to campus so that they can learn more about life at Suffolk as well as have some of their many questions answered.

So my internship is coming to an end and I cannot believe how fast it flew by. When I started I had to complete 120 hours, which I thought was going to take me a while but I only have about one week left. I hope they have enjoyed working with me and know just how much I have learned from being a part of their team.

Tonight is the Graphic Design Senior Show reception at NESAD, where all of the graphic design graduating students put their work on display and invite family, friends and colleagues to a reception in the gallery to show off their work. I will be attending the event and am anxiously awaiting the Interior Design Undergraduate and Master's Show and Reception on May 7. This is a time we get to pin up our thesis projects in the gallery and show off what we have been working on for months, to everyone- very exciting.

Following that is senior week events and then Graduation!!!! I will be attending some of the senior week events, but not all of them. I will be going to a clambake on the beach in Newport, RI, a night at The Red Hat bar and I was supposed to go on an overnight white water rafting trip to Maine, however I think I will have to sell my tickets because I have an exit interview for school that day.

I am very excited for this Tuesday because I am being honored at Suffolk University annual day of Recognition for the award of Outstanding Academic Excellence in the Interior Design Department from the New England School of Art & Design. I was going to attend the event to receive my award, however I just found out that it is the same time as on of my classes so I will not be able to attend. I will have to make some arrangements to pick up the award at a later time.

Wow- well I have a lot going on these days and I feel like I just spit it out all over my blog. I normally try to keep my posts a bit more cohesive and focused to one topic, but this week I just wanted to tell you about all that is happening.

I should probably be getting back to work,

Blog ya later

-J

Project Progress

I have three weeks to complete my Senior Studio Thesis project. "The Cambridge School of Fashion & Fine Arts" (the title of my project) is now in semi-final stages. We had a very important critique on Tuesday to present our Design Development. The DD presentation was a culmination of everything we have been working on since the beginning of the semester.

After many modifications, I have finally completed designing, space planning and laying out all of my floor plans (there are five). I have built a 3-D model of the entire building, taken section cuts (like a cross section) through the building to show the relationship of the floors, and have begun

to design and draw perspectives that show optimal views of the space. Some of the spaces that are included in the building are an art supply and bookstore, cafe, gallery, library, cafeteria, studio classrooms, office and independent studios for each student to have their own private work space.

My conceptual statement is a marriage of using the existing building's structure while introducing new forms that mimic the shapes and lines used by artists.

"A creative, collaborative, coexistence space for artists

Where the artists materials and methods dictate the function and design of the space; all working together to create a unique, but unified creative learning environment.

A space to create, study and appreciate art that not only borrows geometric forms from the artists techniques, but simultaneously works with the architecture of the building. By preserving the architectural integrity and working with the existing structural elements, the new spaces created not only enhance the learning and working environments of both students and faculty, but take advantage of what the building and its surrounding neighborhood has to offer; all while catering to the unconventional needs of art students.

Located in the heart of Harvard Square; an eclectic urban environment where students can find inspiration at every corner. A diverse neighborhood filled with students, shopping, entertainment and history."

A Parti Diagram is a 2-D representation of the written concept. The parti diagram below illustrated the line s of the existing building (the diagonals) as well as the new forms incorporated inside. The gird-like lines as well as the curvilinear ones are drawn from the artists techniques.

A diagram inspired by the techniques and materials of the students:

-fluid, morphic, loose shapes like paint
-linear, rigid, intentional lines like drawing

-sculptural, curvilinear, organic lines like sewing

The image below on the right is a photograph of the site and the rendering on the left is a perspective drawing I did to represent the some of the changes I have made to the site.

This board shows some of the materials & finishes I have selected to use in the new space. the colors I am choosing are a base of white, with dark accents of plum, grape & chocolate and bright accents of celery.

I have to get back work.. there is still so much to be done!! This weekend I am going to NYC so I won't be working on my project at all. After I return.. it will be crunch time!!

Blog ya later

-Jillian

52 days and counting...

There are officially 52 days from today until May 17...GRADUATION!!! In the beginning of the semester I had mixed feelings about graduating. I was feeling excited and happy about almost being done with school, while also having sad feelings of leaving behind a place that I have just spent the past four years at. However, at this point I am counting the days(obviously) until I am done with school. I am currently working three jobs (technically). I have to maintain a minimum of 10 hours per week here in the admissions office, I am continuing to work as a waitress on the weekends and in addition to that I am now working 17 hours a week an my new internship. I am working at this amazing architecture firm in Cambridge; Moshe Safdie and Associates and currently working on a few different projects. So between working 17 hours there, 10 hours here and about 10 hours on the weekend at the restaurant, I am stressed about finding time to do my school work.

My thesis is coming along, but it is a slow process. I have about 5 weeks to finish and we have just started to design. We have spent the past few months on schematic design; which is the first stage in the design process and is a time to designate where public and private spaces are and begin to get an early development of the floor plan. Currently I have been working on the layouts of each floor(there are 5 of them) and deciding where to put walls, where certain zones will be and how to break up the space. Not to mention, simultaneously thinking about furniture, finishes and materials for the project. I am excited to see the final product, but I am anxious about getting everything finished in time. My final presentation critique is scheduled for April 30, so its full forth until then. I am wrapping up work here today at the office. I'll keep you posted on further developments.

Until then,
Blog ya later!

-j

thesis progress

so i have new developments in the research for my thesis project. now that we have started doing research for our projects we have to choose a building "shell" to put our design into. each student in the class was assigned a shell to research. we had to collect all sorts of information about our buildings; historical photos and papers, maps and plans, demographics, studies and site photos and analysis. we were then required to create a powerpoint presentation with all of the information we gathered and present it to the class.

now that we have seen all of the building shells, we must choose one that best suits the program we are designing for. i was assigned to do my research on building 114 in the charlestown navy yard, which used to be an old boat building factory in WWII and is now a research center for MGH. it was very interesting to find and learn so much about such a historic place that is so close to me. however, i don't think i will be using the shell that i researched, but instead a building in harvard square in cambridge. it is a very modern building, constructed of concrete and glass and was previously occupied by crate & barrel, however it is currently vacant. now that everyone in the class has done research on a different building, we can exchange information to further research for our own projects.

like i had mentioned in previous blogs, i am designing an art school, so i feel like a building with a lot of natural light and a great location ( like the crate & barrel building at 48 brattle street) will be a perfect fit. harvard square is a melting pot of so many different types of people and shops that it would be a great spot for a unique school like an art school. further developments await.

gotta jet.
blog ya later
-j

the urban hunt

i know it may be early to be thinking about apartments considering my lease isn't up until september, but i can't help myself. when i find a break from doing thesis research and other school work, i have been browsing craigslist.

craigslist is a great resource for finding pretty much anything your looking for, especially apartments! right now i am keeping all of my options open, but i'm thinking about cambridge or brookline. im thinking that i would like to live in a studio apartment because i wouldn't mind living on by my self, but like i said it's still early, so i have lots of time to make up my mind.

another great and very easy way of finding an apartment is through Suffolk's Off Campus Housing Office (OCHO) They are a great resource for finding not only an apartment but also a roommate. Check them out for all your housing needs.

Gotta jet.
blog ya later
-j

one week under my belt

well the first week of classes went swimmingly...well almost. i attended all but one of my classes because for some reason i read my schedule wrong. i had been anticipating going to my photojournalism class all week (thinking it was on thursday) and very excited to meet the professor and get started with the class. to my surprise, when i arrived to the room on thursday, there was no one to be found. i asked around and eventually had to double check my schedule online. i was disappointed to find out that the class runs on tuesdays not thursdays as i had originally thought. so, i not only missed the first day of class and was very disappointed, but it counts towards one of my three allowed absences. needless to say, today (tuesday) i will be attending photojournalism and am very excited about it. my other classes(the ones i attended..haha) include senior studio which is an independent design studio, and internship class and the art of india which is an art history class. i have to admit that i wasn't looking forward to the art of india class because i don't particularly enjoy art history classes, however the class was very interesting and the professor is extremely knowledgeable. we will be doing a lot of museum visits and discussions so i am excited to physically see the art we will be learning and studying.

gotta run...blog ya later!
-j

a new year...a new attitude

2009, the year i graduate, has arrived. as cliche as it sounds i feel like it was only yesterday that i began school here at Suffolk and thought to myself, 2009 seems so far away. But alas, the time has flown by and now i only have one semester until i graduate.

the feeling of only having 15 weeks between now and the end is bittersweet. i am excited to be done with school and get out in "the real world", but i am sad to be leaving school, a place i have become so comfortable and accustom to over the past four years. i am also nervous i won't be able to find a job, considering the current state of the economy and the fact that people are being laid off more than anyone is being hired.

one of the requirements before graduating from the interior design program is to gain work experience from an internship. this is something that i have been searching for and have had no luck. now that the semester has begun, the pressure is on to find one. i have to take the bull by the horns and get one asap!!

i have also started my senior studio thesis, which is the hardest class i will ever have to take. it is a culmination of everything i have learned the past four years, all put into one, extremely large and detailed project. at the same time of it being quite overwhelming, i am also very excited to dive right in. we are given almost free reign of the type of project we wish to design as well as the building we wish to use. i can say i am almost positive that i will be designing an art school, that houses all types of arts and studio space, as well as residence living, cafeteria, galleries and much more. i will need to devote as much time as possible to this project, while still working and taking 3 other classes and doing an internship. i have told myself over and over again not to procrastinate, and i really have to stick by it this time. a new year, and a new attitude. work hard and play later. this is the most important semester and i need to make certain i don't get too stressed. i think keeping myself organized and not putting things off will ensure a semester that could potentially be quite hectic may actually be enjoyable.

i will be reporting about my progress and stresses throughout the semester.

blog ya later
-j

Busy as a Bee

It's been a while since my last post so let me catch you up...

I went to New York City last Monday for my first time ever!! I have lived in New York state my entire life and traveled abroad twice, and had never been to New York City before. I was only there briefly, for two days (which for New York is not enough time), but I was able to visit many of my friends and see so many sights. I Started at Rockefeller Center and saw the Christmas tree and the skating rink, saw Bryant Park, the Library, Times Square, 5th avenue, SOHO, Grand Central Station, NYU and walked the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn. I even saw the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building while on the bridge. It was a brief tour, but a full one nonetheless, then I headed to Connecticut with my Boyfriend for Thanksgiving. For a week of "vacation" it sure was a busy one with all the traveling, touring and visiting but a nice break from the loads of work I have to finish before next week for finals.

The looming stressing of finals is here and I will be spending the next week at school until 11 every night. I am not looking forward to that, however I am anxiously awaiting the completion of the school year and my birthday on December 9!! Then a week off and I'm heading home for two weeks to rest and relax with the family.

Happy December 1st!!~~**Let it Snow~~**

November Already!!

I cannot believe it is already November 4th, election day and Halloween has come and gone! I went to Salem for a Halloween party and as I mentioned in a previous blog, I went as Waldo. Check out the dorky pic!
Salem is such a cute, quaint town and it was so cool to see how many people were there dressed in full costume. I took the commuter rail train and it was so packed people were standing in the aisles. Luckily it is only a half hour ride.

Today marks a milestone in my schooling, as the last time I will ever be registering for classes. This morning I registered for my final four classes as an undergraduate student. I cannot believe how quickly four years flew by and that I will be graduating in only a few short months. It is bittersweet because I really love school however, I am so eager to get a job and start working in the field I have spent four years preparing for. I am currently in search of an internship at an interior design or architecture firm for the spring. I need to have some work experience to put on my resume before I graduate so that I will have better luck landing a job once I'm out of school. I have to say though, finding an internship requires a lot of additional work aside from going to school, like preparing cover letters, and resumes writing emails and making follow up phone calls as well as always trying to network. I often get stressed about not finding an internship or even worse, a job after graduation, but I have to keep telling myself to persevere and keep working at it.

As for now, I have to get back to work here in the office and then head home to make some internship follow-up phone calls.

Blog ya later
-j

Cinderella

I couldn't have been more excited for this past weekend. I have been waiting to see Cinderella performed by the Boston Ballet since I ordered tickets almost a month ago. I went on Friday with my boyfriend to the Wang Theatre to see the ballet and was blown away.

First of all, it was my first time seeing a ballet so I was dying with anticipation. It was fun to get dressed up and go on a fancy date. The ballet was beautiful, the costumes were so fun and the score was wonderful. I loved to see how they interpreted an old fairy tale into a modern, roaring twenties era version of the classic. My favorite characters by far were the stepsisters. They were very silly and quite animated, even though they didn't speak. My favorite part of the ballet was when Cinderella came down from the ceiling in a giant pumpkin. There were also men in the ballet dressed up in tuxedos that had pumpkin heads. They were quite funny.

The show ran for two weeks and closed on Sunday so if you didn't go, you really missed out on a great show. Playing next at the Wang Theatre is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and the Boston Ballet will be presenting"The Nutcracker" at the Boston Opera House. Get tickets before they're gone. Student rush tickets are only $20 so rush to the theatre an hour before they show to try and snag some good ones.

Blog ya later

-j