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