I began my search for my major the spring of 2007. I was attending St. Petersburg College working on my general education credits. I had been attending the school since my sophomore year in high school through the dual enrollment program. As I worked my way through many of my fundamental classes I realized that what I really wanted to do, though I wasn’t even sure what that was, was definitely not offered at the school. One day while heading to my art history class I saw a poster in the hall for FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in California. I grabbed the tear off slip and reviewed the majors offered. Interior Design really stuck out to me so I sent off for more information. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. I had always liked creating the homes for my Barbie’s more than I liked playing with the dolls themselves, I was constantly drawing up floor plans of my future home I was going to build, and it seemed that the endless weekends I had spent in Home Depot with my Dad were the best weekends. After I received the packet I shared the information with my mom. Once she heard it was in California she instantly began crying. I felt so terrible that I started researching schools in Florida. After some time I came across The Art Institutes. I sent out for more information and received a call by the end of the week. Before I knew it I was taking my school I.D. picture and completing the placement exam. It all happened so fast that it was quite surreal.
Now that I am three years into my program at The Art Institute of Tampa I really feel I have chosen the right path to my future. After completing my bachelors I would like to go on and pursue my masters in architecture. The more that I study interior design the more interested I become in architecture. In our history classes we focus primarily on architects that have influenced interior design and I would one day like to be in those books teaching others as well.
Hi Ciera,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading of how you found your path into Interior Design. I never really played with barbies, but I had a dollhouse and dolls. All I ever did was switch the rooms around, rearrange the furniture, and actually paint the walls. The dolls were basically just used as scale figures!
It seems as though the recruiters for the Art Institute are on their game! It was rather fast and easy for me to enroll and be sitting in a class the next week! It looks as though you are taking a lot from your education at the Art Institute and branching onto a very exciting field into architecture. Do you feel that architects do get most of the “spotlight”? I mean do we really hear of any infamous interior designers?
It sounds like our moms have a lot in common, I told my mom the Art Institute was in Tampa and she started crying. If I tried California she might have dropped dead right there.
ReplyDeleteI had a crazy amount of polly pockets when I was little. I remember "space planning" their neighborhood and then putting them all away. Who really "played" with those things anyway?!
If you'd like to be in books educating others have you ever thought of being a teacher? Educating those students and peers face to face?
Wow, Ciera I know what you mean by “ it happened so fast that it was quite surreal”. I felt the same way when I was signed up and ready to go with in a matter of a couple of days. And I must say after seeing your work and the passion that you have for the field I think you are meant to do great things. So do you have any clue or idea of what you wish do with all your education once you’re done?
ReplyDeleteAs with the consensus I enjoyed space planning my house and the dolls houses. Although my favorite part was finding new uses for my doll’s furnishings and scrounging up new ones from around the home. For example using the little plastic stands that kept the pizza from touching the top of the box as end tables. So do you have a plan of what you want to do in the future, or continue your education?
ReplyDelete@ Rachel: Unfortunately, I do believe architects tend to steal the spot light. It's not that they're more important, it's just that we are a different kind of important. As designers we really need to step up and make it known as to what we do. I would like in the near future to not say, "I'm an interior designer," and then have the other person follow with a question about decorating.
ReplyDelete@ Katie: I really have thought about it. Tom suggested teaching a history class for Jill one day but I couldn't do it. I'm slowly overcoming a stage fright mentality.
@ Nadine: Thank you so much Nadine. I really appreciate that. I've been thinking of architecture, teaching, and civil engineering. I would really enjoy making something better in/of this world.
@ Lauren: I totally did that! During my first year out of my mom's house, there wasn't a thing in sight that couldn't potentially become a piece of furniture. We get inspired and then we get inventive. That's where I would like to go in my future.
Hi Ciera!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to read about how you ended up here...
Seems like all of us have atleast that in common: that we all had to do quite a bit of soul seaching and this definatley was not our first route right out of high school...but somehow here we all are!
I could not imagine moving across the country, how brave of you to consider it! I know that mom's can be very influential in our decisions...I am very close to my own mother and she still freaks out that I am one state away in FL ( she is in AL) :)
It is such a great feeling to be so far into school and just know that you are one the right path and are on your way to a bright future or doing what you love!