I will start with the truth. I never thought I would ever end up in school to become an interior designer, but it makes sense now that I am. For as long as I can remember I have been building structure, taking things apart to understand how they work, and reorganizing everything I see.
As a child I started building structures of all shapes, sizes and materials. I started with large scale lego buildings, many have called me the real lego maniac, and as soon as I was allowed to use power tools I was on my way to building club houses, tree houses and other structures. Besides building items I was known for taking random items apart to understand how they are put together ( bikes, toasters, lawn mower, etc…. sorry dad) I enjoyed seeing how things worked so much that I developed a passion for cars and at one point in my life even enrolled in south Carolina tech to major in automotive engineering. I completed a year, working on engines came naturally, however the desired to do this line of work forever wasn’t there. So instead of wasting more time and money I un-enrolled myself from college and moved home to Saint Petersburg, Florida.
After moving back to Florida I started working at Home Shopping network as a customer service representative and on breaks I found myself watching how the sets where being designed and put together. I thought to myself that looks like fun but never pursued it.
And then it happened. I got sucked into the world or trading spaces. I was addicted to that show and the more I watched it the more I was convinced that I could do what they were doing. So one day while sitting on the couch watching traded spaces I decided to type in “interior design”. The first thing that popped up was “Ai, The Art Institute of Tampa”. I viewed the website and clicked on the button that said request more information. I never got more information sent to me, instead I got a phone called the next day (June 14, 2006) and a guy named Joe talked me into coming down to take a tour of the campus. I thought to myself I have nothing to do and have the day off so why not. I told Joe I would be there and the next day I took my tour. I loved it and thought I can do school again and the next day I came back to started the paperwork. On June 16, 2006 I was enrolled into the interior design program, let the fun begin.
Let me start by says, wow. I had no clued what I had got myself into. I have no idea how serious interior design was and how much comes with making a space look nice to others. After watching shows like while you were out and trading spaces I can understand why the public along with me is ever misinformed.
And now that I have made it through almost four years of Interior design schooling I have never been more passionate and excited about a something before. I am very proud to tell people that I am going to school for interior design and have no problem explaining people what the deference is between interior design and an interior decorator.
Now I hope to get my masters in interior design and will be moving on to do the same in architecture.
Good for you Nadine, a master's in Interior Design AND Architecture. Thank the lord for your patience, but with your dedication and desire, you should be able to complete whatever you want. What would you want to do with all these degrees? I’m interested to know.
ReplyDeleteI too was sucked into Trading Spaces and While You Were Out and any other show that encompasses “Interior Design” and I completely agree with the general public being misinformed. I think it’s our job to inform the people, and let EVERYONE know the difference. I hate when people ask “Do you plan on being on Design Star?”
I also enjoyed lego’s but never power tools. I like the air conditioning and those two elements didn’t exist in the same location. It’s good to know that you’re well rounded and interested in other aspects of the world. I think you’ll make it far.
Dear Real Lego Maniac,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read, you like to be involved in the design process- physically. You like to touch the objects, disassemble them, and put them back together. It sounds like wherever you end up in design- you need to be hands on. That’s what excites you.
I think it’s awesome that you found what you enjoy and are good at. Can you imagine at the end of the 4 years to not be satisfied with the path you are taking?
Since the shows are what intrigued you- would you ever want to have your own design show, but maybe show all the aspects of design that people don’t get to see? Like all of the drawings and cad work that is necessary? You could be hands on and still show the technical portion that you’ve learned in school. I’d watch. :)
To Katie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Katie for all the nice things you said and thank you for believing in me. My greatest dream is being able to get enough education so I can start helping people worldwide. I am much more interested in learning how to start my own help foundation. After seeing images of how bad living conditions are around the world and finding out my countries don’t have building codes. So I have decided to try and learn as much information as possible so I can try to change that fact. I would really like to learn the people skills and the knowledge to go to different countries to educate them on why building codes are a must and how they can produce great living conditions using local resources. I defiantly agree with you about it being our responsibility to inform people and I plan on doing a lot of that.
No I am not really interested in being on any TV shows because they give off the wrong idea of interior designers and I want to be taken seriously.
To Miss Rachel
ReplyDeleteYes, I do enjoy being in the mix of design projects. I love see how this are build and I love helping in the process. I too couldn’t be happier now that I have found my passion. I know there are many people that have gone through with getting a degree and have ended up hating the career they were in. So I definitely feel it’s a blessing that I ended up in interior design program. As for having my own show, I really don’t think so cause I don’t feel like you could truly show how intense the design process is on a TV show, the show would have to be more like a reality show almost. I say reality show because at least the show would have to follow a designer from start to end on a project.
I adore your plan for the future. To obtain your masters in both architecture and interior design that will be quite an accomplishment. It is very admiral to want to start your own foundation to enable other countries; I wish I had such noble intentions for my education.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Miss Short. And when i am up and running i will hunt you down so you can join me, the world needs as much help as possible.
ReplyDeleteI too was fooled by all of those shows. I'm glad to see that they really aren't what interior design is. Perhaps we can go onto our master degree together!
ReplyDeleteNadine! that is so awesome that you have finally found a career that fits your passion!
ReplyDeleteI do not doubt for one moment that you will not be an amazing success in the design industry!
It is interesting how you came to your decision...I too had to try out some other majors before deciding that design was really right for me! But there is a place for your "engineering" side in this feild, which I think is what most people do not understand!
I can see how you would be successful in obtaining your degree in architecture as well...things that you described about wanting to see how things work and how to put them together...one smart cookie :)
good luck!