vacation

I'm almost a week into my winter break from Auburn, but I'm still in Auburn and not really taking a break. I have to admit there isn't a part of me that can do absolutely nothing. I have to be on the go, doing something with my time. I'm trying to get in some extra hours at work this week for Christmas shopping money, research firms in Atlanta and tweak my portfolio and resume for my upcoming job search in January (which makes me scared/anxious/excited/nervous all at the same time).
I'm dedicating most of my break to reading, an activity I've recently taking up. I wasn't ever much of a reader, probably because any free time I've had in the past few years I've spent with my family and friends never with the desire to pick up a book, but I really do love it!
In a way it has become a competition (like most things in my life) with my fiancé to see who can read more books. Reading is one of those things to keep your mind working even if it's reading a fiction series about vampires written for 13 year olds...guilty.  I'm currently reading, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It really makes you think and has you on the edge of your seat the entire time ( I recommend it to everyone). The rest of my break involves a lot of traveling in airplanes and cars so I plan to add to my tally on the chalkboard wall.

Christmas: my favorite time of year

Like most, Christmas has been my favorite time of the year since I was a little girl. Not because of the presents or the long break from school, but because of tradition, family and those hilarious stories told every year around the dinner table that never getting old. Christmas to me marks the end of a year that may have had both good and bad times, adventures and unforgettable memories. Christmas marks the end of one chapter in the book of life and the start of a new one. 

For me 2011 had its' ups and downs, but for me the ups are what stay with me. 2011 began with a New 

Year's in Nashville, TN and a January in Auburn preparing for a Spring Semester aboard in Italy. 7 countries later, a million pictures, thousands of frequent flyer miles, an abroad check-list complete, and 19 new friends made up my Spring 2011. The summer was spent making up the classes and a studio I missed during my vacation study abroad semester, visiting family and making many many trips to Atlanta. But the most important thing to happen to both my family and me this summer was the birth of the 3rd grandchild/niece. With this Fall I've stumbled upon many opportunities to build my resume which will hopefully aid with future job opportunities. Auburn football weekends spent with my family and an engagement ring and proposal. As 2011 comes to a close I can say there hasn't been a dull moment. As my Mom says, "there's always something." Whether that something is good or bad it's done. I know 2012 will bring more memories, laughter and tears. A new addition to my family (another puppy Fritz, yes we already picked a name out and we don't get him till February) and a move to Atlanta in May (job or no job). 

Christmas pictures are never easy.  

the Exceptional Presenter

Presenting projects and yourself to a potential employer and/or client can often make people nervous, anxious and uneasy. Sweaty palms, shaky hands and trembling voices are tendencies of nervous or unprepared presenters. 

I made a winter resolution to read more. Read more books that are relevant to my career and future. My very professional and well educated dad gives me and my three older siblings a book every Christmas. I have to admit I tend to throw these books on my bookshelf and that's the last I ever look at them. These books are always on the Wall Street Journal's Best Sellers list and in the past I automatically categorized them under: Boring. I'm not sure what got into me exactly, maybe the realization that I'm about to start marketing myself to architecture and interior design firms for a life career of design?  

I decided to begin my resolution of reading with one of the books my dad gave me. As I turned to the last page, read, highlighted the important information and closed the book my first thought was, "Maybe these books are relevant to me...I should probably go get another."

The Exceptional Presenter was the book by a man named Timothy J. Koegel. He points out common mistakes of presenting and how to correct your presenting faults. 

My suggestion to anyone about to interview or present an idea or project is to read this book. It's an easy read with relevant and important information for anyone trying to get that dream job or making a life changing deal. 

Conceptual Designs

My last Fall semester is just weeks away from completion. Conceptual designs for the Auburn Senior Interior Design Collaborative Hospitality project have been finished, boards have been put together,  and concepts have been presented in front of the 5 person jury. I feel confident that I created five spaces successfully and could be realistically built if need be. I have to admit that I wish we were given a larger hospitality project, such as an entire restaurant or bar, but the five spaces given to us allowed for a wide range of design and knowledge for many different spaces. I was skeptical going into the project whether I'd be happy with all my final designs, but I have to admit I am proud of everyone. Please enjoy the renderings below!

Hotel Suite Living Room Rendering

Hotel Suite Bedroom Rendering

Hotel Deluxe Room Rendering

Employee Dining Room Rendering 

  

Think Tank Rendering 

Fitness Room Rendering

Published

I'm officially a published designer! This month in Workspace Magazine out of Washington, DC has published an article I wrote on Team Work and Collaboration!
Enjoy:

By Jamie Krywicki | November 1, 2011 at 1:05 am | No comments | #2.1: Nov. 2011, Ideas | Tags: collaboration, mobility, Teamwork, Think Tank

Think-Tank Rooms Primed for Innovating

The future of the workplace is evolving into a playground of possibilities. Collaboration of multiple parties was not the norm 20 years ago. The sole purpose in the business world was to get yourself ahead, not bring others along with you.

The trend has shifted with the new century from an individual to a team approach. In order to successfully collaborate, we need to create or be given the “tools” to succeed — and the environment to play in.

Think Tanks, which are collaboration rooms with an intimate relationship between design and technology, may be just that environment we’re increasingly seeing in today’s workplaces.

The purpose of these rooms is to exercise your brain in a stress-free environment.

After all, a mind performs better when your body and brain can release tension, right? And a collaborative work environment can certainly enhance creative thinking and allow for quick idea generation.

Here are a few characteristics of Think Tanks:

• The best physical environments to allow for creativity are light and bright spaces, clutter free, with architectural and natural elements.
• Lower ceilings improve performance in detail-orientated tasks, while higher ceilings encourage abstract creative thought.
• In the right think-tank environment, punches of humor can spark the brain and bring out your creativity.
• Thought-enhancing elements such as specific colors, lighting, games, and surfaces are all extremely important to a successful collaborative space.

As a senior in Auburn University’s Interior Design program, I collaborate with the Hotel at Auburn University and Conference Center. Each year, the hotel gives the senior hospitality studio a real project that will be implemented in the hotel.

One of the projects we are currently working on is a Think Tank for guests, Auburn professors, students, and the community to use to spark ideas, solve problems, and enhance collaborative creativity.

To facilitate the best design, I wanted to give the client something that wasn’t indigenous to the Auburn area. My first thought was the ocean. Auburn is located approximately 250 miles north of the Atlantic. I embraced this idea and coined my theme as a Think-Sub(marine).

Regardless of the direction or theme pursued, designing for these spaces typically requires the following elements:

Fun. Dartboards, puzzles, and board games are often found in these creative spaces to ease tension and stress. Basketball hoops, bean-bags, and foosball tables add an element of childhood and fun to the space. The purpose of this would be to spark the imagination of a child.

Mobility. Furniture must be flexible, comfortable, safe, and secure. Anything wobbly will distract the user and anything permanent will prevent personalization.

Technology embedded in furniture is innovative and saves space in small collaborative rooms.

Visuals. Visually, it is important to incorporate nature and expand the space. Windows are the effortless way to accomplish both, however, if windows are not feasible, painted nature murals or projection screens can be utilized. New surroundings allow for various ideas. Flexible furniture, adjustable lighting, and diverse room décor can create this effect.

Surfaces. Horizontal and vertical writing surfaces are mandatory in these areas. Ample writing space allows users to build on ideas and return to a previous step in the brainstorming process.

Technology. iPads, iPod docks, laptops, smart boards, video walls, and touch screens establish the tech logistics of these rooms. Having the most efficient,  latest-and-greatest instruments assists in the creative process.

Lighting. The most advantageous lighting for a Think Tank is natural sunlight and/or full spectrum fluorescents. This type of lighting will illuminate detail as well as color, enhance productivity, and decrease fatigue. Be certain to incorporate sufficient ambient and task lighting.

Ultimately, Think Tanks facilitate collaboration that can help people stay on track, experience fewer creative blocks, and fill in the missing pieces.  These creative spaces must facilitate communication among teammates, allow for personalization, and be adaptable to change.

And isn’t embracing change what good design is all about?

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

I always told myself that I'd start a business sometime in my life whether it be event planning, interior design or some sort of hobby. Well I might be making my goal a reality.
I student teach a sophomore interior design studio at Auburn and found a need for education outside of the classroom. As you walk on campus the bulletin boards are littered with tutoring flyers for physics, calculus, and chemistry but what about design? Is it possible? Most people would say you can't tutor people in design, you either have it or you don't. Those are the same people who think an interior designer rearranges furniture. Design is an intricate thing with many facets contributing to its success. Technology can a crutch or a nuisance, but a necessity. Auburn's interior design program is one of the best in the country and the time devoted to teaching Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, CAD, Sketchup and Revit is minimal. We can't blame the program though. There isn't enough time in the studio to go into great detail the capabilities of these programs. We're taught the basics and the expected to self teach the rest on our own. If we have to learn by trial and error we waste hours even days that could be going to project concentration.
Why can't someone offer a service to teach newbies in design programs these valuable computer skills?
Well I am. I decided to start a tutoring business for design. Will it be successful? I hope. If it's not well I try a gander at something else. Nothing ventured, nothing lost.

Beyond the Classroom

Site View of Springfield Neighborhood School
Jacksonville, Florida

At the beginning of this semester I was approached to design a Charter School in Jacksonville, Florida. I took the offer immediately. Did I know a single thing about Institutional Design? ...Well, I go to school at an institution and I've been a kindergartener, 1st, and 2nd grader a few years ago. But the real answer to that question was no. I didn't know anything about appropriate FF&E for a project like this or what psychological aspects of interior design had to be implemented to make the space successful. ADA, fire, and building codes had to be used of course but that was all I knew.

Letterhead Design
Signifying community, diversity
and children. 

As a designer, I was taught you never say no to a job unless you know you aren't capable of the work. I got a team together to start researching the odds and ends of anything and everything having to do with designing for children and a teaching environment. Appropriate materials, furnishings, codes, etc. were looked at, types of teaching behaviors, children, and other institution were researched. A conceptual design of classrooms K-2 were in the process of being created in our minds and on paper.
Beyond interior design, I love to design exteriors and graphics as well. For a kick off party I was asked to do an exterior rendering of the potential building. The Springfield Neighborhood School would be utilizing 24 1000sq. ft. houses in the Jacksonville, Florida area. Each building would house a single classroom for grades K-2 and additional grades once the charter school expands, administration, cafeteria, library and gymnasium.

Exterior School House: Style1

Exterior School House: Style 2

Unfortunately, the committee didn't receive city approval for the building of the school because of insufficient funding. They are in the process of appearing before the city again, but till then the school is on hold. I enjoyed learning about institutional design and provided my team and I valuable information we wouldn't have received in our schooling. I'd like to thank the members of the school board for giving me the opportunity to design their school and hopefully in the future my team can finish what we started.

-Jamie Krywicki

Almost Finished

           I promised myself when I returned from Italy that I'd start a design blog...well, here it is! I'm about to end another Interior Design semester at Auburn University and come January I'll begin my last. It's bitter sweet, leaving friends and a school I love to enter the real world. I'd lie if I said I wasn't nervous but I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't ready. Life is a book filled with many chapters and college is one that will have to end eventually. I believe my professors have given me the skills I'll need to be the best Interior Designer that I can offer a future firm. I have gotten through semesters, projects, and studios that may have put me on the edge of a breakdown, but I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't learn to calm down and work through the stress a project can put on you. It continues in the real-world, it gets worse, and we all have to realize to work through obstacles to succeed.

The Hotel at Auburn University Pin-Up
ff&e and furniture plans

         The project I'm currently working on in my Hospitality studio is for The Hotel at Auburn University. We have to design a think-tank, employee dining room, fitness room, hotel room, and a hotel suite. Someone's design will be implemented in the future to better these spaces. In the next few weeks final ff&e, perspectives, and concept boards will be presented to the hotel manager and a jury board. I think my favorite part of the design process is the pin-up presentation. It allows you to envision the space with materials, finishes, and architectural details without having the reality of it in front of you. I also feel that a pin-up is less intimating to a client if you were to present it to them. It's more personal, collaborative, and flexible. Change a fabric, a finish, or detail without having to redo the entire design. It's extremely important in design to listen to what your client's needs and wants are....it's EXTREMELY important in design to LISTEN to what your client's needs and wants are.