It’s Time to Get Serious

Since I have no “job” to wake up for, lately I have been rolling out of bed whenever I feel like it. Which means, around 11am I get up. And then I proceed to waste an hour catching up on Facebook, emails, and Twitter. Mostly Facebook, though. Next, my husband (graduate student, also unemployed) and I take our Yorkie on a walk to the local cafe. Once we return after having a delicious, expensive breakfast, it’s around 1pm. I then continue wasting time on Facebook, Youtube, and catch up on blogs I subscribe to (see “Links” to the right for a short list). If I find anything of interest I post it to my various online networks, from Twitter to Facebook and of course, here. I also spend this time looking for jobs on sites I have bookmarked (AIA, Craigslist, Archinet, Architizer, etc.). If it’s a particularly nice day, we might go for a bike ride, or have a picnic at the beach, or read a book on the balcony. The possibilities of outdoor activities in Vancouver are endless. And later on, if I feel like it, I might sketch a little or paint some flowers. Then cap off the evening with some TV, play a board game with some friends, or go see a movie.

What a perfect day, right? All this free time that so many people are jealous of, and what do I have to show for it? Nothing much for my resume/portfolio, but some great memories!

I’ve never had a 9-5 job except for a few months in 2008, to get used to a daily rhythm. Basically, I haven’t had a set schedule since high school and even then it was crazy. After a while all the days seem to blur together, and I often don’t know what day it is. Also, all of this spare time I could be productive. There are so many things I want to do… learn a language, volunteer, build something, design competitions, learn Revit/Rhino/3d Max.

So, it’s time to get serious. Wake up early. Prioritize job searches, send resumes, and build up my portfolio. I’m even considering quitting Facebook. That’s some serious stuff.

Where to begin:

• AIAS has a list of some great resources to keep me busy
• Some good advice from a fellow unemployed intern
• Great reasons to keep going with design competitions and sketch everyday (also advice from an unemployed architect)
• Learn some advanced Sketchup, Illustrator, and Indesign skills (I would learn 3ds Max and AutoCAD right now, but I have a Mac and can’t afford to pay for the programs)

Filed under: About, Inspirations, jobs, links, skills, tips, unemployment

Tuesday Readings

Today I have been immersed in reading some intense conversations online about unpaid internships. I first heard about it on Architizer and was quickly whisked into the wonderful online world of opinionated blog posts and anonymous comments. I have seen some posts in the past on the subject of unpaid internships, but the debate gained new momentum when the NYT posted an article on it. The debate really heats up here, on Design Intelligence blog, where the subject is Architecture: A Corrupt Profession? Posts and discussions like this really make me wonder if it’s all worth it, as I constantly reconsider my interest in the architecture profession.

Architects Who Eat Their Young, a blog exposing firms who offer unpaid internships. I found the Robert Siegal post particularly interesting. Although it is illegal, I would consider an unemployed part-time internship to gain some skills and build my resume. Seriously, how am I supposed to learn Revit, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Rhino, etc. without access to these expensive computer programs??????? Seriously?!? I am searching high and low for an entry-level position at an architecture firm, and every one requires CAD and 3D modeling skills, which I don’t have. It’s a vicious cycle that I wish I had the answer to.

Architects Doing Other Things is my favorite find of the day. Click on Nancy Gordon and/or Allyson Wray and you will find my personal favorite inspirations. (I’m seriously considering a volunteer trip to Peru now.) It’s wonderful to see other amazing, talented women doing stuff they love and owning up to becoming responsible for their own success. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder in a firm the typical way, these women take a more organic approach. I love how they all don’t really know where they will be in the next few years, but are just doing what they love and seeing what works.

Filed under: Inspirations, Jobs, carousel, debate, design, inspiration, internship, links, unemployment

Kitchen Inspirations

This past year working as a server/smoothie maker/cashier/bus-girl/dishwasher/raw chef (all at once!), I have had a chance to discover my interests outside the realm of design. Specifically preparing food. And eating it! Having a break from the design world was a nice change of pace, and one that was absolutely needed if not wanted. Today was my last day at my minimum-wage-with-tips food service job. I think it’s necessary to reflect on the past year and analyze the experience. Learning a bunch about food, I have nurtured my love of cuisine and now have a new hobby. Now to create a space where I can enjoy my new-found passion, and I will be in heaven. Right now my kitchen consists of a teeny-tiny space accented with black and red. Let’s just say I didn’t choose the apartment based on my love of cuisine.

So, with that long-winded introduction, I would like to show you a compilation of my favorite kitchens to date. When I am blessed with the opportunity to design my very own kitchen, I can refer to my collection of inspirations, some of which are posted here.

I love the eclectic mix all three kitchens have. The open feel and exposed history of the space make the kitchen one-of-a-kind and clean enough that I would love to make a mess in. The second bright kitchen is a down-to-earth room. You can tell everything was collected from different places/times, and it all simply comes together to create a lovely functional room (and the tiles are to die for!).  The last kitchen is simply my dream kitchen. I mean, take the massive window, sink, and island with the white/black/wood finishes and I am in love!

Click on the images for more information.

Filed under: Inspirations, cuisine, design, diy, inspiration, kitchens