Learning From the Experts
Students Get Advice from Top Designers at Industry Fair
by Yuridia Peña
Hundreds of boisterous teenagers filled Manhattan’s iconic Altman Building in Chelsea at the Sixth Annual NYC Design Fair this fall to learn about the world of design from the top people in their fields.
The two-hour event featured an opportunity for students to go from table to table to speak with dozens of designers from different fields – fashion, graphics, architecture, cartooning and technology – who answered questions, offered advice and looked at student portfolios. The designers, themselves, brought their own portfolios to show students what a good portfolio contains. (To make sure nobody starved, the fair hosts offered plenty of delicious finger food for the students.)
Fashion expert and Project Runway co-host Tim Gunn was frank about the competitive nature of the business as he answered questions from the audience during a Q&A. “If you are not passionate about being a designer, don’t do it. Its not just a job; you live with it, you don’t leave it back in the office,” he said.
“I want to encourage young people to pursue their dream in design,” said Phil Jimenez, an artist for Marvel and DC Comics. His advice: Be polite and persistent. “Never give-up and when they say ‘no,’ find out what will make them say ‘yes’,” he added.
“Employers look for versatility,” said Ryan Cox, a freelance artist. Designers brought examples of what good versatility and original concepts looks like. And it worked. Students wrote notes as they received pointers on how to market themselves and make their work memorable to potential clients. “You get a lot of chances to build relationships and network,” said Taylor Johnson, a senior student at Art and Design High School.
“I created a hair jacket, [because] what I’m trying to do [is] make myself stand out,” said Georgina Jean-Dusseck, a sophomore at Fashion Industries High School. The confident young woman said the best advice she received was from Mr. Gunn who inspired her to learn about the history of fashion to design authentic and original pieces.
Middle school student Robyn Salazar learned valuable tips too. She said a designer suggested sketching lightly and swiftly before concentrating on the details. Representatives from art schools also attended the fair to talk about the college admissions process and financial aid resources.
The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum organized the free event, which is part of National Design Week, Oct. 15 – 23. Since 2006, National Design Week has been an education initiative
that draws attention to the ways in which design enriches people’s lives.
