How to Market Yourself

What does "marketing yourself" mean? It is really simply, when you are marketing yourself you are creating your own brand. It doesn't matter is you are running your own business, are an employee or a job seeker, if you market yourself you can achieve success. Marketing requires you developing what you unique talents and abilities are and your ability to communicate them to others effectively. 

Here are some tips to help you develop yourself as a "brand"

Write down a list of your strengths and skills that would be intriguing when networking with professionals. Ask yourself these questions: "What is unique about me?" "What set me apart from others in my field?" "How can I make a lasting impression?" "How can I market myself at every opportunity?"

Develop a concise message that you can share that would takes about 10-20 seconds to deliver. In the business world it is called an "elevator speech." Develop and practice your message.

Remember every time you communicate with others, there is an opportunity to make an impact. Anything you put into writing should be clear, concise and easy to read. Make sure to include the list of strengths you had made earlier.

You communicate by what you wear. So what you wear is important. Dress for the occasion. Choose you outfit wisely. Make use you clothes are ironed and if you are wearing leather shoes polish them.

Make a great first impression. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. People trend to make a first impression of you within the first few minutes of meeting you. When meeting new people use eye contact, a firm hand shake, and don't forget to smile.

Prepare yourself when networking or going on a job interview. It is important to prepare in advance.

Stand out in a crowd. Remember you are presenting yourself a brand. Make sure you are the one they remember!

Keep Your Computer Skills Up-to-Date

The technology in the interior design field is ever changing. As students we need to make sure that we knowledgeable about the different computer programs like Revit Architecture, Google SketchUp, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.

Lynda.com is a great website for students to learn the different computer programs that are used in the interior design field. There are great videos to watch. Lynda.com also provides supplemental files to go along with the videos.

Lynda.com is a great tool to have.

Want to Design for a Scholarship?

National Kitchen and Bath Association is holding a student design competition sponsored by Sub-Zero/Wolf and Waypoint Living Spaces. Students are asked to renovate a 19th century Federal Style Row House to the needs and wants of its client Michael and Jolene Matthews. The Matthews desire a traditional style allowing accessories and colors that reflect and add to the charm of the row house.

The winning entries in both kitchen and bath design will be recognized during the 2012 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago. The winning design will also be featured NKBA Design Competition Winners Publication and awarded the following prizes:

First Place Kitchen $2500 Scholarship

First Place Bath $2500 Scholarship

Second Place Kitchen $1500 Scholarship

Second Place Bath $1500 Scholarship

Third Place Kitchen $1000 Scholarship

Third Place Bath $1000 Scholarship

The winners will also receive a complimentary registration to KBIS 2012.

You can learn more about the competition here.

Michael and Jolene Matthews

19th Century Row House from NKBA Student Design Competition Brochure

Here are some of the 2009/2010 winners. 

USGBC Multifamily Midrise Design Competition

Have you heard the buzz about the USGBC design competition? The USGBC Multifamily Midrise Design Competition is being put on by the USBGC and Autodesk. The competition entails designing a 4-6 story mixed-use building alongside a "gut-rehab" renovation of an existing building in the City of New Orleans.

The winning design will be featured in a complete version of Autodesk Building Design Suite Ultimate Edition and an one-year enhanced listing at GreenHomeGuide.com.

Photo from USGBC Multifamily Midrise Design Competition website courtesy of First Community Housing

The final day of submission is August 1, 2011. The winner will be announced October 4-7, 20011 during the 2011 Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Toronto.

You can read more about the competition here.

Imagination at Its Finest

The bright lights and big names of the high end fashion industry set the standards high for boutique stores. Supernova Studio accepted the challenge when designing Kokoo Boutique. Boutiques need a grand feature to grab their shopper's attention. People like to experience something unique and out of the ordinary to enhance their shopping experience. A visual presence is important for any retail space, however, it is imperative for a boutique.

Kokoo Boutique was featured on the Interior Design Magazine website. "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" Is a question that has been asked for centuries. Supernova felt that they came simultaneously, henceforth creating a new concept. 

Flooring of laminated MDF flows through the 38 square foot ground level, while a rear mezzanine add 100 feet

  

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Dangling from the ceiling are an egg with legs in cast fiberglass sprayed with automotive paint

The giant rooster adds to the character of Kokoo Boutique. Supernova did not want to use the traditional fixtures found in retail stores. The use of colors, textures, and materials create a visual identity for the boutique. Designing a boutique of the stature allows for the products sold to follow suite.

Why use hooks to hang jewelry when you can use umbrella handles?

Having a fresh, avant garde space creates a visual identity for a boutique that anyone would want to shop in.

2011 VMSD Visual Competition

Visual Merchandising and Store Design had a visual design competition. Here are some of the winners.

Best in Show; First Place, Niketown, New York "World Basketball Festival"

First Place, In-Store Home Good Presentation, Macy's on State Street, Chicago "Spring China Tables"

First Place, Holiday Window Display: Product, Mercedes-Benz Showroom, London, "Christmas"

Award of Merit, Non-Holiday Window Display: Apparel, Macy's Herald Square, New York "Fall Fashion"

Award of Merit, Non-Holiday Window Display: Theme, Holt Renfrew, Toronto "Icon"

Award of Merit, Non-Holiday Window Display: Theme, Holt Renfrew, Toronto "You Better Work"

Today's visual merchandisers have become the total package. Combining illustrations, graphics, texture, and design create a layering effect to complete a display that is eye catching.

"Pop-Up Retail"

In today's economic time, "Pop-Up Retail" stores are becoming more popular. Trends and products come and go with retail stores following suite. Pop-up stores are becoming more common in outlet malls. These temporary retail spaces are popping up around the world, as stated here. TRENDWATCHING.COM noticed the trend in 2004 and has only become more popular.

The Body Shop's pop-up at the Goodwood Vintage Festival in West Sussex, U.K.

Pop-up stores were once considered a cheap, quick concept for retailers have morphed into elaborate design projects. These temporary stores not only sell apparel, food-based stores have been becoming more popular as well. A 4000-square-foot temporary restaurant called JBF LTD was opened in the New York was mentioned in Visual Merchandising and Store Design's article The Next Generation of Pop-ups. 

JBF, LTD, New York

These pop-up stores have become more than places to shop.

Tommy Hilfiger's Prep World

Association Fair Recap

The first ever Association Fair held Wednesday at FIDM's Los Angeles Campus was a success. Alongside Retail Design Institute, there were other associations such as the Interior Design Society, International Interior Design Association, and Set Decorators Society of America.  

RDI table the FIDM Los Angeles Campus Association Fair

nextGEN President, Jenny Diaz and Communication Chair, Michelle Curry at the RDI table

Joining an association is beneficial to any student's career because it allows for networking with professionals and helps students learn about the different fields in interior design. Being affiliated with an association looks really good on your resume. 

We met some great interior design students which expressed interest in nextGEN. Hopefully they will join!

nextGEN Communication Chair, Michelle Curry speaking to FIDM student about RDI

Thank you Celeste for having us at the first ever FIDM Association Fair. We enjoyed meeting your students.

Our thank you gift from FIDM Advisor Celeste Day-Drake 

Playtype: Dedicated Digital Font Store

Playtype.com has opened a store where you purchase digital fonts on credit card looking USB's. This brick and mortar store is located in Copenhagen and the concept is fabulous. 

So simple, yet so elegant.

Association Fair at FIDM

nextGEN will be at the FIDM Los Angeles Campus for the first ever Association Fair. Interior design students are invited to come and learn about the different interior design professional associations. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the interior design industry and network with professionals. There will be information about various design competitions and internships. Students will learn about the benefits of membership with various design associations.

The Association Fair will be held Wednesday, July 20th, at the FIDM Los Angeles Campus. The event will be from 10am to 12 pm, in the student lounge on the 4th floor. Parking is available in the structure below the building; the parking entrance is on the south side of 9th Street just before Grand Avenue. 

This will be an exciting opportunity to network with industry professionals. Hope to see you there!

FIDM Los Angeles Campus

919 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015

(on the SW corner of 9th and Grand)

Welcome Students

Retail Design Institute is pleased to announce the nextGEN Student Chapter! The chapter consists of many different schools in Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Visual Merchandising and so much more. We strive to connect students with professionals, students and faculties dedicated in the Retail Design world.  

Please meet our current student members for nextGEN!

There are still positions available so feel free to contact us @ nextgen.retaildesigninstitute@gmail.com

We are planning a few events really soon so stay tune as we announce! Keep designing!