nextGEN: nextGEN

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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth from all of us at nextGEN! We hope that you have a wonderful and safe holiday! Enjoy the sunshine, food, family and friends!

Source Don't Stop This Train

Source LF Stores

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Our goal at nextGEN to expose you as students to the realities of the interior design industry. We wanted to take the time to stress the fact that you should keep up your computer skills and any other design related skills. There is no denying it, technology and social media are taking over the world! Not really, but in reality technology is become more and more advanced. Which brings us to the first point we made, "keep your computer skills up!" Many design firms are using programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign; just to name a few. Some firms are also making the transition from AutoCAD to Revit. What does that mean for you? Our answer, if you don't know it learn it!! In the land of the worldwide web, there are unlimited resources to help yourself strengthen your computer skills. We have previously posted about a valuable resource here. Maybe leaning online isn't your thing. Local community colleges offer classes for the various programs you are interested in learning.

However, even though technology is upping the ante you still need to keep up your sketching skills. In a world of smartphones, tablets, and computers, industry professionals still use hand sketching as a tool to convey their thoughts and ideas. Get yourself a sketchbook. Sketch the various thoughts that come across your mind. There is nothing more impressive that stacks of filled sketchbooks with your thoughts in them. Sketching is not only a creative outlet, you are able to strengthen your skills the more you do it. Sketch something today! One of the most common block for people when it comes to sketching is that is doesn't look right. Most people over think the idea of sketching. The goal is not to get a perfect piece of artwork. Sketching is a form of art, there are no mistakes in art!

Bottom line, keep your skills up. If you want to be competitive in today's job market you have to be the best of the best. Happy learning!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Why Should I Compete?

A design competition can seem a little intimidating to a student. You have homework, models to build, presentations to prep for, and may even be working. Many students ask the question "why should I compete?" Students want to know if competing in a competition will benefit them. Here are some benefits in competing.

You are able to get practice. In the classroom, students may be given a set program they need to follow when designing. However, when you compete you are able to step outside of the classroom and implement design in the real world. You are also able to test your skills under pressure.

You allow yourself to be exposed to the design industry. These competitions are not solely attended by students, professionals in the industry attend as well. Let's be honest, it is intimating for a student to approach a professional. However, during competitions the atmosphere is pleasant and easier for students to mingle with professionals. Competitions provide opportunities for emerging professionals to be recognized for their fresh ideas and a platform to showcase their work. If you do win you can create a social media strategy that will draw attention to the story by sending and cross-referencing the news via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, your blog and/or website, as well through the competition sponsors and by the press. Besides all the other pros, competing in competitions is fun!

We hope the next student competition that comes along, you decide to compete!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Competition Winner Spotlight: Rocio Vasquez

Rocio Vasquez was this year's student competition winner. We wanted to find out what Rocio is most passionate about the interior design industry.

What first inspired you about interior design? I grew up around "design" my whole life. My father is an automobile designer, so I loved learning about it. As I got older, I started understanding more about the field and the conceptual side of things and realized that buildings go through the same development process. That is where I developed my interest in architecture and interior design.

What area of the interior design industry are you most passionate about? I absolutely love hospitality and recreation design. There are endless possibilities in those areas. However, I am most passionate about institutional design. I feel most passionate when it comes to designing a place in which a person is not only going to benefit from but also grow as an individual; whether it be anything from schools to religious facilities.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? In the next 5 years I see myself working in a firm here in Southern California and hopefully traveling at least once a year with non-profit organizations all around the world.

What would be your dream design job? Religion is a huge part of my life and defines me as an individual. My dream job would be to take part in the creation of a new cathedral. To me nothing would be more satisfying than to be able to partake in creating God's home.

Do you think competing in design competitions help benefit your career as a student? I definitely believe that having taken part in the competition was a huge benefit for me as a student. Not only did it allow me to step out of my comfort zone when it came to presenting in front all the professionals, but it also tested my ability to work under pressure.

Would you recommend other students to compete in design competitions? Why? I would encourage other students to participate in design completions because it truly is a learning experience. It's also great and fun opportunity to network and meet professionals in the field.

For all of us at nextGEN, we wish you the best in your future endeavors!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Happy, Happy Birthday to nextGEN

Source Brown Eyed Belle

Today is our blog's birthday! It has been a year since our first post. We can't thank you you enough for all your support. We hope that you have enjoyed the posts we've made and the posts to come! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on our various posts.

Many thanks to all of YOU our amazing, encouraging, outgoing readers! We've not only made it through our first year, but we’ve also realized that this blogging lifestyle is something we love. The past year has been more rewarding than we ever thought it could be and it’s due to the connections we have made through past events.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Second Annual Student Competition is Coming Up

Thursday, January 19, 2012

One Launch, Two Nights, Two Cities

Limited to 40 people by RSVP only, per location...

RSVP on Facebook by clicking "Join" through one of the red links below.

A social mixer event to launch the new website for our members, demonstrate how members can benefit from it's new features, and highlight events we're planning on for the year. Please introduce a friend...non-members and potential new members are welcome to attend. Board members will be happy to answer any questions regarding membership. See you soon!

02/15/12 (Wednesday)

Location: Nadel Architects Los Angeles

1990 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California 90025
Time: 6pm Light Refreshments; 6.30-8pm Demo & 'Town Hall' Discussion; 8.30pm Finish ; Join us afterwards @ The Arsenal Bar 12012 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064-1127 www.arsenalbar.com
Sponsors: Nadel Architects and ikonic tonic

Fee: Free to Members & Non-Members. Limited to 40 people by RSVP only.

Click here to RSVP via Facebook for the LA location

Parking & Access: Street Parking. Parking closes at 6pm. Building lifts close down by 7pm so please ensure entry by this time for access to 4th floor.

02/16/12 (Thursday)

Location: Little Architects Orange County

1901 Newport Blvd, Suite 300,

Costa Mesa, California 92627
Time: 6pm Light Refreshments; 6.30-8pm Demo & 'Town Hall' Discussion; 8.30pm Finish ; Join us afterwards @ The Yard House, Triangle Square Shopping Center, 1875 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA www.yardhouse.com for those interested.

Sponsors: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting.

Fee: Free to Members & Non-Members. Limited to 40 people by RSVP only.

Click here to RSVP via Facebook for the Costa Mesa location

Parking & Access: Parking to front of building or around to rear in parking structure. Entry through courtyard at front or rear and take elevator to Level 3.

*For any questions about either event, please email: caswpres@retaildesigninstitute.org

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Let's Talk Domain Names

We hope the previous post about building your website got you thinking. Once you have finished with the design of your website it is time to let the world view it! Now it is time to choose your domain name. What is a domain name? A domain name is used to identify one or more IP addresses. Domain names are used in URLs to identify a particular web page. Every domain name has a suffix that indicates which top level domain (TLD) it belongs to. Some common suffixes include .com, .org, .net, .gov, .info, etc. Source Webopedia

There is one word to describe choosing your domain name, thoughtfully. When considering your domain name make it simple, specific and one that makes sense to anyone wishing to find your site. There is no point in choosing a domain name that's not going to easily direct visitors to your site. Choose a name that best describes the nature of your site.

Once you have decided on a domain name, it's time to register it. There are many different companies that will register your domain name. Before you register your domain name, you need to make sure that name is not already in use. Here are a few companies that you can use to register your domain name.

GoDaddy