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

Keep Up Your Skills

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!

Go For the Gold: Having a Successful Internship

After hours and hours of research you landed an internship in the interior design industry! Congrats! Now it is time for a reality check. You need to make the most out of your internship. In a way, an internship could be somewhat like "test driving" your future career. Many individuals go into an internship with the hopes it will turn into a full time position. Now that you have your internship, what do you do next?

First things first be professional! You are entering into the real world of the interior design industry, so it is important you act the part. This begins with your attire. You can take a few tips on what to wear from a previous post. Make sure you find out what the companies dress policy is because that will also help you when it comes to attire. You only have one chance to make a first impression, make it a good one!

Decide what you want to get out of your internship. It is helpful to make a list of the goals you have. Ask you supervisor to sit down to discuss your objectives. Let them know what you would like to get out of your internship. Do not be afraid to ask questions either. No one learned anything by passively siting down. Ask questions about the company's design philosophy or their design development process. Dive in to the company culture head first! Find out everything you possibly can. The last thing you would want to do is waste their time and yours.


At the end of your internship if you are not offered a position, that's okay. You can always ask for a letter of recommendation or ask if they know anyone who is hiring. If you have a portfolio or resume, ask your supervisor if they could critic it for you. It doesn't hurt to get a second set of eyes to look at your work. Who knows, you could get some fresh ideas to revamp the layout of your work.

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!

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.

Recap of the Student Competition

The Southern California Chapter of the Retail Design Institute held it’s signature Student Challenge Event on May 31st in the heart of NicoNat Manufacturing’s facility in Commerce, CA.

In recognition of the Institute’s recently judged International Student Store Design Competition, the brief was centered on the creation of High End Accessory Store Designs, featuring students from California State Long Beach & the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

The event provided local students the opportunity to demonstrate their creative talent and showcase their innovative competition entries to local retail design firms. Each student was partnered with a mentor from the Industry and given one of five brands to work with: Oliver Peoples, Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Christian Louboutin and Tous.

“What I love about this event most, is how energized everyone is!” commented James Farnell, President of the Institute’s Southern California Chapter. “Through this event, the students are given an amazing stage on which to perform, with an audience of leading industry experts and exposure to many other members of the local retail design community. Our professional members equally enjoy the opportunity - to get out of their studios and work alongside emerging Southern Californian design talent in a competitive, raw environment. It’s a win-win formula!”

During the course of the afternoon each team created store concepts and a presentation board against the backdrop of the raw manufacturing facility that hosted the event. As guests arrived for the evening event and took the opportunity to network on the red carpet, each student presented their work to a panel of industry experts.

Guests included professionals and faculty from H&M, Westfield, Disney, Forever 21, Little, Quicksilver, Callison, Pacific Fixture Co, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, California State University Long Beach, Hekman Company and several others.

The successful finalists were then asked to develop their designs into models for a final presentation as members and friends of the Institute were invited to join an educational tour of the facilities’ new technologies and energy efficient systems.

Congratulations to winning team Rocio Vasquez (CSULB) and Philip Otto (Callison) whose award was designed, fabricated and later fabricated during the course of the very same evening!

Check out the event photos here.

Students

Rocio Vasquez – CSULB

Nicole Robinson – CSULB

Deanna Pech – CSULB

Britt Lang – FIDM

Megan Moussamih – FIDM

Mentors

Josh Breeden, Designers/Project Architect, Gensler

Philip Otto, Director, Callison

Amanda Thevenot, Sr. Designer Store Concepts, BCBG

Hethe Breuer, Design Director, Kellwood

Michelle Tomlinson, Tomlinson Consulting

Judges

Jude Elledge, Creative Director, Trend Habitat

Christine Nakaoka, Director of Creative Services, Forever 21

Susanne Andrey, Owner- Founder, Infuse Ideas

Sponsors

NicoNat Manufacturing

Infuse Ideas

Signage by Victory Display

Credits

Photography - Kelly Nguyen

Special thanks also to board members Susanne Andrey, Mimi Yacobucci and Jenny Diaz for co-ordinating the event with Kelly Nguyen, Michelle Curry and Hedi Carrigan of the RDI nextGEN Team; and for the additional support from the staff at NicoNat Manufacturing. You made the evening a huge success!

Students who wish to join the institute or enter next year should register their interest with Jenny Diaz

For more details on our previous events visit us here or for general inquiries please contact caswpres@retaildesigninstitute.org

Color Forecasting in Real Time

Is it possible to forecast color trends in real time around the world? Pimkie Color Forecast thinks it is. They show you in real time what people are wearing in Europe's fashion capitals.

 High definition cameras were installed in Milan, Paris, and Antwerp (Europe's fashion capitals). The cameras are connected to Mac Mini's with color tracking software developed by Pedro Cruz. 

The software analyzes the passing colors and shows in real time which colors are worn most. A ll colors are then complied in nice infographics, so you can follow how the cities evolve and how trends change.

 What is even more fascinating Pimkie even suggests clothes to purchase based on the current color trends. You are just one click away from being  on trend when it comes to color.

There is even an archive of the past color trends that where seen from the previous day or month. This is a unique concept for retailers and color forecasting. 

You can even take your color forecasting on the go. Download the app on iTunes here.

Check out how it works...

Source Vimeo

Design Milk on Parsons

Design Milk is a modern design blog and magazine sharing contemporary art, furniture, architecture, interior design, style, technology, and home accessories. Recently Design Milk has made a post about Parsons The New School of Design. Parsons is located in New York City and is made up of five schools that bring together undergraduate and graduate programs including art, media and technology, art and design/history and theory, design strategies, fashion, and constructed environments.

Parsons has been considered a pioneer in art and design education since 1896. They have cultivated their students into becoming outstanding artists, designers, scholars, business people, and community leaders. Parsons is the only integrated school of architecture, interior design, product design, and lighting design in the United States.

To a student tools make all the difference in the world. Parsons has its own signature Design Workshop. The students are able to come into the workshop to design and construct projects for non-profit clientele. The goal of the school is equip students to use the keytools to solve problems with design everyday.

Photo by Bill Handelman

To read more about Parsons click here. If you are a student interested starting your journey in the design industry, Parsons is a great school to consider to get your education.

Pantone + Gap

Pop up stores have become a popular trend in the retail industry. Last year, Gap and Pantone partnered together opening a pop up store on 5th Ave. Combining the iconic and popular Gap t-shirts with the vibrant hues, created a energetic color filled t-shirt shop. Who doesn't love color? The store featured Gap's upcoming spring collection in the true Pantone Colors, including a limited-edition tee in Mimosa (Pantone's color of the year 2009). 

“We wanted to create an explosion of color and bring some warmth and optimism to our customers,” said Patrick Robinson, executive vice president of design for Gap Adult and gapbody. “Mixing Pantone’s vibrant colors with Gap’s signature t-shirts gives everyone an opportunity to find the perfect tee they can mix and match for their own personal style.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Gap to bring PANTONE Colors to life in such an accessible way,” said Lisa Herbert, executive vice president of Pantone’s fashion, home and consumer division. “We recently selected Mimosa as the 2009 color of the year because yellow, more than any other color, best expresses hope and reassurance. During this time of economic uncertainty and change, we are excited to bring optimism and joy to consumers by offering products in this imaginative color at the Gap & Pantone T-Shop.”

 Source Lintcoat 

 Source Lintcoat

 Source Lintcoat

Source Lintcoat

A New Form of Job Hunting

With the ever changing job market the way you search for a job will change. Path.To has a new outlook on searching for a job. They mission is to connect the right people to the right job opportunity. Path.To sets out to accomplish this by creating personalized recommendations that deliver the best compatible matches for talent. Path.To calls themselves the "e-harmony for jobs." Path.To features the "Path.To Source." This is a personalized system that analyzes to unique characteristics of each job seeker. This is used to develop a sense of compatibility between job seeker and business. Path.To even asks questions like your preference of dress code, benefits, and company size. To further the personalization of your job search you are able to "like" or "dislike" the job openings that have been found for you. 

Check out Path.To's blog or follow them on Twitter. 

Source Path.To

Tires Made High-End

When you think of luxury high-end jewellry, do tires come to mind? Tires a commonly associated with cars, trucks, bikes, and all other things using wheels. It may boggle the mind that tires could be considered luxurious and glamorous, however, not to Studio Kattentidt. Studio Kattentidt was given the ultimate challenge of converting an old shop beneath the S-Bahn rail line that connects East Berlin to West Berlin into an innovative store concept. The goal was to create an interesting, entertaining and inspiring environment that is appealing to both customers and professional buyers.

Keeping the character of the rough brick and arches of the existing structure, Studio Kattendit created a pared-down gallery atmosphere. The studio avoided the typical sleek and glossy imagery of high-end designer boutiques by turning to using recycled tires.

Three impressive chandeliers are made from large lorry tires, construction lamps and oversized crystal are suspended from the ceiling. Tires are stacked and groups throughout the showroom. The fixtures a lit with LED lamps to illuminate the jewelry.

The accessories and leather products are placed on platforms and are lit by the frosted glass surface. Clothes rails and reconverted bike stands are suspended from the walls, along with cabinets made from tyres 

that have been cut in half and topped with glass.

Source The Cool Hunter



Source The Cool Hunter



Source The Cool Hunter

Source The Cool Hunter

Source The Cool Hunter

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Source Gooood



Source Gooood



Source Gooood

To check out more photos of bow.berlin click here.

Second Annual Student Competition is Coming Up

Should You Apply?

When looking for a new job, there can be a sea of possible job opportunities. What happens if you stumble upon a position that you may meet all the stated requirements? You may ask yourself, "should I apply?" The answer is, YES! Here's why. Most people conducting an interview don't know exactly what they are looking for. 

After reviewing the overall job description, stating the amount of years of experience required, and the tools and skills needed to perform the job; you would think that the employer knows who they want to hire. After all they were the one who created the outline for the position in great detail.

The job description may have been written by someone by someone in human resources, not the person who is interviewing you. Even if it was written by you potential boss, what is stopping you from applying? Interviewers have a broad sense of what they are looking for in a potential employee.

Don't limit yourself, apply for that job!

3D In Living Color

"From catwalk to the crayon box, the lure of the 3D image has capture designer's imaginations. But rather than an influx of expensive production techniques an hi-tech, time consuming processes, the creative world has returned to the art of the red-green 3D image." Source Stylus

What is a anaglyph, you ask. An anaglyph is a red-green or red-cyan 3D image that has the ability of the human brain to create a sense of depth within a 2D image. It forces each eye to simultaneously look at a slightly different version of the same object. It's all about tricking the mind into precieveing depth. Here how the process works:

Using anaglyphs is nothing new. The process of creating depth with color was first demonstrated in the mid 19th century by Wilhelm Rollmann. Rollmann exploed the effect of a red-blue anaglyph line drawing viewed through red and blue lined glasses. A few years later Joseph D'Almeida began showing red-green magic lantern slideshows to audiences with red-green glasses.

The process boomed in the 1920s, however the term 3D was not coined until the 1950s. Anaglyph imagery began appearing in popular publications and movies such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Dispoable 3D glasses with the colored acetate became a popular giveaway with comics.

Now let's fast forward to present day. Anaglyph images have recently began to resurface in today's society. History always seemes to repeat itself. These images have been have been seen in fashion and publishing, packaging, technology, and even children's toys. The technique gives a retro 3D effect and feel without the high budget and lengthy post-production treatments used in films such as Avatar.

Anaglyphs were first seen in Alexander McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2006-2007 show, Baillie Walsh's 3D approach to fashion in motion was revisited in September 2010 in KM3D-1, an anaglyphic film starring Kate Moss.

Sephora Goes Mobile

New York is known for being the city that never sleeps. So there is no doubt that it's a busy city. There are always meetings to go to, people to see and places to go in Manhattan. Now you can have your must have mascara, skincare product or favorite lip gloss in a New York minute. Sephora wanted to launch a same-day delivery service for online cosmetics sales in New York. 


ACCESS agency designed a series of six different head-turning MINI Cooper wraps for their fleet of six vehicles. Bold was the name of the game. These designs will stand out in the busy New York street scene, among the taxis and delivery vehicles. They were gunning for big impact and quick recognition, immediate attention, a bold and cool vibe, something that would generate on-street buzz, even with only six vehicles.

It's All In the Packaging

Warning! This post may have you look at the contents of your packaging differently. Care to try grasshopper chips or cricket croquettes? Not your cup of tea? Try some mealworm sushi. If you were raised in the West, you're probably a little more than hesitant to try any kind of insect. Insects are actually healthier and gentler on the environment that commercially raised livestock.

"Ento is a project by Aran Dasan, Jacky Chung, Jonathan Fraser and Julene Aguirre-Bielschowsky, who are working together on the Innovation Design Engineering joint Masters course at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. This project is the outcome of the team's motivation to tackle the growing issue of food security in an increasing hungry world. Discovering the environmental and nutritional benefits of insects. It's not [solely] about introducing a new food, but about understanding human perceptions and psychology. Then using the design of  innovative experiences and strategic thinking to drive a cultural change." Check out their video here.

To read more about Ento click here.

Graduating This Year?

It's about that time when your career as a student is coming to an end. You may be wondering what is going to happen next. It's time for you to enter into the real real. There are a few things you need to assess before venturing out.

Know what you what. Figure out what you want to do first. Narrow your options, if you don't you will be wasting a lot of your time. Time is the one precious commodity you can never get back.

Talk, talk, talk. Ask around. Everyone has been in the same position as you after graduation. Most people are willing to help or know of someone that can. Don't be shy, get out there and ask!

Always remember the rule of 3.  When talking to anyone in the industry you are looking to enter, remember to ask for 3 other contacts that you could talk to.

Informational interview. Informational interviews are a great way to learn more about a company you are interested in. It allows you to meet and reach out to employees in the company. If they are impressed with you, when I position opens up you may receive a phone call to come in for an interview for the position!

Revamping an Iconic Brand

The doors to the newly revamped PUMA on Carnaby Street opened on Friday, March 23rd. The PUMA brand embodies an active and healthy lifestyle. With a new active, innovative, and sustainable design to the retail environment. The store offers PUMA's performance lifestyle collections with cutting-edge technology to their customers. PUMA's strategy to revamp their stores to appeal to their customers in key markets (including Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona and New York). Londoners will find some iconic London emblems given a PUMA twist.

The store is about 2,500 sq ft of open retail space showcasing the broad range of PUMA footwear displayed on their "catwalk" of shoes, from the iconic PUMA Suede to the PUMA Speed Cat.

Shopping is meant to be a fun experience. No one wants to have a boring shopping experience. The store has their own unique interactive features. The new PUMA Joypad is 32 synchronized digital touch screens, which allows customers to test their memory and reaction time on regularly updated games. Customers can challenge their friends to get the top score.

The changing rooms have a feature called the PUMA Peepshow. It is a red box that opens with a surprise video inside. "You never know who may be checking you out while you try on some new PUMA gear." Is that a phone ringing? Maybe you should answer it. Who's there? It's the PUMA "UnSmart Phone" and see who is on the other line. They could be calling to speak with you.

The ceiling tends to be the forgotten fifth wall. Not at the PUMA store. Look up and see the various floating images in their digital skylight. You could find yourself relaxing in the clouds or in the midst of a group of hungry sharks!

PUMA is making the shopping experience easier. There are iPads in the store to let their customers purchase products directly from PUMA's European e-commerce website. Now customers do not have to worry about not getting the color or size they want. Shopping directly through the website also lightens the customer's load. They will not be weighed down buy shopping bags. 

The Carnaby Street is a reflection of its surrounding location. From the "Mind the Gap" text on the front of the entrance ramps to the iconic red telephone boxes in the storefront facade. Customers will enjoy being in the midst of all that London has to offer.

"In line with PUMA's mission to become the most desirable and sustainable Sportlifestyle company, the new store, which was first opened in 2002, incorporates several sustainable features. Sustainable innovations include an efficient lighting concept mix resulting in reduced energy consumption, FSC certified wood and certified floor finishes guaranteeing the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources, and low-emission paint and adhesives. The structure of the existing walls [have] been left [untouched], reducing the amount of building material [waste]. These measures support PUMA's sustainability targets for 2015 and help protect our planet."