Fame, fortune and research
Whooo, it's been a while, huh?
But it's not for lack of happenings that I've neglected to write. Moreso that life feel kind of tentative right now - like I'm waiting for some uncertain change. A preparatory standstill months before graduation. So I'll summarize the interesting parts of my recent life, in case you feel we've lost touch. Appropriately, nearly every element reflects my internal sentiment of tentativity - decisions and intentions that have yet to materialize.
After much internal and external debate and negotiation, I confirmed with Spring quarter Editor in Chief that I will be Design Chief again. This means five nights a week of deadlines and editors and designers, plus one night a week of free food and a few thousand dollars over the course of the quarter. And opportunity to design stuff, blah, blah, blah.
Inspired by my third listen of a podcasted lecture, I've decided my CHID thesis will explore how differences in academic "habitus" (students’ perception of their educational opportunities) are revealed or reinforced through the visual environment of the school. In my mind, this means photographing the differences in architecture/books/cleanliness/use of space, decor and color in Seattle area shcools, and assesing the connection of the school environment with the student bodies' plans for pursuing higher-ed. It's based on my professor's statement that “Yes - physical infrastructure effects the kinds of opportunities that are or are not available to students.” So we all superficially know that funding = nice schools + college. But I think there's something more vague and deep than that ... like some idea of how the representation of collective identity contributes to social reproduction ... like, opportunity and environment are not parallel consequences of funding, but that environment really contributed to opportunity. How does the classroom contribute to our cultural capital? Are the school colors to crappy schools what amplemanchen were to east berlin - a signifier of a culture, clinged to even when the members of the culture want substantial change? How does the placement of publications and important school rooms - library, gym, admin offices - reinforce the dynamic of a school?
After living somewhat in the arts and entertainment community of Seattle for three+ years, I finally visited The Paramount twice in one weekend. First, to interview for a internship at a design firm. Second to attend the greatest part ever, with fancy dresses and shoes, a $50,000 open bar, over-the-top catering and the launch of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. Honestly, my experience of the magazine could be nothing but downhill after the party ... I mean, come on ... it's just a magazine. But a party!
I was offered the aforementioned internship! So on top of those long nights of Daily designing I will get to spend 15+ hours a week designing for a real agency, with real designers, for free.
Assuming all goes as well as it appears, I've established a nice buffer for summer, giving myself until August to find a real job. What fabulous opportunities did I find to hold me through June and July? Being a conference assistant at a week-long summer program, then a peer advisor for UW's off-site orientations. Even better: off-site is a bland word for California and Hawaii. Whooo, paid for travel to places I wouldn't send myself!
Also, I get to house sit, I still have a fabulous boyfriend and someone inexplicably wants to interview me for a commencement publication. I also would die for some candy right now.
I'll keep you posted on whatever comes of these future events.
But it's not for lack of happenings that I've neglected to write. Moreso that life feel kind of tentative right now - like I'm waiting for some uncertain change. A preparatory standstill months before graduation. So I'll summarize the interesting parts of my recent life, in case you feel we've lost touch. Appropriately, nearly every element reflects my internal sentiment of tentativity - decisions and intentions that have yet to materialize.
After much internal and external debate and negotiation, I confirmed with Spring quarter Editor in Chief that I will be Design Chief again. This means five nights a week of deadlines and editors and designers, plus one night a week of free food and a few thousand dollars over the course of the quarter. And opportunity to design stuff, blah, blah, blah.
Inspired by my third listen of a podcasted lecture, I've decided my CHID thesis will explore how differences in academic "habitus" (students’ perception of their educational opportunities) are revealed or reinforced through the visual environment of the school. In my mind, this means photographing the differences in architecture/books/cleanliness/use of space, decor and color in Seattle area shcools, and assesing the connection of the school environment with the student bodies' plans for pursuing higher-ed. It's based on my professor's statement that “Yes - physical infrastructure effects the kinds of opportunities that are or are not available to students.” So we all superficially know that funding = nice schools + college. But I think there's something more vague and deep than that ... like some idea of how the representation of collective identity contributes to social reproduction ... like, opportunity and environment are not parallel consequences of funding, but that environment really contributed to opportunity. How does the classroom contribute to our cultural capital? Are the school colors to crappy schools what amplemanchen were to east berlin - a signifier of a culture, clinged to even when the members of the culture want substantial change? How does the placement of publications and important school rooms - library, gym, admin offices - reinforce the dynamic of a school?
After living somewhat in the arts and entertainment community of Seattle for three+ years, I finally visited The Paramount twice in one weekend. First, to interview for a internship at a design firm. Second to attend the greatest part ever, with fancy dresses and shoes, a $50,000 open bar, over-the-top catering and the launch of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. Honestly, my experience of the magazine could be nothing but downhill after the party ... I mean, come on ... it's just a magazine. But a party!
I was offered the aforementioned internship! So on top of those long nights of Daily designing I will get to spend 15+ hours a week designing for a real agency, with real designers, for free.
Assuming all goes as well as it appears, I've established a nice buffer for summer, giving myself until August to find a real job. What fabulous opportunities did I find to hold me through June and July? Being a conference assistant at a week-long summer program, then a peer advisor for UW's off-site orientations. Even better: off-site is a bland word for California and Hawaii. Whooo, paid for travel to places I wouldn't send myself!
Also, I get to house sit, I still have a fabulous boyfriend and someone inexplicably wants to interview me for a commencement publication. I also would die for some candy right now.
I'll keep you posted on whatever comes of these future events.