This week, Precollege Programs had the opportunity to speak with FIT undergraduate student and Precollege alum, Margaret Sullivan!  Margaret appeared on the cover of one of our Precollege summer postcards.  She was born in Rockland County, NY and grew up in Yorktown Heights in Westchester County since she was a year old.  Margaret is currently studying Jewelry Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and will be receiving her Associates Degree this coming May.  She is planning on obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Accessories Design.

Exhibitions/Awards/Scholarships/Recognition/Experience:

From Middle School and High School I received many honors for my hard work and dedication to school as well as for volunteer work and from my art club in high school.
As for experience, I have gotten a lot from FIT.  Last year, my very first semester, I entered a competition with Carolee Jewelers.  We had four winners: three of which would receive internships for winning the specific categories they had set, and one winner was a people’s choice.  This was where the chosen finalists would go on Facebook and it allowed all of their friends to vote for them. Each of the four winners would then have their pieces made and sold through Carolee and also get a set to keep for themselves! It was an amazing experience to work with a real jewelry design company and be interviewed.  The feedback was also a tremendous help, and the team at Carolee was so kind.  I feel I learned a lot from them.

Course taken in Precollege Programs:

HJD 019: Jewelry Design Studio I

Precollege Programs: Any other memories about you Precollege program experience that you’d like to share?

Margaret: I left that program with many new friends; some in fact are in the college program with me now.  It was nice to know that I had already known some of the people in my classes.  Going from Precollege into the college courses, I found myself more comfortable than just going into it blind because I got a taste of what it would be like and what we would be doing.

Precollege Programs: At what moment did you decide that FIT was your college of choice (if you attend/have attended FIT for college)?

Margaret: After my first Precollege course ended, I knew FIT was the perfect school for me.  I had learned so much and it felt so natural being there that I knew there was no turning back.  FIT was where I belonged.

Precollege Programs: What advantages did you gain from Precollege courses?

Margaret: From the Precollege course, I gained a new knowledge of what jewelry was all about.  I learned the terminology and materials used as well as how to use them.  I walked in on my first day of college classes and had already known some of the steps the professors were teaching us.  I felt ease already knowing I had learned something and now could only continue to improve from what I had already learned.  Nothing was a major surprise.  I felt in control.

Precollege Programs: How is college different than you previously imagined back when you were in high school?

Margaret: They tell you in high school that college is not going to be any easier.  That is very true.  I cannot say I learned this the easy way.  Coming to FIT, the shock of reality sank in quickly.  We were no longer kids in high school. We are now adults and will be treated as such.  I also imagined a lot of work when I came here.  But nothing truly prepares you.  FIT is not easy.  It’s rough, but in a good way.  You may have an all nighter or two, but in the end, it’s for doing something that you love.  FIT is teaching me more about the real world than I could have dreamed.  This school teaches you what the industry is all about, and I thank FIT for it because now I know I can make it when I graduate.

Precollege Programs: Are there any specific learned traits from your days as a Precollege student that really “hit home” with you?  For example, was something said by an instructor that remains with you today?

Margaret: Every professor I have had tells us “This is the Industry”.  This has stuck with me every day since my first day here because sometimes, when I feel I am tired, or stressed I just think to myself: This is what I am here for.  To learn the industry and become a part of it.

Precollege Programs: What advice do you have for Precollege students?

Margaret: Do what you love and don’t let anyone hold you back!  Some of you may be like me, someone who loves to make jewelry but was scared to make a career out if it because I was not sure if I could do it or not.  Once I went into the Precollege programs and learned more about jewelry and designing, I knew this was the job for me.  Also, take as many classes as you can.  Use the Precollege programs as a tool for learning.  If you know you want a career in art but not sure what field, take a few different classes.  See what you like what you don’t like.  You can even see that sometimes these classes can be a great stress reliever!

Precollege Programs: Do you have any work from Precollege?

Margaret: Yes!  I have everything I have ever made from my Precollege classes.  They are reminders to me of how I was before I came to FIT, how I have improved since then and all I have learned since.

Precollege Programs: Do you have any current work that you’d like to share with us?

Margaret: Absolutely, I love to share my work and see people’s reactions!  It’s the reason I wanted to come into this business in the first place: to make others smile with my art.

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PRECOLLEGE ARTWORK:

CURRENT ARTWORK:

The last day of FIT cannot compare to the last day of regular school… I truly feel so sad the last day of every semester here. Some girls in my class were saying today that they feel like a part of their life will be gone after today, and I can completely understand where they are coming from. Although these classes are a lot of work, the accomplishment you feel at the end is fantastic, especially when you put all the effort you could in everything assigned to you. You leave with no regrets. I want to give all of you the biggest virtual hug for reading my posts week after week, and hope that you  enjoyed them and you gained something from each and every one! It is such an amazing opportunity to get to share my experiences every week with you guys, it surpasses any other way to express my thoughts, feelings, or how my day went.

Now, I think you’re curious as to how my last day was. Well, in my Ins and Outs of Fashion Merchandising class we went to the fur manufacturer as I said last week. It is such an interesting place! The two men that run the place explained to us how they are manufacturing furs 8-9 months in advance, they’re working on Fall 2013 right now. They make designs for Michael Kors, Vince, Theory, Helmut Lang, Elizabeth & James and many more! The pieces in there were absolutely gorgeous, I wish I took pictures. Excitingly, they were selling sample scarfs, hats, mittens and a few other things so of course, I had to buy something… I’ll post what I got below, it’s a gorgeous burgundy scarf. By the way, I know this is kind of a controversial topic and by no means am I fully for fur and condone it but I am not completely against it either. After this we went back to the school and went to a holiday party, there was chocolate fondue, a Christmas movie playing, gingerbread houses to make, a photography booth, and a place to make cards for the victims killed in the Connecticut shooting on Friday. All my class had time for was to make the cards, but it was still fun and for a wonderful cause. I don’t even like talking about the shooting, it makes me so upset, I cannot fathom what those people had to go through. Furthermore, we got some free stuff at the end like sunglasses, hats, drawstring bags (who doesn’t love free stuff??).

In Fabric Styling we had one more project to do, so I worked on that the whole time basically. I chose Nylon magazine and created an editorial for it. Since Nylon incorporates pop culture into their magazine I wanted to base my editorial off of The Great Gatsby, which is coming out in May 2013. I picked out an elegant, upscale, European style mansion for my location and went with “pastels in winter” and outwear for my product.

So, guys, we’re at the end of this post, I’m actually overly sad right now… I know I’m dramatic, but all I can say is Thank You!  I encourage every one of you out there to take a class at FIT, even if you think fashion, photography, art, whatever, isn’t “your thing”, try it anyway because you never know! So many students come into these classes worried that they won’t be good as everyone else but that is never  the case because practically everyone feels the same way. Between experiences, knowledge, friends, and so much more, you come out of these classes with a whole mind set changed, whether it’d be from what you want to pursue in life or what you’ll be doing in your spare time now!

Farewell fellow fashionistas!
Have a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Fashionably Yours,
Michaela

Almost-last-day-of-class blues filled the bright magenta room on this rainy Sunday in December. No one could really believe it’s been 10 weeks! Ten weeks of warm up free drawing as soon as you walk in, running back in attempt to not be late from the 15 minute break, and the last time we will all be together.

These past few classes have mostly been focused on getting portfolios together. Since I’m not the quickest worker, this has been slightly difficult for me. My art also tends to be inconsistent depending on the medium I’m using. But hey,the first step is admitting right? The only criticism I have ever heard leave anyone’s lips is, “I wish we had paint and canvas.” I really think this would be a great addition to the class. We normally have only been using magazines, computers, and our sketchbooks. Painting can be a good way to use vary styles and would be really beneficial when put in a portfolio. Although, yes, we do realize it is a graphic design class.

Our assignment for next class was to bring in all the work we have done for the class. This includes about three large sketchbooks (which are required for every class) and digital images things we have created on the Internet. I guess were going to possibly have an exhibition of some sort, which is really exciting. The best part of this class has been to see other people’s different styles and drawing abilities. One thing I’ve learned is if you want to get good at drawing, the best way to learn is by doing it. Might sound obvious, but I’ve learned more recently just by drawing a lot more than I have in many art lessons. Trial and error is your friend even though it’s a pain in the butt sometimes.

Until next (and last) time,
Mai