Category Archives: Art Major

Building Your Portfolio In The Summer

Hello TIGERS,

The heat waves are striking once again this summer and sometimes it is not so easy to roam around the streets of NYC. However, your time at home doesn’t have to be a waste, so if you have any spare hours you can use them to continue building your portfolio!

It is not easy, at least for me, to be on top of all semester projects and at the same time updating my fashion website. So, I take time in the summer to refresh my website and add all the recently completed projects. Like this, I can give my undivided attention to details when it comes to designing a well-rounded website. With this comes along, photo shoots, yes. Since I am in the Fashion Design major, my projects consist of designing and sewing garments. A lot of times we get handed projects back to back and don’t have enough time to do a more professional photo shoot of the final outcome. So, during the summer, I use this time to get the shots I need.

I also take some time to dig into research. Research for new collections, designs, and even history research. You can never learn too much, and the more you know the easier it gets when it comes to starting projects, specifically in the fashion field, themes, concepts, ideas all come faster.

You may have your portfolio all set by the time you step into summer, but it is never a bad idea to go back and check that everything is at its best for when you need to show all the amazing projects you have done!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Feel free to comment how you spend your summer time!

Best,

Maria

Roaming For a Day in Rome

Happy Friday Everyone!

The semester is soon to end and so is my stay here in Florence, I’m quite sad!

But before I leave I will share with you my last trips, thoughts, and recommendations for those of you who are planning to study abroad in the FIT in Florence program.

This week I did a day trip to Rome, how exciting right? However, a day isn’t enough!

Spanish steps in Rome

Started the trip with a whole pizza for lunch and soon after made my way to the Roman Baroque style Spanish Steps, with a beautiful church at the top of them overlooking the city. Right after we followed the sound of the cascading water from the famous Trevi Fountain, filled with many tourists throwing their coins for good-luck.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

My next stop was the Pantheon, a great monument to visit, free of charge and a must see! Once inside there is no way to describe the awe when viewing one of the greatest masterpieces in architecture.

I walked and walked around, not having any place in mind, just exploring the city.

Vatican City

My last stop was the Vatican City, a few hour wait in the line to enter the walled city-state, but definitely worth to visit. The home of the Roman Catholic Church and home for the Pope, full of gardens, fountains, and a total of 11 Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. My favorite? The Sistine Chapel, a world known masterpiece, a work that I’ve seen and studied so many times in art history classes. With numerous famous frescoes, and some of the most vivid colors and precious details. It will take you a few minutes to discern the grandiosity of this masterpiece.

Rome, the eternal city, which you will definitely need more than one day to discover all gems it has to offer.

Colosseum

Until next time,

Maria

Studying Art History in the Cradle of the Renaissance

HELLO EVERYONE!

A great decision I made before coming to study in Florence was to plan all my classes and required credits I needed accordingly. I sat down with my counselor and spoke with her on the many possibilities in completing all those requirements. One suggestion that she made was to leave art history classes for when I came to Florence. Best decision I have made!

In my first semester spent here I took HA 112- History of Western Art and Civilization: Renaissance to the Modern Era. This course was geared towards religious, political, economic, and social conditions in relation to art, such as paintings, sculpture and architecture. It was very eye-opening and enriching towards learning about European culture, mostly events that happened in Florence!

The second Art History course, which I am currently taking is HA 212- Renaissance Art in Florence. It mainly focuses on paintings, sculpture, and architecture from the fourteenth to seventeenth century. Most of the course has been guided towards some of the major monuments and anything art related in Florence. It has been wonderful! Almost every week we have visited different sites, from churches to museums to piazzas!

All visits have been mesmerizing, we’ve got to see some of the most famous art pieces by important artists. Some of these include: The Trinity by Masaccio, The Statues of David by Donatello & Verrocchio, and of course, one of the biggest monument, the Duomo and Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral.

There is so much art to explore here in Florence since it holds a great amount of the most important works in the world, better yet, it is the cradle of the Renaissance. I definitely recommend, if you are planning to study abroad here, to go for the option of taking these courses here and see all these majestic works in person.

Arrivederci, Maria

An End and A Beginning

For One Last Time… Hey Everyone,

Two days ago, I officially graduated from FIT. The ceremony could not have taken place on a more perfect day. Now that I have finished college and can look back on my four years, I want to share a few of the most valuable takeaways I have from attending FIT.

Your Hard Work Will Be Rewarding: One of the most important things I built at FIT was my work ethic. With every project I had, I set aside time in order to put 100% of my heart into my work. My work ethic grew stronger and more secure as the years went on. By putting hard work into everything I did, I came out of school with an internship I learned from, a GPA I am proud of, and a portfolio I am excited to work with.

It Is Okay To Make Time For Yourself: Do not forget to make time to relax and enjoy all Manhattan has to offer. There is nothing wrong with slowing down and taking a break from the hours of hard work. Sometimes, breaks from projects give more room for ideas and brainstorming.

Failure Is NOT a Bad Thing: Not every project or assignment is going to go as planned. Now is the time to take chances and make mistakes. It is the time to try new things and learn how to make something better for the next time around. Do not let failure discourage you, but rather inspire you!

Always Be True to Your Passions and Aspirations…and Most Importantly, Yourself: Never lose sight of why you are here or your passions. Be yourself unapologetically and take the time to come into who you really are. Now is the time to learn, grow, and blossom into the truest version of yourself.

It has been an incredible journey here at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I have learned so much and grown immensely; this chapter will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to the next chapter ahead. Best of luck to all you soon-to-be graduates!

Thanks For Reading,
Annmarie X

Final Thoughts: Graduation

Hey All,

I wanted to take a minute to write more of a personal blog. This Thursday I will officially be graduating with a BFA in Illustration from FIT. My journey has been rewarding in ways I cannot describe. I cannot believe the end of my chapter at FIT is around the corner, and a whole new chapter is about to begin.
I have grown so much as an individual at this school, and I am so grateful for the experience. Though filled with much hard work, without FIT, I would not have been able to bring my craft to a level I did not previously imagine possible. Without FIT, I would not have made amazing friendships and been taught by incredible mentors. Without FIT, I would not have been connected to my internship that I have now been working with for almost two years. Without FIT I would not be the independent, go-getting woman that I am today. I owe a lot to this school, a lot to my dedication, and a lot to my aspirations for the future.
I am excited for what the future has to bring, and the challenges that lie ahead for me. FIT has prepared me for the real world, and I am looking forward to taking on this new journey. This week, as I finish my last two classes of college, I look back with fond memories and important lessons.
Congratulations Graduates! Your hard work has paid off, and your new adventure begins now.

Best,
Annmarie X