I'm not an Optimist, Pessimist or a Realist...

Two weeks today I moved to New York City. So basically it's safe to say that my life has been nicely flipped upside down these past few weeks...and to be honest the move itself has not been the half of it. It's because of all these changes I've been asking myself lately, "What am I?" (I mean, every beauty pageant queen and business development professional alike knows that your 10 second elevator pitch is critical because you never get to make a second 'first impression'. :)


I have always liked to view myself as an eternal optimist but there are always thing that happens which provides a strong dose of realism. I've never really been a pessimist per say, but sometimes those hard moments have made the question sincerity, intentions and motives. But I honestly feel like I have learned more in these past four weeks about myself than I have in quite some time. And because of that I think it's pretty clear that I am above all else an opportunist. Here's why...


The older I get, the easier bigger decisions are for me to make. 


Moving to New York was an easy decision for me. That is intended to be no disrespect to my Atlanta office, my friends and colleagues in Atlanta or the city for that matter. (Which I don't think anyone will considering no one was surprised...to my surprise....that I was going :) I love Atlanta and I always will. It just was not rich with the kind of opportunities that were right for me. And rather than continuing to operate under those limitations I decided to take charge and do something about it.


When you least expect it good things will come to you...
you just have to be ready to work hard to hold onto them. 


I am lucky enough to be working on a project that to be perfectly candid, could have waited a lifetime for someplace else. I also have realized as soon as you say I am going to focus on 'x' something else comes out of nowhere that you simply can not ignore. And that to me is the true test of someones abilities, priorities and strengths. It's how you handle when things don't go as planned that is a true test of someones character.


So with all that being said, I would encourage a little self reflection from time to time as you transition and change whether it be from semester to semester, school or work or job to job.  But don't think too much...you might miss a very important opportunity! :)

Resume Round Up! 10 Tips You Have NOT Heard Yet!

With the IIDA Georgia Student Portfolio Reviews in Atlanta & Savannah this weekend, I wanted take a break from tracking trends and offer some advice for all those working on landing their dream internships and summer jobs this year!

Below are ten things that any student or young professional should consider when preparing their packages for potential employers. But remember, nothing beats a good professional critique! If you’re in Atlanta and Savannah this weekend be sure to check out the IIDA Georgia Student Portfolio Review! I will be in Atlanta at SCAD reviewing and offering advice and sharing my experiences as a young professional along with other professionals.

1. Did you know resumes are often the VERY FIRST impression?! At a large firm it’s common practice to look a resume TO DECIDE whether or not to look at your portfolio. Food for thought!

2.  Black & white versus color. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful palettes on resumes however, they are rarely (if ever) printed in color when they are printed and reviewed. Be aware of this because low contrasting colors or copy in a light gray does not translate well.

3. Include an objective ONLY if it is unique. I’m personally, not a huge of objectives, especially for students and recent graduates. Typically, everyone says the same thing and no one has a unique professional perspective to share yet in a sentence or two. I would recommend saving that for your cover letter and utilizing your precious real estate on a resume for your extracurricular.

4. Don’t force it. “It” is referring to a layout. If you have a square portfolio, don’t feel obligated to make your resume square. Use type, color and layout to create an entire package and don’t get caught up on things that just make your life difficult.

5. Create hierarchy. You’re name and contact information should be clear and legible on the page. If you are a student include your permanent and temporary addresses. For another important note about addresses check out my post Cover Letters for Go Getters #3!

6. Extracurricular are no longer “extra”. I’m going to be honest, I would personally hire someone who has great work with leadership experience than someone with amazing work and was never involved in their school or community. The fact you have studio is a b.s. excuse.

7. CAUTION! High risk of over design! Your resume is one page (yes, only one page…) so things can get mucked up pretty quick. For typography, good practice is typically selecting either a sans serif typeface for headers paired with a serif typeface for body copy. Or choose a typeface that has a large typography family so you can utilize extra light, light, book and bold to create hierarchy without introducing multiple typefaces. When in doubt remember that simpler is typically better.

8. Don’t include references on you’re resume. Simply put, “Available upon request.” Again, use your valuable real estate for something else!

9. No photos please! Save your comp card for your modeling portfolio. That goes the same for your personal stats. Since you’re not a professional athlete so we need your height, weight and collar sizes.

10. Refrain from using the third person! You’re resume (and cover letter) is YOUR perspective and it’s kind of creepy. Have a voice and show your personality! 

 

Question or comment? Ask below & I would love to answer! And for more career advice check out my IIDA Bootcamp post and other blog archives!

~Amberlee

Please note that none of the advice or suggestions here do not represent the ideas and/or beliefs of Gensler, IIDA, AIGA, USGBC or any other professional organization that I am associated with. It's simply out of good faith to help others. :)

Tangerine Tango Take 3! The Best of the Trend from Etsy!

I am always amazed by the creativity of people on Etsy. This online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods as well as supplies seems to be an online database for DIY creativity that fresh and unique. I can't think of a better place to stock up on the Pantone Color of the Year for 2012!

Below are my top pics for Tangerine Tango on Etsy. Many are upcycled, eco-friendly and sure to make a statement!

If your still wanting more inspiration, check out my Pinterest board all about Tangerine Tango as well my other blog posts about Tangerine Tango for Fashion and the Home.

Enjoy!

~Amberlee

Creative Minds Poster by AmandaCatherineDes

Tangerine Cake Stand by E. Isabella Designs

Knots Cotton Jersey Scarf by EcoShag

Horse Sculpture by Flikbydesign

Hand spun Sock Yarn in Orange & Turquoise by merlinthecat

 Richter I-IX Painting Series by StudioMarlene

Mini Kallisto in Stripe Canvas and Orange Leather by milloo

Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For in 2011!

#10 Being a Brunette
I had a temporary lapse of judgment in the past and become a blonde and I am proud in 2011 to have stayed the way I was intended. :)


#9 Basketball
Basketball has brought so many good things, people and experiences into my life. The trips for the Final Four cheering on my wildcats, watching John Wall with the Wizards and just heading downstairs to the sports bar below my condo are all things irreplaceable!


#8 DanceBlue

Watching DanceBlue grow strong and evolve after six years is tremendous. I'm always and forever FTK!


#7 Savannah College of Art & Design
With only two classes left to wrap up my graduate degree in graphic design, needless to say I am thankful for almost being done!


#6 Steve Jobs & the Apple team
This sounds really silly, but with an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPAD, iPhone and iPod, the quality and connectivity of my life would be very different without these amazing products!


#5 The University of Kentucky

Clearly I bleed blue and apparently it shows! This spring UK came to Gensler and filmed me as part of the SeeBlue campaign. It was a very exciting honor to be profiled as a Kentucky graduate along with people who work at Google and CBS! 

Check it out on my website or UK's! 

#4 Strong Role Models

Some people say that the world needs better role models, I completely disagree and think society just looks in the wrong places. Movie stars, athletes and reality stars are simply a sliver in this world of people you can look up to. I am blessed to work alongside talented professions, have an amazing family and designers/ architects who have set the bar like Diane Von Frustenburg, Paula Schuler and Art Gensler.   

#3 Opportunity

With speaking engagements coming up in 2012, a supportive employer and creative opportunities coming from all over, I couldn't ask to start 2012 any better!

#2 Gensler
Spending the last 4 years at the world's number one design firm has been a honor. I look forward to many more to come! Especially in our new office in Midtown!


#1 My family, friends and Pets

Because my closest friends and pets are family, I could not separate the three. My dog is my shadow and my constant companion. And even though family and friends spread out all over they are never more than a call or text away!

I hope everyone has had a blessed 2011 and I wish everyone an amazing 2012!
~Amberlee

Tangerine Tango Take 2! For Your Home!

In my humble opinion, orange is the perfect accent color for fashion and at home. I searched high and low for the most unique and beautiful tangerine tango products on the market to celebrate the Pantone 2012 Color of the Year. Right now, that red base that makes tangerine tango such a unique shade of orange is a bit hard to find. However in a few months it will be all the rage at mainstream shops like CB2, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

To get a jump start on your interior updating check out my curated selection below. Next post I will share the best tangerine tango products that can be found on Etsy!

But if you can't wait, you can always find more tangerine tango images on my Pinterest board dedicated to this optimistic color!

Enjoy!
~Amberlee

Tangerine Foyer by Kelly Wearstler

Hand-tufted Wool Zebra Rug from Overstock.com

Jonathan Adler Templeton Apartment Sofa

Semikolon Document Boxes from TCS

Lichen Orange, Mushabloom Wallcovering

LaMaison Hermes Collection of Books

Jonathan Adler Design Your Own Monogram Pillow

Anthropologie Fruiteria Base Lamp

Collection of Andy Warhol Posters