FIDM Magazine

Merchandise Marketing Month: Interview With Dept. Chair Marlene Morbit-Dunn

October, you might remember, was Interior Design Month.

But now it's January, and we've got an interview with Marlene Morbitt-Dunn, Chair of the Merchandise Marketing Department. Merchandise Marketing is the FIDM Major that focuses on the buying and selling of wholesale and retail goods.

Marlene Morbitt-Dunn brings her own retail experience to the table. We tracked her down and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

Bachelors In Business Management: Meet Successful Businesswoman and Soon-To-Be-Grad Patricia Rue

Patricia Rue is a FIDM returnee!

She orginally got her A.A. degree at FIDM over 30 years ago, and recently returned to the college where she got her start to take advantage of FIDM's new Bachelor of Science Degree Program to enhance the fabulous career she's built up since graduating from FIDM.

Read on to hear what Patricia has to say about her career and why she came back to her alma mater, FIDM.

Eco-Friendly Grads Help Make Green the New Black

The eco-friendly Green Movement is in full swing and FIDM Alumni are doing their part to contribute to the health of our planet. In June, Interior Design and International Manufacturing & Product Development Grad James Saavedra, who was a designer on the second season of TLC's Clean Sweep and writes the Décor Fellow blog, and his partner Kelly LaPlante launched JAK a new Art Deco- and Hollywood Regency-inspired handcrafted furnishings line with an environmentally sustainable twist.

"Our motivation is that when we took a look at the existing green furniture available to designers we recognized there was something missing," says James. "I believe it is imperative, now more than ever, for us to take a good hard look at our habits and how they are effecting the world in which we live."

One of the first FIDM Graduates to work in the green industry, Alison K. Pollack, started Earth Friendly Interior Design the same year she graduated, with a goal of creating a healthier environment by using alternative materials. (Pictured at right, one of Alison Pollack's interiors.)

“For the first time there is a connection being made between planet sustainability, health issues with chemical overload, and climate change,” says Alison, who also designs Suite Baby, an organic nursery line. “The amazing sense of gratification that the contribution I made, no matter how great or small, preserves something greater than myself.”

Other FIDM Alumni are also making waves in the movement. Fashion Design Grad Karen Kananen founded Raw Earth & Wild Sky, a sustainable style company that features handmade clothing. Based in L.A., the eco-friendly label uses 100% organic cotton and low impact dyes.

Fellow Fashion Design Alumni and friends Rebecca Eliason and Debra Weaver launched Re-Dewin, a line of recycled vintage clothing, this year. (Pictured at left, a vintage look from Re-Dewin.) And this year, Product Development Graduate Tika Shenghur ‘04 launched Teek Design Studios, a line of creative and contemporary green stationery.

FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads' Shoe Featured in December Vogue Magazine

Success!

The model in the photo at left is wearing a pair of sandals designed by FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave from their Omelle (ähm' elle) line. 

Here's a snippit from their site:

"Amidst illustrations, scrap fabrics and inspiration boards at LA's prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, two shoe-obsessed designers discovered a common interest—luxury footwear with a distinct and imaginative voice."

Sounds like they'll have some interesting things to say in that voice! --Belissa

Mark Griffin, Scholarship Winner, First-Year FIDM Interior Design Student and "Chairing Styles" Participant

Interior Design Month continues as we interview student Mark Griffin, winner of the Interior Design prize in the FIDM National Scholarship Competition. Though only a first-year FIDM Interior Design Student, Mark is a participant in FIDM's "Chairing Styles" Program. He also works full-time and has a family. Talk about talent and focus! --Belissa

How did you come to enroll in FIDM?
I knew I wanted a career in some form of design. I frequently visited the FIDM website and the the FIDM National Scholarship Competition caught my eye. It was just about 5 days before the deadline to submit an entry when I had the project information emailed to me. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying so I put my creative juices to work. I had the project overnighted to arrive exactly on the due date.

To my surprise, two months later I received a call from my Admissions Advisor saying the competition judges were very impressed with my work, but I could not win until I had been accepted to the school.

It was a fast-paced race to get me through the grammar and math exams, get a hold of my high school transcripts, not to mention schedule an interview with the Director of Admissions.

The race was worth it! I was awarded the scholarship and was now enrolled in FIDM.

What drew you to FIDM?
I chose to apply to FIDM based on its reputation in the industry. My first step towards a risky career change was to start with the right education. I toured the school and was impressed with what I saw. Now it was a matter of, ”What am I doing?” Can I make it in college after being out of school for 22 years? I figured if FIDM had enough confidence in my work to award me one full year's tuition then I should do the same, so I dove right in!

What do you plan to do with your FIDM Interior Design degree?
When entering FIDM, I had my mind set on working my way into Set Design.

At this point, I am exploring all that the ID industry has to offer and keeping my options open. I feel that things are falling in place and my destiny with this will find me.

What is your dream job?
My dream job would be to work on a production team for a major motion picture or television series. I have had some experience in the entertainment industry and that is where my heart lies. 

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration for design in everything around me: In color, in pattern, in emotion. As for my inspiration to move forward or to go for my goals, I find that in my wife and kids.

Anything else you'd like to tell aspiring FIDM ID Students? It is never too late! you can go after your new dreams and reach new goals.

When looking at the very heavy work load that is involved with the FIDM Interior Design Program, don’t get overwhelmed. You can make it work.

Just look at me and all that I juggle. Even with all I have on my plate I have managed to maintain straight A’s for my first three quarters. If I can do it, then so can you!

How did you get involved in"Chairing Styles"?
I have always had an interest in furniture design.

When the opportunity came up to apply for “Chairing Styles” I jumped at it. Although I technically was too new to FIDM to be a candidate, I thought I would give the application process a shot. I was only in my second quarter and did not have all that was requested for the portfolio.

I gave them what I had and walked into the interview ready for the battle. I did my best to assure then I could face the challenge. I was so happy when I was picked!

What type of project are you working on for "Chairing Styles"?

"Chairing Styles" is a program and competition that is made up of a small collaborating group of Interior Design, Textile, and Fashion Design students. We are grouped into teams of three with one from each division. Our goal is to use the fabric designed by the Textile Student to create an inspired design for a chair and a dress.

As an ID student we go through the process of learning how to design a chair. We are then paired up
with furniture manufacturers who volunteer their time and materials to mentor us and take us through the manufacturing process.

This is an ongoing relationship that stretches through Summer and into early Spring, when the FIDM DEBUT takes place.

At the completion of this manufacturing process we are judged on our design and use of fabric. If you are the fortunate First Place Winner, you are awarded $8,000!

But we are all winners to have had this opportunity to gain the much-needed skills, not to mention how
the “Chairing Styles” Project looks on our resumes and in our portfolios.

(Mark's rendering of his "Chairing Styles" chair is above.)

Anything else you'd like to add?
I am very proud to have the opportunity to be a part of "Chairing Styles. I have great admiration and respect for my fellow students. It is a diverse group who have been nothing if not supportive of each other. I look forward to carrying my experience and these relationships with me into my future career!

Apartment Therapy Blogs About FIDM's Design Studio

Popular design blog "Apartment Therapy" features a look at the interior of FIDM's Design Studio on our Los Angeles Campus. The spaces in the Design Studio were created by award-winning architect Clive Wilkinson who also designed the new FIDM San Diego Campus and the Orange County Campus. --Kim

Meet FIDM Interior Design Program Chair Dina Morgan: Part II

In a continuing celebration of FIDM's Interior Design Program, today we're posting Part II of an interview with Interior Design Department Chair Dina Morgan, who is herself a working professional Interior Designer as well as an instructor in the department.

Dina is also a Graduate of FIDM's Interior Design Program, so she knows the program from all sides.

Ever-busy and in constant demand, Dina was kind enough to make time for us to connect with her about FIDM and Interior Design.

Why FIDM for Interior Design?
We are located among the most geographically-rich design communities. The arts abound! Students have the opportunity to be immersed in the arts--specifically for their majors or to use the arts as jumping-off points for inspiration. 

Architecture and interiors play heavily in the day-to-day life of the communities in which we interface. 

Design centers are in easy proximity to each campus. The West Coast rivals the East Coast as a launching pad for hot new cutting-edge design.

We are very serious about educating our students to meet the expectations of the industry. Our goal is to provide a strong technical foundation, training students in what it means to be a Designer, not just an Interior Designer and to deal with skill sets appropriate to an Interior Designer's job description.

What makes FIDM's Interior Design Program so special?

We have the opportunity as a close-knit college to collaborate with other disciplines. Our "Chairing Styles" project is an innovative approach to having three majors "talk" to each other:

Textiles, Fashion Design, and Interior Design collaborate to produce a one-of-a-kind upholstered chair with a matching outfit out of the same fabric. Students have the opportunity to work together and
quickly realize that each discipline shares common elements.

 

 

 

What are some projects the FIDM Interior Design Students have participated in outside the classroom?

FIDM's Interior Design department has participated for the last two years in "Tables of Ten," a dining event tied into the "Avenues of Art and Design" in June. Our "Chairing Styles" students have had the opportunity to design the table top through the designs they have created for their chairs.

At FIDM, we interface within the community. The project we are working on with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice has given the Interior Design students a greater understanding of how design affects children and adults within a group environment.

What do FIDM Interior Design Students get out of participating in outside community projects?

 

Working with clients and presenting design concepts to individuals who will be functioning within the space is the type of experience most students do not get to have, but they get it here at FIDM. 

At FIDM, we try to provide situations for exposure within the classroom with mentoring by industry professionals dealing with these situations as part of their daily design practice.

 

The Roosevelt Lofts project provided a more independent opportunity for students within the Advanced Study Program in Interior Design.

FIDM's Interior Design department participates in special projects that will benefit the community. 

 

 

What are some of the other projects FIDM Interior Design Students have contributed to?

 

Within the past few years, we have completed the design and the specification of materials for the Main Reception area, ICU Waiting area, and the Emergency Room Waiting area at The San Gabriel Community Hospital.

We have completed the design and specification of the Art Room at The Boys and Girls Club of Venice, and we are starting another project with them in the upcoming Fall 2008 Quarter. We will also be working

 

with an Oncology Center in Beverly Hills.

What is FIDM's goal in having students participate in outside projects?

Our goal with these projects is to provide exposure for the student to areas of specialization, i.e. health care and community-based spaces. It also creates a working environment comparable to the experience they would encounter within the industry as a professional, but with the ability to work as a team and be mentored by an instructor.

Stay tuned for Parts III and IV of Dina's interview! --Belissa

 

 

Padma Lakshmi Wears Monique Lhuillier to Emmy's

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi dazzled the crowd in a silk chiffon gown by FIDM Grad Monique Lhuillier at last night's Emmy® ceremony. --Kim

An Inside Look at FIDM’s Career Connections 2008

FIDM's 16th Annual Career Connections, an event which brings together successful FIDM Alumni with current FIDM Students for networking and knowledge-sharing, took place last week on the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County campuses. Over 140 FIDM Graduates participated, along with over 1,000 FIDM Students.

Each year some of FIDM's most illustrious Alumni return to the college to share their experience in the industry with current students. From left, Nick Verreos (Project Runway Season 2 Finalist and FIDM Instructor), Raymundo Baltazar (Project Runway Season 2 Finalist and successful Stylist), red carpet designer Kevan Hall, and current Project Runway Finalist Kelli Martin all spent the morning talking to students on the Los Angeles campus.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say about FIDM & Career Connections:

"What I loved about FIDM is that every one of my instructors was in the Beauty Industry. FIDM supports you not only in your education but afterwards, in your career," said Viri Flores, Assistant Manager at a major beauty emporium.

Raymundo Baltazar, who has worked with Ed Hardy, Justin Timberlake's William Rast clothing, and Antiq Denim, had a lot to say, and the crowd around his table was three people thick. "If you don't know fit and you don't know patterns, you're not a designer! Specialize in something and know the basics."

Raymundo continued, "FIDM is one of the best-known fashion colleges in the world. They have the best connections. It's very expensive, but what you get in return is priceless!"

"FIDM gave me a really great start," said Assistant Costume Designer Suzy Magnin, "and a lot of contacts. I got my first job, on Gilmore Girls, through my connections at FIDM." Since then she's worked on Cold Case, CSI, and So You Think You Can Dance, among others.

Emmy Award winning Costumer for Six Feet Under, Jill Ohanneson, told us, "Whenever I need an intern or a Production Assistant, I call FIDM!"

Reactions from the students were just as positive. "Inspirational!" "Very well organized, very well worth it!" and "Inspired me to do more than what is expected," were some of the attendees' remarks afterwards.

So went FIDM's 16th such successful event. Students walked away with not only valuable information on the realities of the industries they hope to enter, but in some cases they gleaned contacts for internships and jobs, with the Alumni benefiting from the event as well.

For more on Career Connections, visit FIDM.edu.

Head to Nick Verreos’s blog for his take on the event.

Scholarships From Cotton, Inc. For FIDM Students Only!

Be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime scholarship opportunity!

We are excited to announce that Cotton Incorporated has awarded us $30,000 in scholarship donations to give to a handful of dedicated, innovative, and eager-to-learn students!

FIDM has been given the challenge of picking a select number of students to participate in one of two programs in which the students will be required to think outside of the box, while creating, developing, and producing their own designs.

At the end of both projects, a total of FOUR $5,000 scholarships and ONE $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winners!

These projects are open to ALL MAJORS!

The project start date will be August 1, 2008 and will run until December 10th, 2008.

You can pick up the application in Room 201E or in Room 201, Desk #5.

All applications are due NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 28TH, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Starling at 213.624.1200 x3016 or astarling@fidm.edu.