New York is massive. It is gigantic. The sheer amount of people in this city creates an entirely different social dynamic when compared to Michigan. At home, I've found that my social network seemed to be limited in size, but everyone was a lot closer and tightly knit. Here in New York, I get the feeling that it is the complete opposite. The number of people I can meet and know are endless, yet I understand that these circles will never be quite as close as those in I had in Michigan. So, when in Rome, do as the Romans do; take advantage of this new dynamic.
I've done work as a freelance industrial designer and finally met the guy that I've been working for for the last year. It's interesting how the face never does quite match the image created from a voice on the other end of the phone. Anyhow, I have made several important business connections because of him.
I have a meeting with a guy he knows that owns a graphic design firm. I'm hoping this guy will be able to pass me along to another guy who knows someone that needs help. I read somewhere that a person is only four degrees away from a job. Outside of that, he has even more contacts to help me with any business venture I conjure up. Then another guy I met through my roommate is a wholesale distributor... meaning I have access to enough resources to do exactly what I want: get my own product developed, manufactured, and distributed.
I just gotta pull it all together.
Wednesday, November 22
Thursday, November 16
Conversations with a Bum
You see all sorts of bums and beggars in NY. Some of them come on the subway and rap, some are comedians and are hilarious, and some have a boombox and start popping and breakdancing - right there in the subway. The marjority, however, simply ask for spare change on the street.
Today, I had my first full length conversation with a pan handler. This guy was a war vet who served for 20 years, from 1975 to 1995. He'd been blown up, shot at, stabbed, and came out of service with two medals, post traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes. He had no family because his father died in the Vietnam War, his mother died in 1995, and he was an only child. His story was that he needed $4.50 to get a meal so he could take his diabetes medicine. He claimed he didn't do drugs, he can't drink anymore... all he said he needed was food for his medicine. In his hand, he did in fact hold a big Duane Reade (the CVS of NY) bag.
I declined to give him any money, like I always do, but I did offer him a person who would listen. I talked him through his options for making his situation better but I just felt this wave of negativity flowing out of this guy. Most likely he embellishes a lot of his story to play up the sympathy card, and that's the source of his entire problem.
This guy has become a beggar and spends almost every waking moment of his life telling people how bad his life is. When you do that, it becomes your reality. That's all you think and talk about, so that's all you see: dispair.
After he told me about his (brief) life's story, I told him I'd just moved to the city. Then he started telling me how much cheaper it is to live in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Then he rattled on and on about the girls there, his preferences in women, and a number of other things... but by the end of the conversation, he did said he felt better. I got him out of his negative mindset and he started dreaming and hoping for a better day again. I think that's all a person really needs.
Today, I had my first full length conversation with a pan handler. This guy was a war vet who served for 20 years, from 1975 to 1995. He'd been blown up, shot at, stabbed, and came out of service with two medals, post traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes. He had no family because his father died in the Vietnam War, his mother died in 1995, and he was an only child. His story was that he needed $4.50 to get a meal so he could take his diabetes medicine. He claimed he didn't do drugs, he can't drink anymore... all he said he needed was food for his medicine. In his hand, he did in fact hold a big Duane Reade (the CVS of NY) bag.
I declined to give him any money, like I always do, but I did offer him a person who would listen. I talked him through his options for making his situation better but I just felt this wave of negativity flowing out of this guy. Most likely he embellishes a lot of his story to play up the sympathy card, and that's the source of his entire problem.
This guy has become a beggar and spends almost every waking moment of his life telling people how bad his life is. When you do that, it becomes your reality. That's all you think and talk about, so that's all you see: dispair.
After he told me about his (brief) life's story, I told him I'd just moved to the city. Then he started telling me how much cheaper it is to live in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Then he rattled on and on about the girls there, his preferences in women, and a number of other things... but by the end of the conversation, he did said he felt better. I got him out of his negative mindset and he started dreaming and hoping for a better day again. I think that's all a person really needs.
Friday, November 10
The Interview
So I guess lied when I said I had a job already... they ended up shading out on me. I've had 3 interviews and know I didn't get the first two. I had another interview this past Tuesday.. I feel 50/50 on it. It's a high end residential sink manufacturer start up that has a product launch date of May 2007. There is a lot of work to do... everything from getting an actual functional product into the convention at Vegas to creating brochures, designing a trade show display, to designing a new office. Very demanding and work intensive because of all the outside responsibilities.
This company first put up a job posting in August and I've been speaking with them since then... didn't hear anything since September and got an interview request out of no where. This makes me feel good about my chances. But at the same time, I don't know if I thoroughly convinced them that I can do the job. They've interviewed other newly graduates from Pratt and Parsons whom they didn't like. The vast majority of Industrial Design graduates hope to work for a large consultancy.. they don't want to work for a small start up with 2 other people. I'll admit I'm the same way, but I understand that my skills translate better into a small start up environment and will be more useful there.
Anyhow, there is a lot of responsibility that falls onto an industrial designer. In a nutshell, we're responsible for getting a CAD file out to the manufacturer for mass production. The success and failure of the product (therefore, the company) falls on the designer's shoulders. Because of this, I realize many many companies are risk adverse and want somebody experienced. They do not want to take a risk on a newbie like myself, even though I know I'm more than capable.
This risk adversion is derived from the fact that design programs these days do not do a good enough job producing hireable graduates. On top of this, the creative nature of the profession attracts a lot of people... creating a mix of people who are both meant for this job and others who will never be able to pull it all together. I know I was not hireable straight out of school, I'll be the first to admit it. My experience at UMHS and the Flyclip definately prepared me for this next step.
I think one thing that I've failed to convey in my interviews is a blind, unheeded passion and committment to my potential employer. It's something I don't think I ever will get down pat, only because I will never, ever in my life be fully committed to somebody else's company. I have too many entreprenuerial ambitions for that. But I know what needs to be done at my next interview.
I'm too upfront about myself and my character. I'm too honest about who I am... I tell them 100%, rather than tailoring it to the 60-70% that will relate directly to that specific company. Much time in the interview is about learning about the company. They talk about what they do, where the company is going, and what they need done. At that point, the only thing that I need to be telling them are the specific examples in my work experience and portfolio that demonstrates I can fulfill their needs. Because in the end, it's all about creating that connection with the interviewer - not trying to convice them how smart or talented or potential filled I am. This emotional tie will do much more for my odds in getting the job, even if there is somebody more qualified available.
This company first put up a job posting in August and I've been speaking with them since then... didn't hear anything since September and got an interview request out of no where. This makes me feel good about my chances. But at the same time, I don't know if I thoroughly convinced them that I can do the job. They've interviewed other newly graduates from Pratt and Parsons whom they didn't like. The vast majority of Industrial Design graduates hope to work for a large consultancy.. they don't want to work for a small start up with 2 other people. I'll admit I'm the same way, but I understand that my skills translate better into a small start up environment and will be more useful there.
Anyhow, there is a lot of responsibility that falls onto an industrial designer. In a nutshell, we're responsible for getting a CAD file out to the manufacturer for mass production. The success and failure of the product (therefore, the company) falls on the designer's shoulders. Because of this, I realize many many companies are risk adverse and want somebody experienced. They do not want to take a risk on a newbie like myself, even though I know I'm more than capable.
This risk adversion is derived from the fact that design programs these days do not do a good enough job producing hireable graduates. On top of this, the creative nature of the profession attracts a lot of people... creating a mix of people who are both meant for this job and others who will never be able to pull it all together. I know I was not hireable straight out of school, I'll be the first to admit it. My experience at UMHS and the Flyclip definately prepared me for this next step.
I think one thing that I've failed to convey in my interviews is a blind, unheeded passion and committment to my potential employer. It's something I don't think I ever will get down pat, only because I will never, ever in my life be fully committed to somebody else's company. I have too many entreprenuerial ambitions for that. But I know what needs to be done at my next interview.
I'm too upfront about myself and my character. I'm too honest about who I am... I tell them 100%, rather than tailoring it to the 60-70% that will relate directly to that specific company. Much time in the interview is about learning about the company. They talk about what they do, where the company is going, and what they need done. At that point, the only thing that I need to be telling them are the specific examples in my work experience and portfolio that demonstrates I can fulfill their needs. Because in the end, it's all about creating that connection with the interviewer - not trying to convice them how smart or talented or potential filled I am. This emotional tie will do much more for my odds in getting the job, even if there is somebody more qualified available.
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