Name: Roberta Davis
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Comment:
Hi, Vicente. I am an admirer of your work and an interior design student- starting at the “end” of my business career. I am reading your book “Learning to See” right now and I just wonder, if you didn’t go to school, how did you learn about furniture styles and history?
Vicente Responds:
Roberta, when you’re dyslexic you develop different ways of learning – in my case I had to for pure survival! Most of what I know about design I learnt from trusting my gut, by going to museums and keeping my eyes open and being aware of what is around me. And don’t discount the value in looking at countless design books and reading a lot. You just have to be a sponge.
#1 by Brillante on August 19, 2010 - 6:32 pm
I am also a photographer and the same goes for artists, listen to music, go to museums, travel, read, and knowledge and inspiration will come. I would never pretend to be an Interior designer, but I can certainly be a good Interior decorator. In my business I put all my life visual experience.
#2 by Kelle Dame on August 19, 2010 - 8:42 pm
I love how in your response you said “you just have to be a sponge”. I love design and all things related, so my brain just soaks up all the information I need. Including the wisdom in your books!
#3 by scone on August 19, 2010 - 9:10 pm
The more you study, the harder you work, the more “talented” you become– talent is largely a skill mastered. So you can do a lot on your own. One thing you do get from design classes is a sense of competition, largely due to the charrette format. Sadly, you also learn that good design, taking risks, and working hard is not always fairly rewarded. Being charming, attractive, and well-dressed counts for a lot in this world, especially in the visual arts. Lacking these traits, it can be a little harder to get a foot in the door. So the portfolio really matters. It helps to draw everything, drawing forces you to look closely at the world. And good drawing impresses a lot of people, especially if you can sketch in perspective on the spot.
#4 by Roberta DAvis on August 23, 2010 - 12:06 am
Thanks for the advice! I certainly do feel like a sponge. I just had to return “Learning to See” to the library- am now scheming how to buy all of Vicente’s books on a student’s budget!
Some of them will go on my Christmas list- they provide so much inspiration. Thanks, Vicente, for being so accessible to us through your blog.