My name is Aria Shehas and this year I went from a Communications Design major, to Product Design. Coming into Parsons I wanted to make sure I majored in something that would provide job security. I didn’t so much mind because I enjoyed whatever exposure and work I had previously done with graphic design, editorials, and typography in classes. I quickly learned that I preferred working in the shops and with my hands and once I learned more about where product design could take me I was sold. I’m a creator.
I took most of my studios in the second semester however I feel that my body of work evolved rom tough ideas and not knowing how to fabricate those ideas to really pushing myself to make it work no matter what my circumstance. For example, in studio last semester I was able to come up with some great concepts but I felt hindered because I hadn’t taken space and materiality yet. In all fairness I could’ve taken the orientation tot the shops on my own but I never had a need and I lacked the self discipline to do so on my own time. I was able to learn how to use the wood shop and laser cutter through Space but use it in my Studio and Time classes. This semester however I made it a point to go out of my way to get myself acquainted. Themes that had seemed to emerge were based around overall humanity. It seems as if I’ve subconsciously been obsessed with the fact that I’m not perfect or seem it. I wanted to emphasize that there’s something good in those who do produce waste, those who are unbalanced and those who are aware of their humanity. My studio and academic studies are closely linked because I’m a BAFA student so aside from the obvious synergy or discussion and application on both ends of my education, I’ve been able to open up conversations about and with people and see where else I can apply my studies. I was partial to the discussions that the projects and papers presented opened up within the people I’ve spent all semester working with or next to. It was interesting to see the different ways that people would interpret projects and critique days were always my favorites. It was always best when people cared about helping each other create better work and cared. I wish I was exposed to more making techniques. I was exposed to loads but now I’m thirsty.
One of my highlights from the year is a shoe I made in Space. When the project was initially introduced I thought I was going to fail this project for sure. However, when I started to design out the idea and construct it out of real materials instead of just cardboard, I fell in love with the fact that I could make a shoe that I could really wear and showcase out. I made a wooden shoe out of laminated circles that I had to drill press out individually myself because the laser cutter just charred up my 1/4 inch wood. Overall, I created a pretty shoe with a platform, pleather strap and it fits a US size 6 foot comfortably.
