Dream Create Inspire

Dear friends,

I will start a project with students from fashion design and fashion illustration Universities all over the world. Why? Because this kind of conversation can be very helpful for dreamers who’d like to enter a University of Fashion Design or Fashion Illustration.

This is the reason that today, I’d love to present you Nicole Jarecz, one of the most optimistic student I’ve ever meet.

I talked with Nicole about her experience at the “College for Creative Studies”, the University were she is studying fashion illustration in Detroit, Michigan. We also talked about how she found her ideal internship, about how she’s creating her portfolio and much more interesting things that you’ll find while reading the interview.

So, be inspired, my friends!

I’m the only child of Michelle and Richard Jarecz. Born in Macomb Twp,
MI on January 7th, 1988. I grew up in Clinton Twp, MI and have lived
in Detroit since I was 18.


What exactly do you do on a daily basis?

I’m finishing up my senior year at the College for Creative Studies in
Detroit, MI. I’ll graduate in May 2010. Every day I’m just working on
my portfolio to make it as strong as it can be!

How it all begin? You must possess great passion for fashion designing.

I’ve always been interested in fashion and looking through magazines.
It was mostly a hobby of mine to look at fashion magazine and all of the
beautiful photography and clothes (since I don’t consider myself very
fashionable at all). After learning the basics about illustration
while attending art school, fashion just became a natural progression of my
illustration work. Now, I couldn’t see myself doing any other form of
illustration.

What inspires you and how do you inspire others?

I’m very inspired by fashion magazines (mainly the ones from Europe),
photography and other artists (even ones who aren’t doing fashion
illustration). I’ve also been very inspired by traveling. It’s opened
my eyes to a lot of things other people my age haven’t been able to
experience yet. I’m very humbled to have traveled as much as I have in
the past three years. I believe it has really changed my illustration
work. As for inspiring others, I’m not sure if I do but if one person
can get something out of looking at my work then that’s inspiration!

Can you describe a little your creation process?

I brainstorm with sketches but mostly I sort through my thoughts in my
head. I love it when an idea just comes to you and you can start the
final piece right away - this is more interesting to me than thinking
for days about a concept. It just feels more natural to be spontaneous
with what I do.

What about your style of drawing?

I don’t really have one particular style of drawing. I tend to experiment a lot with different styles and techniques. I’d like to think that all of my fashion illustrations are very charming, graceful and feminine overall.As you can see through most of my pieces, I tend to stick with the same color palette which is warm earthy colors. Sometimes I change it up depending on my mood with the piece I’m currently working on.


How did you knew that College for Creative Studies is the right University for you?

It was only my senior year of high school that I realized I wanted to go to an art college. As a student I did above average in all of my classes but they were all really boring to me and I couldn’t see choosing a typical career for the rest of my life. There was someone from my college now that came to my high school to present CCS. I had never thought of going to art college before that. I knew I loved to draw but didn’t realize I could make it my career. CCS was a great choice for me. It’s one of the best colleges in America that offer an illustration program. The campus and classes were small which provided for a different atmosphere than a large university. It was also close to where I grew up which was also another good thing for me right out of high school.

How did you prepare for the admission.

I had about five art classes during my senior year of high school. I built up my portfolio during this time for applications in the spring.


How do you describe your experience at the University?

I absolutely love going to CCS. These four years have literally flown by in a flash. The classes in the illustration department are great. They teach you foundations your first two years and then you get more involved your last two years on what you want to do with your personal illustrations. The faculty is great and you get a lot of one on one time with your teachers which really makes a difference. I’ve also made a lot of close friends that I’ll always stay in contact with even after my graduation. Basically, it was an experience I’ll never forget!


During the University, your work have been featured in some magazines?

I’m going to be the featured artist in the January 2010 issue of CHAOS
magazine. Make sure to check it out!

What contributions do you feel illustration offers to you?

For me, illustration is not used nearly enough as photography. I love
photography and think it’s an amazing art form but you can’t compare
the two. I believe that illustration provides a more unique statement.
Because it’s more rare than photography, that makes it even more
special to the viewSome planning, some spontaneity, and lots of
experimentation.

What is the process in creating your portfolio?

When creating your portfolio you have to make sure you already have your own unique process down. Sometimes you will do things that will fit in your portfolio and other times you will do things that just won’t work. It’s a very long process to figure out what pieces will speak for you.

What are the most challenging aspects at the University?

My freshman year at CCS was pretty hard. I remember I didn’t sleep much and wasn’t used to that type of routine. At CCS they like to push you, especially when you are a freshman to make sure you are going to be ready for these types of studies. Now, I still don’t get much sleep but I am more used to it. I love what I am doing, so I can’t complain too much for what I got myself into!

What do you like and dislike there?

I really love the atmosphere of creative people around me. It’s great that it’s a small college so I have more one on one time with my teachers/mentors. CCS has really helped me grow into a professional artist with all of the tools I will need in the real world. The only thing I dislike is being in Detroit. I feel limited and trapped in this city. I feel more alive in bigger cities where people are always out and about. I get a lot of inspiration from Paris and will actually be moving there this summer. Although I will miss certain aspects of CCS when I leave, I’m ready to move on to another exciting chapter in my life!

How has your education benefited your career?

Going to CCS has really helped me out. I was able to learn the basics
of drawing, color, value and composition which has really helped my
illustration work now. I’ve also had the opportunity to do an
internship which has given me the tools to be a professional.

Is illustration the only type of art that you do?

That’s super! How did you get there?

Terrance from Terrance Sullivan actually contacted me this summer for a position on his design team. He found my online portfolio and was impressed so he sent me an email. I met up with him, we talked and I decided to join his team. It was great to be found rather than trying to find an internship!

It was hard to find an internship program?

I had been looking for an internship for a long time before this. I really wanted to work in a fashion design studio. (Despite the fact that I didn’t have much of a fashion design portfolio and my concentration was illustration.) There aren’t many good studios in Michigan and I don’t think my portfolio was quite ready to be looking for an internship in New York or Paris. Hopefully after this internship at Terrance Sullivan, my portfolio will be ready for other places!

What projects are you currently involved in?

Right now I’m just trying to build up my portfolio. I’d love to join
an agency in the near future. I’m also working on designing the spring
collection at Terrance Sullivan.

What advice would you share with someone who is just entering the world
of fashion illustration, and is trying to create a work of his own?

Find your own voice. Don’t try and copy other people. Experiment,Experiment, Experiment!

What advice would you share with someone who wants to enter a
university?

Make sure you go to the campus yourself and check it out. Ask students or alumni what their experience has been with the University.

~ Thank you a lot, Nicole for this extraordinary conversation ~

All images are Copyright Nicole Jarecz.