Nov.-Dec. 2011 - Maryland Institute College of Art

16 INNOVATION
A Week in the Life of a MICA Graduate Student
Lauren Richel Kelly ’06 (graphic design), is a New York-based art director, wedding designer, and crafter. She’s worked for both
Martha Stewart Weddings and kate spade, and while she’s currently designing for Madewell at J.Crew, Kelly has launched Ditto
Paper with her friend and fellow MICA alumna, Gina Dean ’06 (graphic design). Together they offer custom stationery designs.
Kelly decided to pursue MICA’s online Master of Professional Studies in The Business of Art and Design program because she felt the
program’s unique focus would benefit her as a freelance designer, giving her the skills to grow Ditto Paper even as she continues to lead a
busy life. Earlier this year, Kelly gave Juxtapositions a snapshot of a week in her life as student, designer, entrepreneur, wife, and friend.
Monday
5 am – 6 am: Get started on this week’s very rigorous schedule. I am a
very organized person, and I love making “to-do” lists, which ensure I
accomplish all I need to do—and with my schedule, that’s a lot! I begin
the day by watching a pre-recorded lecture covering memos and letters
for Tuesday night’s business writing class.
6 am – 6:40 am: Get ready for work, walk to train station.
6:56 – 8:25 am: Read required texts for Tuesday night’s class while
on Metro-North train to Manhattan and again on the subway. We’re
covering a broad range of business-related writing needs and styles in
this class—today’s assigned textbook reading covers résumés.
8:30 am – 5:30 pm: Another day at work in downtown Manhattan as
in-house graphic designer for the marketing department at J.Crew.
5:30 pm – 7 pm: Continue to read for Tuesday’s class on subway and
while on Metro-North train home.
7 pm – 11 pm: Eat dinner, spend time with my husband, Craig, and our
cat, Marmalade. Check emails after dinner and follow up with clients,
as well as my friend and business partner, Gina Dean, for our freelance
stationery business, Ditto Paper.
Tuesday
5 am – 6 am: I’m an early bird and don’t require a lot of sleep (which is
hereditary). This trait helps, as I’ll spend the early morning continuing to
watch pre-recorded lectures for Tuesday night’s business writing class.
6:56 – 8:25 am: Read required reading for Tuesday night’s class while on
Metro-North train and subway if needed. We have 10 readings assigned
each week for both classes!
8:30 am – 5:30 pm: Another day at work!
5:30 pm – 7 pm: Continue the required reading on the subway and
Metro-North train home.
7 pm – 8 pm: Eat dinner, spend time with Craig and our cat, Marmalade.
8 pm – 9:30 pm: Log onto online conference center for my MPS business
writing class. The MPS curriculum includes designated live lecture times
twice a week, and in tonight’s business writing class, we’re reviewing
some of our required reading from the past week. It’s fun to interact
with my fellow students during our residencies in Baltimore—but the
online nature of the course is what allowed me to be a part of this
program. If it were held on MICA’s campus each week, I wouldn’t be
able to participate.
Wednesday
6 am – 6:40 am: Get ready for work, walk to train station.
6:56 – 8:25 am: Read required reading for Thursday night’s business
management class while on Metro-North train and subway. I’m studying
profit and loss statements today.
8:30 am – 5:30 pm: Another day at work!
5:30 pm – 7 pm: Continue to read for Thursday’s class on the commute
home.
7 pm – 8:30 pm: Eat dinner, spend time with Craig and Marmalade.
8:30 pm – 11 pm: Work on homework assigned in Tuesday’s business
writing class—a press release for my business—due Friday afternoon;
check emails, and follow up with clients and Gina for Ditto Paper.
Thursday
6 am – 6:40 am: Get ready for work, walk to train station.
6:56 am – 8:25 am: Continue required reading for Thursday’s business
management class on Metro-North train and subway if needed. Or, if
finished with class reading, read The New York Times for pleasure.
8:30 am – 5:30 pm: Another day at work!
5:30 pm – 7 pm: Continue to read for tonight’s class on subway and
Metro-North train home.
7 pm – 8 pm: Eat dinner, spend time with Craig and Marmalade.
8 pm – 9:30 pm: Log onto online conference center for my business
management class. Tonight, we’re following a virtual lecture; after a
PowerPoint presentation on creating strategic business plans, we’ll
discuss real-world experiences from our own work lives.
Friday
6 am – 6:40 am: Get ready for work, walk to train station.
6:56 – 8:25 am: My required reading is finished for the week! Today I
decide to re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (for the third
time) during Metro-North train and subway ride.
8:30 am – 1 pm: It’s Friday! We get to leave at 1 pm during the summer
on Fridays. :)
1:43 pm – 2:35 pm: Continue Harry Potter on the commute home.
2:35 pm – 5 pm: Complete my press release for my MPS business writing
class; upload the document to MICA eLearning, a content management