Wednesday 30 December 2009

Please Give me your Input

Melissa Rufty left side cropped close I can’t believe I am approaching my 300th post. That’s 300 sessions on the computer…some longer and more in depth than others. Now that I have that little widget that introduces you to previous posts, I have had a chance to read some. My consensus? My apologies for all of my ramblings! Its funny (and probably best) that my blog has taken a “rendering” direction. I didn’t expect this.  I’m an Interior Designer, and that’s what I figure I do best, but drawing and rendering have always been the most exciting part of the design process for me, holding the most potential. It’s bringing your thoughts to paper. We all have a niche; and the realization of this has pointed me in a new exciting direction.

My sons have both recently graduated from film school; one in general film, specializing in boom work (recorded sound) and one in post sound. With the recent addition of a professional quality video camera, I’d like to put them to work creating a series of video podcasts featuring drawing for interior design. I need your input! Any ideas at this point would be so helpful…formatting, content, style…would you pay a small fee? (for each or a bundle)…tell me what you think!!

And thanks for sticking with me for 300 posts! I  count on all of your blogs to keep me up to date with what’s going on in the design world :)

Happy New Year!!

Michelle

interior by MMR/Melissa Rufty, rendered by Michelle Morelan, 2008

25 comments:

Terry said...

I love the renderings, they show more than a picture can. I think of how great rendering can be with lines arrows and descriptions of furniture, colors, styles, fabrics, etc. I admire your ability to put stuff across without words. So I'm ready for your next 200.

I don't think the best design videos have been done. But even now there is too much free stuff to consider paying. So I don't have a good model for you.

What I've enjoyed most is cruising with designer or architect friends. It could be open houses, could be street stalking, it could be a gallery or showroom. They show me what they like, explain why they like it, and we have conversations. The conversational aspect of Skirted Roundtable is a breath of fresh air. Seen "Sister Wendy?" Same sort of thing but with conversation.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Your drawings are incredible and always a joy to see. Congratulations to your sons (and parents), exciting things lie ahead for you all. 200 posts is an incredible feat!

Happy 2010 to you and yours ~ deb

My Notting Hill said...

Michelle - I love your renderings. It's an element that gives your blog a special niche. Yes - I would pay a fee to be able to watch you do your renderings (slowly :) ) so that I could try to learn how to do it. I play around with drawing at home but think seeing someone do it would be really helpful! I hope you go forward with it!! (don't have time to go to a traditional class room)

Tara said...

I am always blown away by your artistic ability. I had contacted you a while ago about a piece of art that you had done with Ucluelet as your inspiration.

As an up-and-coming interior designer (and current Professional Organizer), the aspect of the job that makes me most nervous is the drawing and rendering. I have a business background and never thought I would choose a career in an industry based on visual creativity, and quite honestly it makes me extremely nervous. If the renderings you do are something that can be taught, I would be very excited to attempt to learn. Also, being 20-something may make me your target market for online tutorials.

A suggestion for how to turn it into a business model - read "The Four-Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss.

Michelle said...

Great idea Terry...thanks!

Thanks Deb...it's fun to watch your kids become adults with such amazing skills!

Michelle...thanks so much...I'll make sure I go through the process slowly.

Thanks Tara, I'll be looking for Tim's model...sounds interesting!

My Galveston Cottage said...

I'm not sure what you're asking. Can you share more about what you're thinking? cheers, -susan

Brillante Interiors said...

I am also not sure of what you have in mind: a video (motion, action) with renderings (still)...meaning the process of drawing? We all admire your talent but I am sorry not to be able to give you any input.
Happy, Happy New Year Michelle!

Michelle said...

"...I’d like to put them to work creating a series of video podcasts featuring drawing for interior design. I need your input! Any ideas at this point would be so helpful…formatting, content, style…would you pay a small fee? (for each or a bundle)…tell me what you think!!..."

Unknown said...

I'm definitely in for the podcasts-and I would consider it a privilege to be taught by a true master in the field!
I don't know if it's the nerd waking up in me, but it would be interesting if they could be organised in steps, with a little assignment for the next time-optional, of course!
It would also be nice if there could be a sort of webinar say every ten lessons, where every body could skype in with questions and critique of their work if they wish.
And yes, I would definitely pay a fee for that. I feel like saying it again: it would be a privilege!
Happy, creative New Year Michelle!
Anastassis

Unknown said...

Sounds fantastic! I'd love to see you in action and God knows young designers need to see how to do it right! Rendering is a dying art and it's up to those of us who do it for a living to try to relight the torch for the next generation. Coincidentally my son is in film school right now in San Francisco!

Have a great New Year and I can't wait to see you practicing your art.

Linda Merrill said...

Michelle - congrats on 200 posts - it represents a lot of work! Happy New Year!

Michelle said...

omg...it's been 300 posts!!! How silly of me!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on all your posts!

A video is a great idea. I just got through a drawing class (for interior design) but I would really like to learn more since it only covered the basics. Although a slow tutorial would be great, what about something put to speed quickly so you can see it come together?

Happy New Year!

jvw home said...

I think it's a brilliant idea....I would love to watch a podcast/webinar regarding this...
your drawings are amazing & a gift you've been given. I think it's a beautiful idea to share with fellow decorators and others. ( i agree w/Emily...a SLOW tutorial...some design webinars move a tad too fast & most of us are visual and need that absorption slowly..or at least i do!)
Jackie Von Tobel, you are a master yourself! Love both of yall's art work...you are a gift to the design community.

Happy New Year!!....
Jeanette
jvw home


http:jvwhome.blogspot.com

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I love your renderings - in fact they are what first brought me to your site (I saw one you did for another blogger). And I'd be very interested in the podcasts if I could afford the fee. Would it be a pay per view or pay per password?

pve design said...

I adore your renderings - they exude passion and flair.
Congrats to your sons. As far as the videos- they must have some idea....wish them all the best.
What about a video, of you, a tutorial of sorts?
pve

Anonymous said...

Amazing renderings. As someone who forgot how to draw once she learned CAD, I seriously appreciate your beautiful talent! Congrats on 300 posts. Glad I found your wonderful blog. Excitedly linking to it...

Marija

Barbara said...

I enthusiastically await your posts and always hope they include renderings.I am (sadly)disappointed when you don't include one in each post!Please keep them coming.I would love to see (and pay) for podcasts of your design process.

Renae Moore said...

Michelle,
Well you KNOW how much I love your renderings and am in awe of your talent. I would definitely consider paying for a tutorial as I really would like to learn how to render. I have a wee bit of artistic ability, just need to know how to get started.
Congratulations on 300 posts, quite an accomplishment. AND a hearty congrats to your sons as well...
Blessings...
xo
Renae

Mariss said...

I love your renderings. It is also what brought me to your blog (and kept me here!) recently. That was what I loved doing in Interior Design school as well.

I'd be interested in watching your rendering techniques, especially your more advanced ones. Specifically, how you are great at showing light reflecting on your different surfaces.

I would suggest doing a free tutorial type video for an introductory lesson. Perhaps discuss your materials, preferred art supplies, and the brush / marker strokes you use to do the basics. Then, you can ask viewers to pay a fee for the intermediate or advanced lessons? You can bring them in with your first one...

There is a huge amount of free podcasts, videos and tutorials out there though, as someone mentioned. If you were looking to be much bigger, having a series of free videos may get your name out there even more... Then once you have a larger following, do a fee based follow up series...Either way, I'd be interested and good luck!

Michelle said...

Mariss...I have been thinking along the same lines...thanks!

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

I love your blog and think you are incredibly talented you have no idea how envious I am of your talent! I am 39 and am a returning college student getting my degree in interior design. The class that makes me break out in a cold sweat???? My drawing classes! I'd love to see you do some sort of series broken down, step by step of various rooms. My instructors think all students know how to draw and newsflash most of us don't! I'll be checking back to see what you come up with! Congrats on your postings!

John Kelsey said...

Found your site some time ago and hve been lurking on the sidelines. I have to say that you got me doing the kind of sketching I used to do years ago. Man am I rusty! But the clients don't seem to care... I hope you decide to go forward with your idea of showing/teaching how you render. I can use all the help I can get!

Tobi Fairley said...

Michelle, Like all the others,
I too love your renderings. I would totally pay a fee for the tutorials on rendering. I have been trying to get to a Mike Lin course for a few years and just cannot find the time. I didn't have the greatest rendering teacher in school, so although I am a decent drawer, I could totally use a refresher course. I can't wait for your first video to post!! Congrats on this new venture! xoxo, Tobi

Stephanie said...

When would you begin this series? I am definitely interested in a video tutorial. I took perspective drawing and rendering in design school, but it's been a while since I've hand drawn anything. I've become way too dependent on AutoCAD and Sketchup. Perhaps a series moving from a brush-up on perspective drawing from scratch, then leading up to markers and pencil layering with emphasis on how to light and shadow? I never seemed to "get" how to light and shadow.

Hope that helps!