Faculty profile: Jody Amsden, Architectural Drawing

Jody Amsden received her BFA in Interior Architecture at Cleveland Institute of Art. Jody is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional with a passion for green design, and creative problem-solving. Her clients have included Coco-Cola, Wal-Mart, KeyBank, Wells Fargo and Huntington Bank. She answered a few questions for us about art, design and her Pre-College course.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A STUDENT WHO IS EXCITED – BUT A LITTLE NERVOUS – ABOUT TAKING YOUR PRE-COLLEGE CLASS THIS SUMMER?

This is a fun class where art is celebrated. You will be supported by fellow artists and you will learn a lot in a short period. The smaller classes provide one-on-one attention. I give you the support to build basic skills you can use throughout your career in art.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE?

The process of creating is exciting. Presenting your ideas to a client and eventually seeing the built environment gives you a feeling of pride. The job is never the same, and you get to work on a variety of projects. One day you could be working on a restaurant design and then the next a retail shop or a branding project. And with each new project you meet new people.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS TO BE A REAL ARTIST?

Real artists follow their own heart with compassion; express themselves honestly; aren’t afraid to try new things; and are dedicated to their art and to continue growing.

TELL US ABOUT ONE MOMENT OR EVENT WHEN YOU WERE AWARE OF FEELING REALLY SUCCESSFUL OR HAPPY IN YOUR WORK?

In this line of work you can see your work by visiting the space you designed, be it a restaurant or an office space. I remember one of my favorite projects was a retail establishment. It was an upscale men’s store. I was part of the project from the ground up. My team designed the floor plan. I designed the fixtures and I chose the materials used in the space. I worked with vendors during the installation and today I can visit the space. The client was truly happy with the final design.

WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?

There is never enough time in a day to devote to my craft.

To learn more about Pre-College, including the Architectural Drawing course, click here.