This is the way I see it. If it has been a while since you have been working in an particular expertise on a daily basis and you need to sharpen your skills in that area then what better way to do that then to go straight to the top for some training and to brush up on skills. That is exactly what I have just returned from doing. My efforts to seek out the top lead me all the way to Arkansas and to Tobi Fairley's Design A-Z. Yes, some of my friends seemed confused as to why I was going all the way from North Carolina to Arkansas to freshen up on my design skills but in the end all they were really concerned about was whether I would be back in time the next week to play tennis for the team (priorities ladies). Anyway, I actually found out about Tobi Fairley from her blog and I had such a connection with her work. Check out her work on her website here. She uses color fearlessly and her work is stunning. Stunning enough to make the covers of many national design magazines. After following her blog for a while I came across the training she offered and felt it would be a perfect fit for this color lover at this junction in her career. So off I go on what turned out to be a road trip to Arkansas.
The experience was great. It was an amazing opportunity to meet with a small group of other individuals and professionals who are following their dream and working to create amazing spaces and businesses. The site for our training was the beautiful Capitol Hotel in Arkansas. Tobi's staff was so delightful and Tobi was the ultimate trainer and hostess, generously sharing her wealth of knowledge with us. It was so interesting to hear her insights about the design industry and the future direction it will take for design professionals. I have always been intrigued by creatives and how they work and think. Having this opportunity for up close and personal conversation was very inspiring. I definitely feel she is a forward thinker and will be on the cutting edge of design and the changes she sees coming down the road. She also offers a Designer MBA Camp, Mastermind class, E-Coaching, and a Think Tank. She is a very busy lady.
Tobi Fairley working with small groups at Design A-Z
The event included informational sessions, individual work in small groups, and connecting with others over cocktails. Participants, who all share a passion for design, came from all across the country. It was great to connect with other like minded individuals and hear about their jobs, lives, and plans for the future.
Tobi's staff was so friendly and accommodating .
This experience was not only a great brush up but also yielded new ideas and great information. Through this experience I was challenged to really consider each and every element of my design process and why I would ultimately make the choices I do within a project. It was important to Tobi that we think about and articulate some of our "take aways" from the event. I had more than a few. More like a list. And as I spend time processing all the information I gathered I am adding to that list. For me this was a great investment of time and money and I am so grateful to Tobi for being willing to share and nurture others.
Kravet Fabrics
So, why am I sharing all this with you? Well, I want to encourage all of you to not give up on any of those dreams you may have. Look for any opportunities to exercise them even if they are small and continue to dream. For me at the end of the day I am reminded why I am pursuing this dream and how important it is that I honor and use my gifts. Think about your gifts, what they are and where they might end up taking you. - Marianne