GRAPHIC DESIGN Cindy Phung
At the beginning of the year I had asked if design could be taught online; this led me to question how design would be taught online, only now having gotten through the year can I uncover how design really was taught online. The online year has finally drawn to a close and I wanted to catch up with a handful of students to better understand how it all unfolded. My own fashion courses had to be put on hold, so I wanted to give a platform to the students who were able to continue fashion school through the pandemic.
Below are the interviews of three design students who explain what it’s like to have completed a full year of design online.
Azmina, fourth-year Fashion Design student
What were some struggles you encountered with an online semester?
A: I think the biggest hurdle for me working on my final collection at home was that I wasn’t able to bounce ideas off of people around me, or my teachers. Because crits [critiques used to assess garments and pattern drafts] had to be scheduled in so tightly, our instructors only really had 10 mins to see the garment online and give us feedback. Whereas if you were in the building you could run down the hall for any help while you’re working. But I do feel that by not having that support I am a much more confident designer as I have had to figure out everything on my own and solely rely on my own intuition.
Did you feel more or less creative when you were outside of an academic setting?
A: I feel most inspired and creative when I’m around other people working on cool shit so I definitely felt like I was forcing creativity out of myself at times when I was cooped up at home alone and couldn’t really go anywhere or see anything.
I’ve noticed that burnout is a common theme with fashion school, some students felt that the online semester has intensified burnout even more. Do you find that you’ve experienced more burnout with an online semester than an in-person semester?
A: I definitely feel more burnt out working on my final collection from home because I can’t leave the studio and turn it off. I’m living in it, so I’m constantly thinking about it.
Do you have any experiences specific to your final year that you were not expecting?
A: I know everybody says you’re on your own in fourth year but you REALLY are on your own, there isn’t going to be anyone ok’ing your fabrics, patterns, or designs—it’s entirely up to you.
Teddy, third-year Fashion Design student
What were some struggles you encountered with an online semester?
T: The biggest hurdles I have come across during the online format is finding the motivation to do my work, and to keep my mental state from crumbling with some of these assignments and projects. I found that having been at home now for over a year while doing virtual learning, I have gotten too comfortable and I find it tough to bring myself to do some of the assignments. It starts to feel like it is a chore that I dread doing.
Did you feel more or less creative when you were outside of an academic setting?
T: I believe my creativity has diminished being at home for the last year. The environment really affects my thinking style, and creative juices. Don’t get me wrong, I love living with my family and appreciate all that they do, but it certainly isn’t the same as compared being on campus with my friends and peers. Being at school really adds this layer of motivation when it comes to getting certain assignments done, and I feel like more ideas spring into my mind being in an academic atmosphere.
What are some aspects you liked about online school?
T: While I am not too big on the whole notion of virtual learning, one of the benefits to it is eliminating the whole commuting factor. Back when it was all in-person, one of the most taxing things was having to go home while busy, it eats up a lot of time that could have been used for something more productive.
Another positive thing is how happy my wallet has been in comparison to when I was still going downtown; it was food, food, food, or clothes, clothes, clothes. Self-control with shopping was difficult in an environment like that, and not going out that much certainly helps alleviate some of the temptation of consumption.
Molly, fifth-year Fashion Design student
What were some struggles you encountered with an online semester?
M: The biggest struggle I had with an online semester, specifically with online design courses, is the fact that none of my garments will be seen in person. It’s hard because my classmates and I have spent so much time and money sewing garments with immaculate detail that cannot be appreciated or even seen by just looking at a photograph. In first year, we were sent to the AGO to write about paintings and you would fail if you didn’t accompany your project with a selfie of you being in front of the painting because there are so many details that you need to be in front of the actual piece itself to appreciate and fully understand.
Also, a really frustrating part of working remotely is the time missed with my classmates when we would spend all-nighters in the labs. You feel like you’re less alone when you’re scrambling to get something done but when you’re at home, I find it’s difficult to stay motivated and it’s very isolating especially in your final year when you need that push from your friends the most.
At the beginning of the semester, I would get a few classmates together on Zoom and we would pattern draft together over video call to have some sense of normalcy. It’s really the only thing that kept me from feeling totally alone in the most important year of my university experience.
Did you feel more or less creative when you were outside of an academic setting?
M: I absolutely felt less creative from home just because there’s less stuff to spark my imagination, no friends to bounce ideas off of and I’m looking at the same four walls of my bedroom everyday which also doubles as my studio so that definitely hinders the creative process.
I’ve noticed that burnout is a common theme with fashion school, some students felt that the online semester has intensified burnout even more. Do you find that you’ve experienced more burnout with an online semester than an in-person semester?
M: Thankfully, my professors have been very accommodating and understanding during this time so the usual burnout feeling I would start to get is less intense. I feel like having accommodations also helps because I find it very hard to prioritize my time especially for people like myself that struggle with mental illness.
I’ve been getting a lot more sleep just because the amount of time taken out of my day to commute back and forth from school is significantly cut down and I can put that time toward taking nap breaks or finishing my assignments earlier than usual. That’s something I could never do if I was on campus for 10 hours and had a three hour break in between classes.
Do you have any experiences specific to your final year that you were not expecting?
M: I was not expecting my teachers to be so nice and accommodating. When I first got into the program, we were warned about the severity of our final collection and how scary and stressful it was going to be to face a jury panel etc. And it was scary, but it was online so it wasn’t as nerve-racking and also, if you just speak to your professors they’ll understand, they help you through your problems.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
