Year 2 at Design + Entrepreneurship!
2021 - 2022
Now, I am a senior. Time flies! Our class only has 4 people this year as well, which is different from last year's 6 students. Even though we have less people, I know this year will be just as fun if not more. I am going to make this year at South Tech count since it's my last one. I didn't think about my D+E projects much during the summer, but I continued with my passions of scootering, video creation, YouTube, and traveling.
|
|
Post #1 - September 1st
Introduction
This year, we are getting right into the swing of things. We are starting off with continuing our unique, custom shelving project from last year, as well as learning how to use the plasma cutter and continuing our business projects.
Shelving Project
To continue from last year, we started by recapping our thoughts about the shelving project last year. This is our idea board from then, where we found "precedents", or pre-existing ideas, to generate our our concepts from. We did this in order to figure out what exactly we want in our shelving project as well as the over all look and feel that we are going for. We labeled as many themes and concepts as we could. Things like: modular, linear, gathering space, seating, room division, and room in a room. These are all aspects that we notice and may want to incorporate into our shelving unit
We continued our creative process this year, after 3 months of not working on it. However, we decided to take a different approach to the project. Mr. Mitchell proposed that we start with why we are creating this thing, instead of what it is we are creating. Anyone can create a shelving unit any day, but not everyone can have a purpose and over all goal for said unit. We took a step back from the shelf itself, and discovered what it is we want this project to achieve for not only this class, but the coming year of the course. Mitchell called it our "Meta Goal". After a long discussion about what it is we want to achieve, or why we are building this shelf, we came up with a few points.
The "Meta Goal" is to create a gallery unit that is a culmination of the work and purpose of our class. It will show design processes, finished projects, and can also hold certain items needed to create in general. It acts as a physical representation of our class. It will also be extremely modular and portable so that it can be used for years to come and always have a use and a place. |
We then used our classroom model (built last year) to demonstrate a few ideas for our project. We used Legos to show how the unit(s) would be modular and have multiple functions and sizes. Each student came up with their own ideas as well as Mr. Mitchell. This was a very fun yet crucial activity in order to see the concepts we are going for. It also made it much easier to communicate our ideas to one another using a physical representation in a scale model.
|
Plasma Cutter
The plasma cutter is a fundamental and irreplaceable piece of equipment that we have in our shop. It uses air pressure and electricity to cut through different types of metal. It has a 4x4 foot bed and plenty of safety features, like a yellow curtain that protects our eyes.
We started off learning how to use the "Torch Mate" software. This is where we design our metal cutting projects and learn how to use the slightly dated software. It is like Auto Cad, but worse. I decided to go with a camera, of course. However, when I imported the camera picture into the software to then be turned into a graphic, I realized I wanted to take it a step further. So, I tried my very best to model my own camera setup I use to make YouTube videos. I added a tripod and a microphone. Not all of it is to school, but it's the thought that counts. Each student was able to run their own projects on the machine and learn how to use the machine. The software provides a way to check precise measurements and distances in order to operate the plasma cutter correctly. We ran through all of the steps and now each student knows how to drive the robotic plasma barrel, check for hazards, choose the correct settings, and run a project succesfully. It ended up turning out better than I thought, as I knew that the small cuts and small letters would make it difficult for the machine to provide high detail. After that, I grinded it down with the pneumatic sander and it was all shiny on one side and gun-metal grey on the other side. I'm going to hang it up in my room. Besides the 3D printer, the plasma cutter is probably my most favorite tool that we have in the shop. |
Business Projects
Last year, I spent a lot of my time thinking about and planning my business passion. This business is a skatepark. We will be continuing this project but in more depth than we went last year. I am super excited to work on this as it is one of my passions.
As a class, we discussed our business ideas to recap what we did last year. Most people are keeping their business ideas the same, but mine is going to change a bit. A skatepark is pretty ambitious. Not that it can't be done, but I think if I started a little bit smaller with a slightly easier business model to conduct, it might go smoother in the real world. I'm imagining needing millions of dollars for materials to build state-of-the-art ramps as well as an extremely large, high ceiling ware house. These are two things that will be extremely hard to obtain right off the bat. So I decided that I will start with a scootering parts/apparel/equipment shop that will serve as a certain city's hub for the growing action sport. Ideally it will be near a nice skatepark and be big enough to do service, sell numerous brands of scooters, and also house not only well-known apparel brands, but startup apparel and lifestyle brands. I will also include safety equipment, tools, drinks and snack, and ramps you can buy. I have not thought out this business too much, but I believe that starting with a shop will greatly increase my chances of having a successful skatepark since I will have a starting source of revenue and I will have likely made a name for the shop in the action sports community which will make the skatepark easier to promote. We have not spent too much time on our businesses yet this year, in the coming weeks we will start to get into them much more. |
Outro
This year already seems like it will be a great time and possibly better than last year. I am so glad that I found a course I am interested in and also touches on so many different topics. It's not just entrepreneurship. It's not just shop skills. It's not just marketing or business skills. It's everything in one.
Post #2 - September 21st
Introduction
After a few weeks of the class, we are used to our daily routines and working on a few different things. We are working on our personal business projects, a personal goal in the shop, and learning how to use AutoCad.
Welding
My personal goal in the shop was to become better with each of the 3 joint types. I was successful with this goal. I learned the T-joint, lap joint, and butt joint. These are the 3 basic joints that we would use in the shop. So far I am the only student in the class that knows how to weld and I hope my fellow students learn soon as it is not only fun, but also very useful.
Personal Business
I have, yet again, shifted my business focus. I want to pursue a clothing brand. I don't have much information one what I want it to be yet, what the purpose will be, what the differentiating factors or unique preposition will be, or really anything. One thing I do know, at least for now, is I want it to be called Corrupt Clothing.
AutoCad
AutoCAD is fundamentally and severely important in the design world. Along with Rhino, Inventor, and the Adobe creative suite, it is in a group of the most used software in numerous fields. I do not have any pictures of AutoCad.
Post #3 - October 12th
Introduction
Now, we are well off into the year. We have been in session for almost 2 months and we have many projects going on. Some of the main things we have been focusing on in the last two weeks is our NFTE curriculum, our AutoCad drafting project, extra credit events, the Own-It Summit, and our preparedness for post-high school life. I am feelings very good about where I am at in the class, but more importantly, where I am in my life path. I have many skills and ideas that will benefit me throughout my life, many of them I have learned here at tech.
|
NFTE Curriculum
Our NFTE Curriculum (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) has been our guideline for the class this year and last year. It helps us learn about the different aspects of entrepreneurship and business in general. We have learned about things like opportunity recognition, marketing, critical thinking, differentiating factors, unique values, and more. But currently, we are focusing on advertising and promotions, or how we would sell our product. We have done several different worksheets and activities to aid in the learning process. One worksheet we did was a marketing plan with a budget. We were supposed to come up with a low budget and high budget plan for marketing South Tech. Pictured here (I could only fit in some of the marketing ideas):
AutoCad
As stated in my previous blog post, we have began working in AutoCad drafting software to get a feel for modeling a physical object on the computer. We began modeling a tool that we got to choose, using precise measurements from the Dial Caliper (a precise measuring tool). The dial caliper measures down to the thousandth of an inch. I chose a combination square for my tool to model.
Extra Credit Event - _____
Own-It Summit
Last week, we participated in the NFTE Own-It Summit. There was about 200 participants, most being current NFTE students, some being teachers and others are entrepreneurs that have launched a business. We were sent into breakout rooms and we heard all about a few different entrepreneur's businesses and had time to ask questions and network with these individuals. It was a very interesting and eye-opening experience that I would love to do again. One thing I remember one of the entrepreneur's say is: "Just do it, go for it. Don't over think it, just do it. Of course, make rational decisions, but just go for it."
Post High School Life
When I started at South Tech, I felt like I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do after high school. Not necessarily lost, because I had things I was interested in and I had many skills, but I didn't have a specific thing I was interested in doing for the rest of my life. I knew in the back of my mind that I could take it slow in order to truly find a career I love. I didn't want to rush it like everyone else. Finding Design and Entrepreneurship was a great thing for me, as we cover a variety of different topics around businesses and creations, two things I like. After being in here for almost a year and a half, I am finally starting to figure out where I want to see myself in 6 months to a year. I don't have everything mapped out, but I'm getting there. I decided to do dual-enrollment for semester #2 of this year. That means I will continue attending South Tech, but I will no longer attend Oakville. Instead, I will take at least 2 community college classes that I am interested in (one of them being P.E. since I still need one of those credits to graduate). I believe this is a great decision for me as I get to experience a few college classes to see what it is like, and also get a head start on post high school life. This option will give me more freedom during my day, but also more out-of-school responsibilities like homework and studying, which I need to work on anyway. The choice of doing dual-enrollment will help me develop better diligence, more freedom, and quality knowledge.
I have a few courses in mind that I am interested in taking. Some of them are online, some are in person. Some are accelerated and some are full semester classes. Some are in the morning, some are in the evening. I appreciate having all these options instead of being forced in a building at the same time every day at 7AM just to attend classes that I am not interested in and are so boring I fall asleep during them. As an independent type of person, I very much love having just a little more freedom in my day. There is a possibility for an opening in the morning before Tech as well, which could aid me in creating a solid work schedule in the mornings to build my financial strength even more (just a thought, going to work each morning might not be an option, but we'll see).
I have a few courses in mind that I am interested in taking. Some of them are online, some are in person. Some are accelerated and some are full semester classes. Some are in the morning, some are in the evening. I appreciate having all these options instead of being forced in a building at the same time every day at 7AM just to attend classes that I am not interested in and are so boring I fall asleep during them. As an independent type of person, I very much love having just a little more freedom in my day. There is a possibility for an opening in the morning before Tech as well, which could aid me in creating a solid work schedule in the mornings to build my financial strength even more (just a thought, going to work each morning might not be an option, but we'll see).
- Business Administration
- Intro to business administration
- Small business management
- Intro to business administration
- Economics
- Intro to economics
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Psychology
- Intro to psychology
- Theatre
- Acting for the camera
- Directing
- Communications
- Oral communication
- Mass communications
- Persuasion
- Public Speaking
Extra Credit Event - Design Week
Every year in St. Louis, there is an event called design week. Basically, various design based businesses across the city hold open houses, movie showings, instagram takeovers, and more. It gives anyone and everyone an opportunity to come visit different firms and discover what they do. I took advantage of this opportunity and went to about 7 different businesses. These include: Space Architecture, JEMA, TOKY, TechArtista, Once Films, Atomic Dust, and Knoll Furniture. A few of my favorite things were:
1) Space Architecture's office was modern, unique, and it looked very fun to work at. They have various cool features like a heated floor, one of a kind air conditioning, and their very own woodworking shop.
2) JEMA architecture is built inside of an 1850s home in Midtown. It is absolutely stunning how many things they have done to remodel the place and keep the historic outside but modernize the inside. JEMA also told me to get in contact with them about a possible internship with them.
3) TOKY had a very modern office with a ping pong table and couches in the front, a bar in between that and the actual office space, and then there was the amazing design based office space with a library nook featuring some of their work. It was an interesting company that does branding and advertising for companies.
4) Once Films was right up my ally. They are a firm that creates videos and movies that help tell stories, brand for companies and advertise for companies. They have 4 cozy editing suites and a crazy amount of camera equipment.
This extra credit opportunity was not for the extra credit. I did it because I wanted to see different business ideas and different offices to get inspiration and get an idea for the real world. And it did just that, if not more. On this single day, I noticed that the design field is exactly the field that I belong in.
1) Space Architecture's office was modern, unique, and it looked very fun to work at. They have various cool features like a heated floor, one of a kind air conditioning, and their very own woodworking shop.
2) JEMA architecture is built inside of an 1850s home in Midtown. It is absolutely stunning how many things they have done to remodel the place and keep the historic outside but modernize the inside. JEMA also told me to get in contact with them about a possible internship with them.
3) TOKY had a very modern office with a ping pong table and couches in the front, a bar in between that and the actual office space, and then there was the amazing design based office space with a library nook featuring some of their work. It was an interesting company that does branding and advertising for companies.
4) Once Films was right up my ally. They are a firm that creates videos and movies that help tell stories, brand for companies and advertise for companies. They have 4 cozy editing suites and a crazy amount of camera equipment.
This extra credit opportunity was not for the extra credit. I did it because I wanted to see different business ideas and different offices to get inspiration and get an idea for the real world. And it did just that, if not more. On this single day, I noticed that the design field is exactly the field that I belong in.
Outro
This blog post consists of a very important chunk of time for me, maybe the most important chunk of time in my school career. I discovered many different career paths I like, I started planning for after high school, I started using a journal to organize my thoughts and design things, visited amazing businesses that opened my eyes, and just this week (week of Oct. 18) I started developing a new business idea that is better than the clothing company I talked about before. A lot of the details for my business idea are in my notebook, as well as a personal shelf design I will hopefully be building this year for my room.
Post #4 - January 7th
Intro
And now its the end of semester 1. I will be done at Oakville High in less than a week which is surreal, starting community college which is excited, and I will taking a trip to Ohio in about a week! I am very excited for where I am. I have made big steps with MODRN, and I won't lie, I have procrastinated a lot when it comes to certain things with the company, but none the less I'm much further ahead in chasing my dreams than many people my age. I have been sort of overwhelmed and busy with things like 20 hours of work per week, full time school, maintaining my YouTube channel which is at least 10-20 hours per week, and a girlfriend.
MODRN Media Company
I'm not sure if I have even mentioned MODRN yet in these blog posts yet, I haven't posted in 2 1/2 months. Therefore, I'll give a quick explanation of MODRN, my thoughts behind it, and what I have done so far.
-
What is it?
MODRN Media Co is a video marketing agency that provides cost-effective/affordable video production services for influencers, small business, and really anyone that needs a video created for any reason! It can include the filming, the editing, the revisions, and anything that the customer needs.
Where did the idea come from?
I detail the idea and reasoning behind MODRN a lot in my business journal (which I will include pictures of in this blog). Basically, an ex-pro scooter rider named Cole Zimmerman, who I have known about for the better part of my time scootering, posts many inspiring and insanely well produced travel videos on his personal Instagram. One day, I checked out his profile a little bit more, and found out he started his own media company called "WAV Agency". This gave me a really great idea: to start my own media company. It was a great idea as 1. I love video production from filming all the way to the finished product 2. It will create an avenue for me to push my video creation down more professional paths in addition to the current laid back, comedy based YouTube vlogs I make and 3. I was struggling to come up with a decent business concept to pursue this year because, as said in previous posts, I did not want to pursue the skatepark/scooter store business idea as it would take A LOT of money to be built up before hand, and the clothing company idea had no structure or reasoning behind it, just a name and some shirts. I figured that with whatever business I pursue, I can attach clothing and cool logos to it on the side, instead of just a clothing company. In short, MODRN will provide a great start to my entrepreneurial career as video production is one of my biggest passions AND it will not be that hard to get my first few projects going.
What progress have I made since the initial idea conception in early November?
I'll try to keep it short, but I have done a lot of stuff to progress my business since it's initial conception. I have emailed a lot of people explaining my hopeful business venture asking if they want a free project done to market their business. These include a couple of T-shirt shops (in exchange for some free merchandise from them), TechArtista (a co-working space with 4 locations in St. Louis, also visited them on my extra credit adventure in Blog 3), and my uncle Duane (recommending that I do a project for his group MGC). Long story short after much communication back and forth, I have secured a deal/project with TechArtista and MGC. I have not start the project with MGC yet even though I have the files ready (as said before, I am very bad with procrastination and have been very busy lately), but hey, no excuses...you have to work hard to get what I want. The project with TechArtista is very interesting and exciting. I get a year long subscription to all 4 locations of co-working space and access to their membership perks. I have to get this video done soon, but Alex (The COO) is very nice about it and understand I have been busy. I also have a couple people interested in projects but not yet secured. I don't want to rush any progression of the business because 1. I am very busy still with work, school, and YouTube 2. It takes time and I need to grasp that idea. I have made business cards as well which is a great step, and I have a website (www.modrnmediaco.com) and secured the domain.
What's next?
I would love to be very goal oriented and have a plan for my next year with MODRN, but I honestly have no idea where I'll be in a year and I can't think that far ahead. Considering I have yet to finish a project yet and that I'm overwhelmed with things to do lately, I don't want to get to far ahead of myself. I need to focus on what I am doing right now, today, this week. Not what I'm gonna do in a month or two. Yes I have places I want to be, but I have no clue what will be thrown into the mix and how the business my change or evolve over time. My goals right now are to simply get the first few projects finished and under my belt as an amateur video creator.
-
What is it?
MODRN Media Co is a video marketing agency that provides cost-effective/affordable video production services for influencers, small business, and really anyone that needs a video created for any reason! It can include the filming, the editing, the revisions, and anything that the customer needs.
Where did the idea come from?
I detail the idea and reasoning behind MODRN a lot in my business journal (which I will include pictures of in this blog). Basically, an ex-pro scooter rider named Cole Zimmerman, who I have known about for the better part of my time scootering, posts many inspiring and insanely well produced travel videos on his personal Instagram. One day, I checked out his profile a little bit more, and found out he started his own media company called "WAV Agency". This gave me a really great idea: to start my own media company. It was a great idea as 1. I love video production from filming all the way to the finished product 2. It will create an avenue for me to push my video creation down more professional paths in addition to the current laid back, comedy based YouTube vlogs I make and 3. I was struggling to come up with a decent business concept to pursue this year because, as said in previous posts, I did not want to pursue the skatepark/scooter store business idea as it would take A LOT of money to be built up before hand, and the clothing company idea had no structure or reasoning behind it, just a name and some shirts. I figured that with whatever business I pursue, I can attach clothing and cool logos to it on the side, instead of just a clothing company. In short, MODRN will provide a great start to my entrepreneurial career as video production is one of my biggest passions AND it will not be that hard to get my first few projects going.
What progress have I made since the initial idea conception in early November?
I'll try to keep it short, but I have done a lot of stuff to progress my business since it's initial conception. I have emailed a lot of people explaining my hopeful business venture asking if they want a free project done to market their business. These include a couple of T-shirt shops (in exchange for some free merchandise from them), TechArtista (a co-working space with 4 locations in St. Louis, also visited them on my extra credit adventure in Blog 3), and my uncle Duane (recommending that I do a project for his group MGC). Long story short after much communication back and forth, I have secured a deal/project with TechArtista and MGC. I have not start the project with MGC yet even though I have the files ready (as said before, I am very bad with procrastination and have been very busy lately), but hey, no excuses...you have to work hard to get what I want. The project with TechArtista is very interesting and exciting. I get a year long subscription to all 4 locations of co-working space and access to their membership perks. I have to get this video done soon, but Alex (The COO) is very nice about it and understand I have been busy. I also have a couple people interested in projects but not yet secured. I don't want to rush any progression of the business because 1. I am very busy still with work, school, and YouTube 2. It takes time and I need to grasp that idea. I have made business cards as well which is a great step, and I have a website (www.modrnmediaco.com) and secured the domain.
What's next?
I would love to be very goal oriented and have a plan for my next year with MODRN, but I honestly have no idea where I'll be in a year and I can't think that far ahead. Considering I have yet to finish a project yet and that I'm overwhelmed with things to do lately, I don't want to get to far ahead of myself. I need to focus on what I am doing right now, today, this week. Not what I'm gonna do in a month or two. Yes I have places I want to be, but I have no clue what will be thrown into the mix and how the business my change or evolve over time. My goals right now are to simply get the first few projects finished and under my belt as an amateur video creator.
YouTube
YouTube is easily the biggest passion of mine at the moment. I see so much in myself as far as comedy-based YouTube videos go. I seriously believe in myself and after doing YouTube consistently for over a year now (est. November 2020), I am in this thing for the long term. I will not quit YouTube for a very long time. On average, it takes a YouTuber 3-5 years to reach 100,000 subscribers. At a year in and at 614 subscribers, I am happy with where I am, but I know my content can cater to a much bigger audience and that many more than 600 people would like my content. Overall, I've been getting better at filming and editing my videos, which is essentially a universal skill for me.
Community College
This upcoming semester (2 weeks from now), I will be starting community college. I am finishing my last 1/2 gym credit for my diploma and I will be taking a business class, hopefully marketing based. I will most likely attend community college for at least year starting next fall, possibly at a different location in Missouri (Kansas City is one place I am looking at since it is similar to St. Louis but something new for me to explore and get a fresh perspective from).
Outro
Only one of these topics was Tech related, but I usually go above and beyond for these blog posts since I know I'll look back on them in a couple years. It's a great medium to express where I am!
Blog #5 - 03/07/2022
Intro
Since January, we have focused a lot more on our modular shelving project. At this point, we have honed in on the exact design we want. We also have had plenty of time to work on our businesses, and I have made a couple major changes to the basics or my business. Another thing I have been doing lately is learning more about how to use the 3D printer and I have printed many things on it. Unrelated to school, but still one of my passions, I have been still working hard on my YouTube channel and recently passed 700 subscribers. I'm on my way to 1k!
Modular Storage Unit
We have decided to make 3 different sized rectangles/squares out of wood. We began modeling a couple different types out of metal, plywood, and solid wood. It is very modular as we can take them apart, move them around, etc. The other thing we need to think of (still) is how we are going to mount them together. Carter and I came up with a "clip" idea that keeps the units together pretty well. Additionally, all of the units are the same width, and we used to math model of: 1a by 1a for the small unit, 2a by 1a for the medium unit, and 2a by 2a for the large unit.
MODRN Media
With MODRN Media, working on projects themselves has slowed down, but I have really honed in on the business concept I want to pursue with it. I decided that I want to combine my passion for action sports, entrepreneurship, and video production. Basically, I want to film and edit videos for companies and influencers in the action sports world. I will start with smaller companies and influencers. I will post my lean canvas and other materials on here in the next blog post since I am still working on them.
3D Printer
I have been working on my skills on the 3D printer immensely when we go to use the shop. I have printed a couple of different things and I have learned how to adjust size, shape, infill, and structures in these items. I am planning to buy my own 3D printer by the end of the year, even if it's just for fun.