{"id":9849,"date":"2017-09-27T12:56:13","date_gmt":"2017-09-27T16:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/?p=9849"},"modified":"2022-05-23T14:52:50","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T18:52:50","slug":"building-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/blog\/2017\/09\/27\/building-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Carlos<\/a><\/p>\n

Carlos Torres-Cervantes was always passionate about architecture, but when he first came to the College of Design, he wasn\u2019t sure how to pursue it practically. He chose to study industrial design instead. \u201cTo be honest, when I first started in design [at the College], I didn\u2019t fully understand what design was. I knew that I loved being creative, but I wanted to try and turn that kind of synthesis into problem-solving,\u201d he says. He received his bachelor of industrial design in 2012 and began working in the community.<\/p>\n

Torres-Cervantes embarked on a career in graphic design at a local research company, Innovation Research & Training (IRT), whose business services focus on enhancing the mental and physical health and quality of life of children and their families, the community, and organizations. \u201cWhat I really like was that they are supporting the local Durham community and many of the projects have something to do with education. So, whether it was teaching mindfulness in school, helping them [citizens] understand what happens when you go to a doctor, or a program to help children integrate better into society\u2014it was all via graphic design or online interactive programs that we created,\u201d<\/strong> says Torres-Cervantes.<\/p>\n

The experience was influential. It enhanced Torres-Cervantes\u2019 passion to make a difference in the community, highlight the importance of family, and also to explore his original passion for architecture. \u201cI realized it was an opportunity; if I wanted to go back and get my master\u2019s degree, it was now.\u201d So he returned to NC State to pursue a master\u2019s degree in architecture (M.Arch).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time, I felt more confident in myself and had more experience,\u201d<\/strong> he says. \u201cI understood what design was; I think everyone can be creative, but there is a whole other aspect to it. It comes with working with a client and manufacturers, and a whole other team. There are so many other systems to interact with. This understanding really helped me cement what I wanted to do in that kind of environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the summer, Torres-Cervantes was able to intern at Duda | Paine Architects<\/a>, a renowned Durham-based firm that is responsible for designing the award-winning Talley Student Union. Turan Duda, FAIA, Founding Principal, is also an alumnus and valued member of the College community.<\/p>\n

The internship came about because of lots of preparation on Torres-Cervantes\u2019 part. He reached out to Kathleen Monroe Fenner, director of career and academic advising<\/a>, who assisted him on improving his resume and interviewing techniques. \u201cShe [Fenner] did a mock interview with me, and this was very helpful in facilitating a better understanding of how to have a good interview,\u201d he states. Then Torres-Cervantes attended the Career Expo and was invited to interview with four different firms, among them Duda | Paine. His earlier efforts paid off, and he was offered the summer position.<\/p>\n

\"Carlos\"<\/a>The internship was a great learning opportunity for Torres-Cervantes. It gave him exposure to the workings of an interdisciplinary team, and he learned to work under deadlines and saw projects get accomplished.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe internship was amazing,\u201d<\/strong> says Torres-Cervantes. He was pleasantly surprised that much of the work was similar to that performed in a studio: modeling, diagrams, preparing for presentations, creating models in 3-D and 2-D using Revit, AutoCAD, and Rhino. But the experience was invaluable, and he adds, \u201cworking in a team with highly skilled architects who all taught me along the way\u2014how to work in an office, work with the client, work with the structural engineers that we communicate with, and the renderers and landscape architects and interior designers\u2014there is a whole new family of systems I wasn\u2019t aware of. To see it all orchestrated was impressive and efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t afraid to ask questions,\u201d he continues. \u201cThere are deadlines, and we worked together really hard to meet these deadlines, do presentations, and then eventually, pass along all this information to the head architects to meet with the clients. It was very fast-paced, and I was continually learning. Even though there was a lot of work, I felt like I was part of the team.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

His industrial design degree and Materials Lab<\/a> experience and knowledge of the tools came into play in the shop work. \u201cIt was helpful that I had experience in this. They have a shop in their basement that has a laser cutter, and I was already prepared to use these tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

The work required using the shop to do quick ideation and modeling with foam. \u201cJust learning how to ideate different designs through modeling\u2014instead of just 2-D drawings or computer renderings\u2014both the 2-D and 3-D modeling are valuable,\u201d says Torres-Cervantes. \u201cHaving the model in front of you, being able to hold it and pick it up, really helps everyone on the team to understand the design better.\u201d<\/p>\n

As an industrial designer, the application of 2-D is important and the tools of the trade are also different. He explains, \u201cID helped me think in a 3-D manner; before, I was more of a 2-D thinker with Photoshop and Illustrator. Learning how to 3-D model and to make models gave me a better understanding of how an object gets built. It is easy to draw a shape, but to have it stand up and resist forces is something else. This skillset carried over and was evident in my original interview.\u201d<\/p>\n

Torres-Cervantes wrapped up his internship and is back at the College with a better understanding of what it takes to be an architect, the work and collaboration that is involved, and the value of design thinking and ideation throughout the process. The exposure gained at Duda | Paine solidified his aspiration of becoming an architect, and he\u2019s seen the benefits and opportunities it offers to make a difference and impact others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something of value in working on large projects for a multi-million dollar corporation, but with a small project\u2014you can see and say that the architecture actually helps people, and I hope to make that kind of impact.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\"Carlos<\/a>\n\nCarlos Torres-Cervantes was always passionate about architecture, but when he first came to the College of Design, he wasn\u2019t sure how to pursue it practically. He chose to study industrial design instead. \u201cTo be honest, when I first started in design [at the College], I didn\u2019t fully understand what design was. I knew that I loved being creative, but I wanted to try and turn that kind of synthesis into problem-solving,\u201d he says. He received his bachelor of industrial design in 2012 and began working in the community.\n\nTorres-Cervantes embarked on a career in graphic design at a local research company, Innovation Research & Training (IRT), whose business services focus on enhancing the mental and physical health and quality of life of children and their families, the community, and organizations. \u201cWhat I really like was that they are supporting the local Durham community and many of the projects have something to do with education. So, whether it was teaching mindfulness in school, helping them [citizens] understand what happens when you go to a doctor, or a program to help children integrate better into society\u2014it was all via graphic design or online interactive programs that we created,\u201d<\/strong> says Torres-Cervantes.\n\nThe experience was influential. It enhanced Torres-Cervantes\u2019 passion to make a difference in the community, highlight the importance of family, and also to explore his original passion for architecture. \u201cI realized it was an opportunity; if I wanted to go back and get my master\u2019s degree, it was now.\u201d So he returned to NC State to pursue a master\u2019s degree in architecture (M.Arch).\n\n\u201cThis time, I felt more confident in myself and had more experience,\u201d<\/strong> he says. \u201cI understood what design was; I think everyone can be creative, but there is a whole other aspect to it. It comes with working with a client and manufacturers, and a whole other team. There are so many other systems to interact with. This understanding really helped me cement what I wanted to do in that kind of environment.\u201d\n\nOver the summer, Torres-Cervantes was able to intern at Duda | Paine Architects<\/a>, a renowned Durham-based firm that is responsible for designing the award-winning Talley Student Union. Turan Duda, FAIA, Founding Principal, is also an alumnus and valued member of the College community.\n\nThe internship came about because of lots of preparation on Torres-Cervantes\u2019 part. He reached out to Kathleen Monroe Fenner, director of career and academic advising<\/a>, who assisted him on improving his resume and interviewing techniques. \u201cShe [Fenner] did a mock interview with me, and this was very helpful in facilitating a better understanding of how to have a good interview,\u201d he states. Then Torres-Cervantes attended the Career Expo and was invited to interview with four different firms, among them Duda | Paine. His earlier efforts paid off, and he was offered the summer position.\n\n\"Carlos\"<\/a>The internship was a great learning opportunity for Torres-Cervantes. It gave him exposure to the workings of an interdisciplinary team, and he learned to work under deadlines and saw projects get accomplished.\n\n\u201cThe internship was amazing,\u201d<\/strong> says Torres-Cervantes. He was pleasantly surprised that much of the work was similar to that performed in a studio: modeling, diagrams, preparing for presentations, creating models in 3-D and 2-D using Revit, AutoCAD, and Rhino. But the experience was invaluable, and he adds, \u201cworking in a team with highly skilled architects who all taught me along the way\u2014how to work in an office, work with the client, work with the structural engineers that we communicate with, and the renderers and landscape architects and interior designers\u2014there is a whole new family of systems I wasn\u2019t aware of. To see it all orchestrated was impressive and efficient.\u201d\n\n\u201cI wasn\u2019t afraid to ask questions,\u201d he continues. \u201cThere are deadlines, and we worked together really hard to meet these deadlines, do presentations, and then eventually, pass along all this information to the head architects to meet with the clients. It was very fast-paced, and I was continually learning. Even though there was a lot of work, I felt like I was part of the team.\u201d<\/strong>\n\nHis industrial design degree and Materials Lab<\/a> experience and knowledge of the tools came into play in the shop work. \u201cIt was helpful that I had experience in this. They have a shop in their basement that has a laser cutter, and I was already prepared to use these tools.\u201d\n\nThe work required using the shop to do quick ideation and modeling with foam. \u201cJust learning how to ideate different designs through modeling\u2014instead of just 2-D drawings or computer renderings\u2014both the 2-D and 3-D modeling are valuable,\u201d says Torres-Cervantes. \u201cHaving the model in front of you, being able to hold it and pick it up, really helps everyone on the team to understand the design better.\u201d\n\nAs an industrial designer, the application of 2-D is important and the tools of the trade are also different. He explains, \u201cID helped me think in a 3-D manner; before, I was more of a 2-D thinker with Photoshop and Illustrator. Learning how to 3-D model and to make models gave me a better understanding of how an object gets built. It is easy to draw a shape, but to have it stand up and resist forces is something else. This skillset carried over and was evident in my original interview.\u201d\n\nTorres-Cervantes wrapped up his internship and is back at the College with a better understanding of what it takes to be an architect, the work and collaboration that is involved, and the value of design thinking and ideation throughout the process. The exposure gained at Duda | Paine solidified his aspiration of becoming an architect, and he\u2019s seen the benefits and opportunities it offers to make a difference and impact others.\n

\u201cThere is something of value in working on large projects for a multi-million dollar corporation, but with a small project\u2014you can see and say that the architecture actually helps people, and I hope to make that kind of impact.\u201d<\/strong><\/blockquote>"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Carlos Torres-Cervantes [BID ’12] received a degree in industrial design, explored graphic and UX design and realized he wanted to be an architect.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49,387],"tags":[50,51,55],"class_list":["post-9849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newswire","category-student-experience","tag-_featured","tag-architecture","tag-industrial-design"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9849"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30312,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9849\/revisions\/30312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}