“Do what you want!” is probably what we hear the most when seeking for advice in our career paths. However, how many of us know what we truly want to do? Students pursuing art find themselves in the same quandary. Jessica Park is a first-year undergraduate student at New York School of Interior Design. She has been active in art since her childhood. Some of her accomplishments include receiving the Certificate of Achievement in Visual Arts for 2010, the Nassau All-County Art Exhibition Achievement Award for 2010, 2011, and 2012, and the Art Supervisors Association Scholarship Award for 2013. She was also chosen as a 2013 Presidential Scholar in her undergraduate program. She had originally pursued fine arts, until she came across interior design during her high school years.

Q1. What made you change your mind from pursuing fine arts to interior design?

A1. I guess the biggest factor was that I actually found something that I wanted to do, instead of something I would just settle with. This happened when I came across the catalog for the School of Interior Design; it described a graduate program for healthcare interior design. The catalog caught my eye immediately. After that, I really wanted to pursue interior design, so I changed my decision.

Q2. Do you like the change? If you do, what do you like about it?

A2. I like the change. What I realized is that interior design is much more interactive with people than fine arts. I am basically creating a space for people to live in. It gives me an opportunity to communicate with people. I have confidence that I can make a living through it. I guess it was a reality check. I saw a clear path that I could take, whereas fine arts gave me a different impression. When I thought of fine arts, I simply thought of “paint.” And that was it. I like fine arts, but I don’t think I love it enough to devote my whole life into it, without having to think about the reality.

Q3. What inspires you to continue arts, regardless of the change?

A3. Art always has been a big part of my life. The first thing that comes to my mind wherever I go is how everything looks. Even right now sitting at a café, I observe the space and think about its pros and cons to answer the question: what can I do to make it more visually appealing and convenient? There are just so many ways to achieve the goal. After all, the whole process is simply fun.

Q4. Was there a turning point in your life that led you to pursue art?

A4. I would not say there was a turning point. Ever since I was a child, art has always been with me. I first started out drawing flowers and rudimentary self-portraits. From then on, I have been constantly drawing. It has always sparked my interest.

Q5. If you were to describe yourself as an artist using one word, what would it be?

A5. I would say “willing.” When I was doing fine arts, I often thought to myself that I have my own style and I will not change it. Perhaps it was more of ‘I do not want to change it.’ I may have been arrogant back then. I knew I had to try various things to improve, but it was difficult for me to change the style that I had already established. I was used to it. Now, I am definitely “willing” to learn and try out new things. Yet, I do not expect something unique to emerge from me too soon, because I am starting anew in different fields of art. I imagine myself as an apprentice – always “willing” to take a stab at what intrigues me.

Q6. What is creativity to you?

A6. Transforming the basics into something different. Ultimately, art is derived from common things. Regardless of the field of art you engage in, you still share an object to work with. Abstract and modern artists can hold the same thoughts, but it really is a matter of how you express that idea. Keeping that in mind, I think it is crucial for you to understand the foundation of an item.

Q7. What is the most difficult step for you when it comes to creating arts?

A7. I think the hardest step is grasping the idea, especially when I am also trying to deliver a message across. How well you create it is still important, but it should not be your biggest concern. I try to focus more on the message behind it. Now as an interior design student, I think about how my design will fit the people in the space they live and what distinguishes it from other designs. Even just a simple color of the wall can change my intention by conveying a different message.

Q8. Do you often find yourself with artist’s block?

A8. Yes, quite often. I think all jobs that require creativity go through the same problem. There are days when I just do not want to be creative at all. There also are moments when I get completely stuck; then I lose my motivation. Sometimes the process of coming up with a concept can be overwhelming, but once I get the outline, I just go with the flow. It is still difficult to develop the right idea.

Q9. Would you say your artist’s block is due to pressure?

A9. It is not necessarily caused by pressure. When I have my artist’s block, it is usually when I am not very passionate about my work. When I am motivated, I get an endless train of ideas. However if it is just for the sake of doing work, my brain just stops. When I was applying for the School of Art at Cooper Union, I had to take a hometest that required creativity and imagination. It was surely difficult, but I was very passionate about it. It was fun and the questions were interesting as well. There definitely was a lot of pressure on me, but it was an interesting experience that I do not regret.

Q10. What do you like about the environment you work in?

A10. It is always busy. There are always people to occupy the space. It is rarely ever static, and this keeps me running throughout the day.

Q11. So, would you say your working environment is comfortable?

A11. I wouldn’t call it comfortable just yet. I mean, I can create a comfortable space, but working in it isn’t necessarily comfortable. I will have to get used to the environment that always changes. Then again, “working” itself is not a very comfortable action either!

Q12. What is one thing you would like to do as an interior designer in the future?

A12. Interior design takes the client’s demands very seriously; there is a set boundary in which designers can work within, although I sometimes feel like a daredevil going against their requests and ultimately change their preferences. Let’s say they do not like the color blue. I would show them different shades of blue and convince my clients to like at least one of them. It can be seen as a “taboo” thing, but I still want to “convert” them.