BACHELOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN, VCU
brittany samko
education
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY bachelors of interior design | minor in psychology anticipated graduation: may 2014 member of ASID VCU chapter
SANTA REPARATA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ART Florence, Italy studied Italian design + craft june - july 2013
RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE OF THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY associates of fine arts 2009 - 2011 | gpa 3.4 member of rbc art club
skills
AutoCAD SketchUp Revit InDesign Photoshop Illustrator
experience
1009 W FRANKLIN ST | RICHMOND VA 804.677.9275 samkob@vcu.edu
MIDDLE OF BROAD student designer on various community design projects working in conjunction with Storefront for Community Design 2013 - present
MNEMOSYNE ARTS AND LITERARY MAGAZINE Richard Bland College editor and graphic consultant created layouts for artwork in print and online formats; created advertisements and brochures 2010 - 2011
LISA’S PAINTING COMPANY office and onsite assistant traditional clerical work, prepping and assisting on job sites, client consultations 2008 - 2011
“Design is the search for a magical balance between business and art; art and craft; intuition and reason; concept and detail; playfulness and formality.� -VALERIE PETTIS
loft apartment spa / salon architecture office stone showroom machine / components field sketches: italy manifesto
river loft:
create a space for a young professional in a seventh floor apartment with windows overlooking the James River clean, contemporary design with a master suite / office area upstairs and a guest bedroom and a kitchen / common space below simple furnishings with wood and hexagonal ceramic tile
spa and salon:
create a space for a client owning a spa and salon with a retail area in Richmond, VA waiting / retail space is open and invites clients in salon is at the front for the best light, with the massage and multi-purpose spa rooms towards the back for better sound control concrete, glass, and high ceilings in the salon; wood flooring, fabrics, and a lowered ceiling in the spa spaces to allow for a more intimate experience
architecture office:
create a space for an architecture / design firm in Richmond, VA angular walls create a continuous flow through space; wood walls for privacy / sound absorption contrasting glass walls allowing daylight to permeate the space open work stations / pin up space for collaboration conference rooms can be closed or open to accomodate different needs gallery space showcasing firm’s work cove lighting around recessed panels illuminate the projects as well as light the space
stone showroom:
create a showroom and retail space for a stone and tile business stone samples are displayed on fixed and freestanding panels throughout showroom, with small installation areas between offices mass of stacked wood creates a lowered ceiling in parts of space, influenced by the heaviness of stone; surface breaks, similar to rock fissures, create lighting and allow for space differentiation white walls, concrete floors and wood accents make the stone pieces stand out
machine / cube:
deconstruct a machine and construct a cube incorporating 25 parts a portable television circa the early ‘90s is disassembled and reassembled as a three dimensional diagram of the important / most used parts of the machine
components:
create a system derived of 36 pieces, using different combinations of 4 materials each component supports another component, making each piece vital to the success of the system
36 Components
field sketches: italy
etruscan ruins fiesole, italy
hanging laundry lucca, italy
palazzo strozzi detail florence, italy
la campanile window florence, italy
I believe that design is a means of communication. It should create a dialogue between the building and the inhabitant. In some circumstances, the design becomes more of a demand as opposed to a part of a reciprocative discussion. Some designs tell you where to go, where to not go, and how to be a part of the space. Other designs imbue occupants with emotion and engages the senses. Some designs become teachers: they introduce methods and possibilities for interaction and experimentation. Regardless of what kind of conversation is being held, the design must say something.