FOCUS Student Magazine - Issue 18 by FOCUS Student Magazine

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR SUB-EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR SALES MANAGER MARKETING MANAGER CONTENT MANAGER CHAIRMAN

CONTRIBUTORS Alexander Moroz Cristina Maria Alexander Moroz Aleksandra Abratańska Sonata Stačkūnaitė Aela Nikolova Edvard Lucius Tramsen

CREATIVE TEAM

WRITERS TEAM

Alexander Moroz Olga Mangurova Tatiana Coelho de Oliveira Plamena Somova Odette Charles El-Hayek Janis Zirnitis

Cristina Maria Aela Nikolova Alexandra Munteanu

MARKETING TEAM

SALES TEAM

Sonata Stačkūnaitė

Aleksandra Abratańska

focusstudentmagazine@gmail.com facebook.com/FocusStudentMagazine

Ailin Arias Csenge Anna Czeizer Miša Bednárová Ugne Tusaite Natalia Thiel Zsolt Miller Vanessa Kovacs Per Tøffner Knudsen Regina Tagger

SPECIAL THANKS

Annette Hansen Hindkjær Anders Stokholm Jessen Amir Rehman Daniel Brix Hesselager Paul McElheron Claudia Marian

COVER ARTIST

Olga Mangurova

TABLE OF CONTENT 4 8 13 16 18 24 26 29 34 40 42 46 49 52 54 56 62

WORDS OF WISDOM: CHAIRMAN’S LETTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: RAINS - INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL BRIX HESSELAGER A VISITOR’S GUIDE : COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK 5 TIPS: ON HOW TO GET THAT DREAM INTERNSHIP ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS: JUST GIVE UP – INTERVIEW WITH CSABA TÖVISKES THE ASIAN EXPERIENCE: How to go to China & Vietnam with VIA Talent 5-STAR EXPERIENCE: I INTERN IN #MYCALVINS – INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW CHOW THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: LETTER FROM UKRAINE PRACTICAL SECRETS: A PERFECT PORTFOLIO TEACHER’S CHOICE: JUST IN-TIME VS JUST-IN CASE INSPIRATION: FIND YOUR PASSION – INTERVIEW WITH SUSANNE KNUDSEN HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE: ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE PERSONAL LENS: MAKE SPACE! ON THE ROAD: TRAVEL IN WINTER DANISH AND THE WORLD: WHAT’S HYGGE FOR YOU? STUDENT ADVICE: HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR DEGREE KITCHEN STORIES: SWEETEN YOUR CHRISTMAS

instagram.com/focusstudentmag

acebook.com/FocusStudentMagazine

26 - 5-STAR EXPERIENCE

8 - IN THE SPOTLIGHT

29 - THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

13 - #CPHFW

18 - ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

Greetings dear reader, I don’t know if you’re quite aware of what you’re holding in your hands right now… It might seem like a regular student magazine, but actually, just 3 years ago, it was only a silly little idea in someone’s head. Today, it has nearly become a social movement, with passionate volunteers working to make valuable content. For the students, by the students. This is a magazine for fun, creativity, hard-work, team spirit and vision. It is a magazine that exemplifies what willpower can do, because it’s all made on a volunteer basis. From an idea, born on a late winter night in Birk Campus to a beautiful magazine, printed in hundreds of copies. My name’s Edvard and the “silly little idea” popped in my own head back in 2013, when I was also a student in Herning. And so it is my honor to proudly introduce you to what you will find within these pages… This issue is centered around the resolutions for success that we all make around this time of the year. As a full-time business entrepreneur, what I know, however, is that success isn’t based on pure luck or favourable time. It’s built by you and your efforts! Every day, every week and every month I set my own agenda, just like you’re doing right now with your studies. So I have to stay motivated and FOCUS’ed. The key to success is learning from the best and continuously working on improving yourself! Whatever it is you want to do, there are skills you must learn, there’s knowledge to gain and there’s experience to be had. If you didn’t already know, let me be the first to break it to you – it is your own responsibility and so the sooner you get started, the better. And so we hope this issue will help you get started on your journey. When I initially shared my idea for this magazine, I was met with disbelief, doubt and don’ts. People didn’t see what I saw, so I had to take responsibility and push through every obstacle to make it a reality. I had grit, I had a powerful vision and so I didn’t give up. If I couldn’t do something, I learned how to do it, because I could see what it might become. And the skills I developed are exactly the ones I use today to be able to work as an entrepreneur, doing what I love. So what inspiration for success will you find between the pages of this issue? Look out for ways to grow your willpower, how to motivate yourself and develop stamina, so that you can keep going even when things get difficult. Check out the advice of the successful people we interviewed, and discover what it takes to make your dream a sustainable reality. Finally, I hope the stories shared in this magazine will help you find your own vision to fight for. Something that will push you forward, just as the volunteers behind FOCUS Student Magazine are constantly striving to improve their content and live up to their vision by setting new standards and pushing boundaries. Enjoy! All the best, Edvard Lucius Tramsen

Every year, the Christmas joy spreads throughout the City and brings people and families together. It all starts at one particular place – Herning City, The Heart of Herning. The crisp weather pinches your cheeks and the sun from the winter sky warms your face. The sun is about to set, and it’s getting darker. The Christmas lights is all over the City, and even though it’s dark outside, the streets are beautifully lit up. You smell something sweet, and is drawn towards the scent. As you come closer you hear little Christmas carols. The sweet scent takes you through the light, and

The Magic of

Christmas

stops you right in front of a little, kind woman. She offers you a taste of her famous sugar roasted almonds. The flavours fills your pallet. The sweet notes delights you and the crunch surprises you. This is Christmas at the Heart of Herning, this is Christmas at Herning City.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year Experience the beautiful Christmas lights, the new kissers-tree, Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas chair, the two glowing lady deer at Torvet, the magical enormous Christmas tree, listen to the Christmas carols and say hello to Santa. Taste the sugar roasted almonds and the warm crispy waffles Everything, every day in Herning City The Heart of Herning

Find all our events and happenings at www.herningcity.dk & Facebook

From a TEKO graduate start-up to an accomplished international brand An interview with Daniel Brix Hesselager, Managing Director Text by Aela Nikolova

Anyone who is aware of the fact that Denmark has around 121 rainy days a year, will have also heard about the Scandinavian way of dealing with any kind of weather: the style and flair. Let me introduce you to the iconic Danish rainwear brand RAINS, in an interview with its Managing Director, Daniel Brix Hasselager, who was part of the team that founded the company back in 2012.

Based on an early initiative to reinterpret the traditional rubber raincoat in a novel way, RAINS has, since its foundation, grown into an accomplished international rainwear brand. Along with the reinvented classics, RAINS offers today a full line of waterproof outerwear, bags and accessories to the fashion-conscious consumer.

Inspired by both the Scandinavian weather and the region’s design heritage, RAINS merges traditional methods with innovative techniques in order to create understated and considered rainwear made to last beyond the season. RAINS is featured in 3200 dealers across 21 countries, and is known for going global from the start.

From the headquarters in Egaa, central Denmark, RAINS develops new additions to the expanding collection and manages the European distribution. In addition to the Egaa headquarters, a 500 square meter showroom and retail space in Copenhagen sets the framework for showcasing the brand’s universe and presenting its newest campaigns.

It’s no coincidence that its current business model is often the base for our VIA Design case studies – Daniel is, in fact, one of the school’s former graduates – so I contacted him to share his professional insights on how recent graduates and other creative entrepreneurs can bring their business ideas to life and take them as far as possible. 11

RAINS is an iconic brand among VIA Design students, an example of a successful business that you set up right after your graduation. Can you share with our readers which subject taught to you as a Design Teknolog was the most useful in a real-life business environment?

theory and take risks.

It’s difficult to identify specific skills taught in my TEKO - now VIA Design - education which were most useful. To set the basis of a business you need to be able to manage a wide range of functions in the start-up. Nevertheless, I can point out one thing and that is the ability to execute projects on a practical level. To be able to relate theory to the reality of a small business. The knowledge of how to eliminate risk or build UPSs (unique selling propositions) into the value chain are of course relevant on some level, but in a start-up it is primarily important to identify your eligibility in the market. To do so, you need to deviate from

Since a VIA Design students’ start-up is often executed by creative people, driven towards the lifestyle and fashion industry, I would say that it’s vital to have an understanding of the managing and structuring of a company’s back-end. It is also important to be able to allocate resources to stimulate the growth of the company. If this is not natural for you as an entrepreneur, the first thing you should do is to find someone who can manage this for you. Most creative-driven businesses with a justification in the market die out because of cash-flow issues and liquidity shortage.

What would you rate as most important when establishing your own business? A broad network, a good business plan or putting yourself „out there“, in the sense of being proactive?

RAINS found a need in the market for stylish, functional rainwear that meets the lifestyle of their customers. How can a young entrepreneur spot emerging trends and opportunities? Is it long-term research and observation or a matter of luck? Neither of them. Of course, you can always do a long-term market research, but I would rather recommend to test your idea in the market based on your intuition. Do not use up all your focus sitting behind a desk and optimizing your product. Rather, go and test it from a sales perspective. There wasn’t really a need in the market for RAINS as a product, but the execution in back-end structure, marketing and sales confirmed our place on the market. In the beginning there were no passionate customers, but we eliminated the risk for them and developed a strong identity which captured their interest over time. We gained momentum by 12

eliminating all concerns for the retailer and reached out to the end-consumer.

growing stronger. To be part of an engaged and ambitious team who works on the same common project is a great motivation on an everyday basis!

RAINS is known for going global from the start, achieving a quick growth in revenue, retail locations and brand awareness. Did you envision the company as it is today from the very moment you established it?

If you could give one piece of priceless business advice to young entrepreneurs, what would it be? Find partners who can complement your skills, and share your vision in tough periods. Do not hold your idea too close, but share it with your network and get valuable feedback. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend all your energy in product development. In the end, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your capability to execute the processes throughout the whole value chain that will make you succeed.

When I first got the idea of RAINS, there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really a business-plan. There were only intentions and ideas of how it could be shaped in the future. The structure and the business plan came after the first 30 customers. How do you motivate yourself to pursue your business goals and vision for the future? I find inspiration and motivation when I see the business and brand developing and

visitor’s guide

Copenhagen Fashion Week Text by Vanessa Kovacs

Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) is the Nordic region’s largest fashion event. Attending offers many opportunities if you are a fashion student - you can gain practical information about the newest trends and many other topics, so it is worth visiting!

he event takes place in beautiful Copenhagen, providing a unique experience for all visitors. It is held twice a year and contains two big fairs: CIFF and Revolver as well as several runway shows. Make sure you are free on 1-3 February 2017 and plan your fashion journey to Denmark’s capital! Are you ready? Read this article to get the most out of your visit.

designers. At the trade shows you get a chance to look through their work and make good connections. Even though you can get a picture about how the Scandinavian fashion will look like in the next season, you might want to visit fashion shows to experience more and discover truly inspiring pieces, as well as enjoy fashion-related conversations in a creative atmosphere with a drink at hand.

How To Attend Copenhagen Fashion Week

It is not always easy to get invitations to shows but there are several tricks to try. If you are lucky enough you might have the chance to sit in the rows or even get backstage and help with preparations, which is a good chance to try experience the business while enjoying your time at CPHFW.

As a student at VIA, you can easily register yourself on the internet to visit the CIFF and Revolver trade shows, where you can meet with interesting brands and talented 15

#CPHFW you have a blog, or a platform where you share your experiences and pictures about of show.

Use your network

It is all about who you know. If you know the right people you have a big chance to get an invitation to a show. Look through your friend list and use your connections!

Additional Tip â&#x20AC;&#x201C; watch it online

For some of the shows, you do not have to be invited to experience them, since you can stream them online on the official webpage. In addition to the live-streamed shows, several shows are filmed and available on the same day as the show.

Get a job

Working in the industry is a foot in the door. You meet people, make connections, learn about the business, discover mentors, hear about other job opportunities - even get invitations to other fashion shows and parties.

Copenhagen Fashion Festival

You can visit Copenhagen Fashion Festival as well, the counterpart to Copenhagen Fashion Week. It is open to the public with hundreds of events and exhibitions including previews of the collections of future fashion leaders with graduate exhibitions, fashion talks, shopping events and even more.

Become an intern or volunteer

Designers and fashion businesses usually need help during the fashion week. Prepare yourself at home and look through the participating businesses. Stay updated via social media and wait for the perfect time to apply! On the other hand, you can apply to be a volunteer at Copenhagen Fashion Week, where the job is usually distributing their newspaper, The Daily. It gives a good opportunity to get behind the scenes and strengthen your network.

If you got into the fashion trades and fairs or any of the shows, you should set your aims why you are going to CPHFW. If you are a real careerist looking for the best places to have your internship, then take your CV with you and find your dream company there. If you plan it as an inspiring trip, do not forget your sketchbook! You might just want to listen to the interesting fashion related presentations so make sure to check the time schedule of CIFF programs to sit in the first row. If you want to extend your network in the industry, then this event is definitely for you! But you can always take it easy and just look around, get inspired and go with the flow. You can collect business cards, lookbooks and flyers as well as the

Contact and ask

Begin the process by familiarizing yourself with the designers on the schedule. Whether reading about them in magazines, or following them on social media, begin interacting with the brands. You can contact them (usually the press is responsible for the tickets) and ask about possibilities for getting an invitation. It can be beneficial if 16

official magazine of the event, The Daily, which gives you organized overview about the trends and introduces talented designers and their works.

Important Dates

Be sure to book the dates in your calendar for the upcoming seasons of CPHFW. AW17: 1-3 February 2017 SS18: 9-11 August 2017 AW18: 31 January-2 February 2018

Copenhagen itself offers you many great opportunities during the fashion week to enjoy the fashion world even more. You can visit different exhibitions, make sketches in Nyhavn Harbor or get fashionable pieces from StrĂ¸get. Last but not least, if you are clever and lucky enough you can find crazy rooftop parties or after parties around the city held just because of the fashion week.

Important Webpages:

Schedules, the list of designers, volunteer job and other practical information: www. copenhagenfashionweek.com Registration to CIFF and information about the fair: ciff.dk Registration to Revolver and information about the fair: revolver.dk

All in all, visiting Copenhagen Fashion Week is a good opportunity to surround yourself with talented people and get useful information, so do as much as you want, experience and enjoy!

Text by Ugne Tusaite

5INTERNSHIP!

TIPS ON HOW TO GET THAT DREAM

Internships. It’s a scary word for those who haven’t tested the 21st century legal slavery waters yet. I’m just kidding, of course, or am I? The idea is pretty simple: you get to work for the company you may see yourself working for in the future. It gives you a taste of what it’s like and at the same time you get the opportunity to gain some new skills and knowledge about the industry. Is it worth to work hard for it, you ask? Yes! Go big or go home, as they say.

write all the places that you want to apply for, as well as their deadline, if they have one, and stick it on your computer screen, so it doesn’t leave your head, just like that homework list.

Don’t lie! Or do...

There is no crime in a few little white lies here and there in your application, those group work skills and public speaking will come to you at some point, but… Don’t shoot yourself in the leg with the big stuff… If you cannot use Photoshop or do not know the key programs that the company is using, at some point it will come out! Once you start the scary job anyway, you don’t want to be stressed out about being asked to do your job. Just be open about it at your interview, talk about your fast learning skills and willingness to learn; at the end of the day this is what you will be there for!

Let’s start with the basics. Be organized! There will be no need to stress if you have everything in the right folder just waiting to be added to that magical email. Have your badass portfolio, cover letter and resume ready to shoot, with the correct title of the document, so that it doesn’t end up being a final-finally-final.pdf file that will make even your mother cringe. Save yourself a few years of happy life and organize the deadlines of applications. Most of the companies have them online, so just make sure you are not too late for the party. It is not too difficult to take a sticky note and

Speaking of interviews...

Be ready to have some Skype time! Usually, if they like your portfolio, cover letter or whatever you sent them, THE INTERVIEW is the next step. It’s kind of a “make it or break it” deal from there. Be presentable 18

Don’t give up!

and excited! They love to hear how much you admire their work, they expect you to know their stuff before the interview, so mention some projects they did and how you thought you wanted to be a part of it. Again, white lies are no crime here… The upside to all of this is that you can wear whatever you want from the waist down, or nothing at all… Hey, there’s no judgment here. BUT… If you are studying fashion design, they might ask you to come to the office/atelier for the interview. Sometimes they like to see some of your work in person, especially the “big deal” designers, so don’t be surprised, they expect you to be resourceful! Make a trip out of it, visit the place, get excited and be prepared. You don’t want to waste all that trip money!

There is quite a big chance that a few or more companies will ignore your application, but don’t let it stop you. It can never hurt to send them a second letter, or even a third. They might reconsider you, or not… It’s up to how good of a match you are for them, and I’m afraid I can’t help you with that… Also, companies are really busy, so be patient they have their businesses to run too, so sometimes it may take a few weeks to answer your e-mail (especially in the southern part of Europe, they love their siestas). SO with that being said, send your application in advance, it’s always smart to be the first one to apply. Apply to more companies than you think it’s necessary, sometimes it may surprise you how much you will fall in love with a company just from the interview.

Don’t be shy!

That’s the fun part of it!

As much as it is intimidating to be judged by the actual brand, especially if you really like them, it’s really important to know your worth! Present them with your best work, show them that you are passionate about their area and that you are ready to save the world. Don’t shy away from all your good achievements, even if they have little relevance to the field, they may represent some major skills that are very important to the brand. Let’s say you were really great at basketball and have been the captain of the team - it may show your great group work or leadership skills. Don’t boast too much about it, but a quick mention can never hurt. Just be really excited about your specialty, these companies most likely have been doing their business for a while, so they always want a little boost of energy and excitement. It’s always refreshing to hear somebody be positive about the interesting industry that fashion and business is.

So that’s my advice for you today… Your internship can be one of the greatest experiences, at least during your university life. Be brave and apply for your dream companies, but also test out smaller ones - sometimes that’s where the best opportunities are hiding! It’s up to you to make it amazing, work hard and listen! Make sure to learn and demand the knowledge from your superiors, don’t shy away from sharing your opinion, and propose new ideas! This is your time to shine. Take the opportunity to travel, see new countries or maybe places where you see yourself developing after your studies. I am excited for your new adventure -go get ‘em, tiger!

Csabi Töviskes on designing for London Fashion Week two seasons in a row, the importance of building your network and the motivation to kick your own butt to get out of bed every single morning. Text by Aela Nikolova Photos from Csabi Töviskes’s personal collection

It has been so rainy all day that Noah’s ship would have had no problem sailing off that afternoon, and it is especially hard to work on articles for the winter issue of FOCUS in the middle of October, with only the weather outside helping set the freezing winter scenery right.

known him, he had always been a person not waiting for change to happen, but knowing exactly where he is going and working hard to get there. “Hold on, I’m coming to save you”, writes Csabi, and arrives 15 minutes later with a fancy French chocolate, and the world seems like a tolerable place once again. “I am sorry I didn’t have time to prepare for the interview – I just came back from Paris” says and smiles apologetically. “I guess we will have to improvise – that is my first interview, to be honest”.

Thankfully, I have a meeting to look forward to – today I am seeing Csabi, whom I have been waiting to interview for our magazine ever since he came back from his second Paris visit this month. For the past two years, Csabi had managed to do an exchange in Manchester, get a London internship in the high-end fashion brand Éthologie, travel to Paris and back and showcase his designs on London Fashion Week for the second time. As far as I’ve

“First of many”, I think to myself, and I squee inside – I might be actually having the honor of being the first to interview young Csaba Töviskes on his way to making fashion history. 20

Csabi’s design from SS17 You have your designs showcased at London Fashion Week for a second year in a row. Can you tell us a bit about the company you designed for? I became an intern at Éthologie in the summer of 2015, during my 3rd semester work placement. It is a London-based upcoming contemporary high-fashion brand, and Jasper Garvida is its creative director. He graduated from Central Saint Martins and previously worked for Alexander McQueen and Dior with John Galliano. Éthologie does ready-to-wear womenswear collections and since it is a growing company, I saw room to improve my skills and get a closer view of the internal fashion business engine. I was lucky to get the internship since I was looking for a fashion company to work with on-line. Éthologie was around the 50th brand I applied to, and I saw the advertisement just 2 hours after it was posted, so I took the chance immediately. What’s more, later it turned out that I was only able to have an interview with Jasper through Skype because of my name: he had a childhood best friend called Csaba when he was still living in Canada. Otherwise, he doesn’t do Skype interviews at all.

expectations. I was able to design 5 garments which were presented on the catwalk of London Fashion Week and on vogue.co.uk. Therefore, my AP final was also based on Éthologie’s DNA. This year we were inspired by Henri Rousseau’s artwork and the native African culture. I knew I really wanted to work to make the most out of this idea since I found it close to my creative interest. So after my exam I decided to go back to London and help him out with SS17, even though it was only for 3 weeks, I worked a lot but I knew I would gain even more new experiences.

What were your direct impressions on the current trends showcased at LFW? Since you have participated for two years in a row, what was different this year? The thing is, usually when you are working for a company showcasing at Fashion week, the best-case scenario for an intern is to get to work backstage, meaning you don’t even have the chance to walk around and enjoy the catwalk shows. These events require way more preparation and work, and involve a number of sleepless nights. Jasper and I became really good friends. My experience with the SS16 collection was beyond my 21

asked me to join the team for the latest trade show in Paris (since then I am also in charge of their Instagram account… #anotherwaytoexperiencethebusiness).

Csabi's embroidery design in SS16. A dress with Swarovski crystals and metallic threadwork.

I felt super happy because it was my second time to be in Paris – I was there with the VIA Design BA school trip to visit Premiere Vision, a showcase event for upcoming fabric trends and materials. So two weeks after I went back to visit Tranoï with Éthologie, which is a designer trade show. I was very excited because I couldn’t wait to go back and explore Paris more. What was the most exciting part of participating in such events? Tranoï was at Cité de la Mode on the coast of the Seine River, which was a super cool place. Apart from the location, it is a oncein-a-lifetime student experience, because at this event I was surrounded by other contemporary designers and industry professionals, specialised in different fashion branches, from clothes to accessories and shoes. I really had the chance to extend my professional network there. For example, I made friends with a designer who has been in Vogue and designed for celebrities such as Nicki Minaj and Anna Dello Russo. Our team found potential jewellery designers who can provide beautiful accessories for our next

Why is participation in Fashion Weeks still so important for designers? People would think that fashion weeks are the end of the whole season frenzy, but there is something which brands are more looking forward to, even with a drop of fear. Those are the trade shows, where they are actually trying to get down to business and sell the collections. So fashion shows are usually just „fun“ event and a good way to put a deadline for the production – an unforgettable tribute experience for the collection, in a sense. It is not such a big part of the business itself, as it seems, and this year I had the chance to experience it myself because they

Jasper and Csabi at the Seine, close to Louvre. Last day in Paris. 22

season’s fashion show. This means that the two companies could advertise each other and join forces to create something bigger together in the future.

experience without filter the most chaotic and bizarre circumstances – staying at the studio only for two weeks before the fashion show and sleeping on the floor for just two hours per day is what reality in most high-fashion design studios is. So basically, working hard has another meaning for me now.

As a student you realise the importance of making your network as wide as possible at such events, because these people are coming together and you really have the chance to meet them face to face and maybe even collaborate.

In short, fashion brands are looking for interns who are diligent, enduring and most importantly, willing to learn. We all go to internships to better ourselves and you have to be patient, but if you do it right, it definitely pays off. Which part of the education you receive in VIA do you think is the most relevant to the real-life design process? In the beginning of my AP studies, it was really hard for me to see the point of the school projects, which were based on existing brands. Since I am on BA now, I realised that it is not easy to make something out of nothing. With the AP projects you had a stable base to start and draw sources of inspiration. Meaning, the course provides you the skills to build your talent in the specific business environment you would like to work in and be a part of. So now I appreciate my AP degree even more.

Cité de la mode: The venue by the Seine where Tranoï took place Which professional skills do you think are valued the most in the fashion business when hiring interns and young employees?

What is your vision of the future, especially after the Éthologie experience?

I have been hired by Éthologie for only one reason. At the end of my interview, Jasper asked me why did I want to get the place. My answer was that I wanted to improve myself and be the best. I was honest that I have big dreams about the future and I am highly motivated to achieve them. Jasper is a person who knows the importance of dreams, and more specifically, working harder than anyone. He has seen the potential in me, so he was not afraid to be hard on me and show me how the real fashion world looks like for a designer. He didn’t just allow me to take a part of the design process, but also

My main motivation remains unchanged – to have my own fashion company one day. Until I get there, I know I have a lot left to learn. I aspire to invest in experiences from all over the world. I am currently planning my next internship in either France or Italy. I love both languages so that is another reason to keep exploring. Although, personally, I can get distracted really easily and get demotivated by circumstances, my working experience is always a good reminder to where I am headed. Being lazy and choosing 23

AP final photoshoot

the shorter path will not lead me to the success I am looking for. If you think you work hard, you can still work harder. This is what I am trying to tell myself.

future business partners and they can take you places, open the world for you. Last but not least, make a plan! Soon you are going to be alone. School will not hold your hand anymore. Especially if you want your own business, you have to kick your own butt to get out of bed every single morning and work hard for your achievements - nobody will make it happen, but you.

If you could give one advice to students how to survive through their degree and enter the real world of fashion, what would it be? Just give up. (That is Jasper’s favourite motivational quote). I am kidding. Seriously now, I am very lucky to have a mentor like Jasper, so I want to share something I have learned from him: focus only on yourself. Don’t compare your work to anyone else’s. There will always be someone who is better or lesser than you. It is a fact you have to accept. Also, be open and use the time to build your network. The people around you in school could be your

Also, I want to finish with another thing Jasper would say: „Remember - you and Beyoncé are no different. You both got 24 hours a day. You decide how to use those 24 hours. *whispering* Just give up.“ If you want to do something, do it now. You don’t want to make Anna Wintour wait, do you? 25

THE

EXPERIENCE Text by Per Tøffner Knudsen

Ever wondered how it would be to just pack your bags and fly to Asia? Well, if you haven’t, we can bet you’re wondering now. How about mixing this cultural experience with university classes and a challenging internship? Read on to find out more about VIA Design’s unique opportunities in Vietnam and China. WHAT CHALLENGES WILL YOU BE FACING WHEN YOU GRADUATE FROM YOUR STUDIES? VIA Design just published the findings of the Business Survey 2016 this June and the survey concludes the findings of 105 respondents from globally oriented companies within different business sectors. The 5 most important strategic challenges facing your future employers are the following: • Increased Globalization • Increased Professionalism creates business growth • Increased New knowledge is cascading and allocates • Increased Social capital, social intelligence & robustness is needed • Increased skills in communication and digital skills is needed

In order to become attractive as a future employee you should take into account these business challenges into your professional career plan. You should consider accelerating your international knowledge, competence and experience by developing handson professionalism in a relevant foreign business environment, where you train your oral as well as digital communication skills. You will then benefit from extended social skills and professional robustness. The outcome will be a push forward of your future business career. WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER PARTICIPATION IN THE VIA DESIGN TALENT PROGRAM? Major brand owners not only produce their products in Asia but they also set up Brand and Retail concepts there in order to benefit from the Asian economic growth. In 2012 VIA Design started the Talent Program together with Dong Hua University in Shanghai, China, and Hutech University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in order to give you the opportunity to build up an international experience. China and Vietnam were the chosen destinations because these countries have economic high-growth business environments well above the western world. You are able to participate in the Talent Program if you are a Purchasing, Branding or Retail student. The Talent Program applies to 3rd and 6th semester students. This extends your internship program by inclu-

ding lessons in local language and culture for 4 weeks with an internship of 9 weeks. The 3rd semester furthermore includes a 4 week analysis for a local company with the purpose of suggesting improvements of the business model of the company.

HOW TO APP LY â&#x20AC;˘ You must apply in the beginning of March in order to participate in the program for 3rd semester. (Starting middle of August to mid-December, the present year). â&#x20AC;˘ You must apply in the beginning of November in order to participate in the program for 6th semester. (Starting beginning of January to mid-April, the following year). Please be aware there is a maximum of 12 students per program. The approximate fee for participation is DKK 25.000 (includes travel insurance, flight ticket, accommodation, food, vaccines and visa). VIA Design does not cover expenses, but you can apply for educational funding.

For further information including an informational brochure please contact Ms. Helle Ahler, heah@via.dk She is situated in the C-building in Campus Herning.

I internship in # An Interview with the god of internships himself All these kindred souls that have once embarked on a hunt for a good internship know the struggle: the pain and suffering of endless emails and prayers for mercy to the gods of internships. To give up or not to give up – that is the question…

o and behold! People, it’s possible! After having his AP internship in Skagen, Andrew Chow, a VIA Design 7th Semester Retail Management student, managed to make us all jealous once again by hitting if off with Calvin Klein in Hong Kong this summer.

On my quest to find some inspiring newyear-new-me motivation, I managed to track this urban legend - one of the internship gods himself, for an interview to find out what super powers are needed to intern in your calvins and live the Asian sensation to the fullest.

We know you had your 6th Semester internship at Calvin Klein, Hong Kong – what was your department and your daily tasks inside the company? I was working in the Hong Kong Retail Operations team. The main task of the team is to oversee the retail sales of all Hong Kong stores. The team is also responsible for communicating, training, and implementing operational strategies for all stores in the area. My tasks were very different from the rest of the team, as I was hired to come up with O2O (Online to Offline) strategies to improve the company’s online and offline traffic. Thus, my daily tasks included extensive desk and field research, as well as communication with sales assistants.

Since you had one of the most impressive internships we’ve heard about so far, before I proceed with my other questions, I just need to ask you something all of us have been wondering… How did you actually manage to get through in the first place? I got the internship by sending my CV and motivation letter. I believe I sent at least 30 emails before getting a reply from a company. I was lucky with Calvin Klein, as they were looking for summer interns at the time I applied.

China is becoming an extremely popular internship and work destination nowadays – what do you think are the main reasons behind this trend? What makes it attractive to internationals? Simply because of the size of the market. China is arguably the most powerful nation with the biggest opportunity for companies to grow their business. Therefore it naturally attracts students to conduct their internship there, as it strengthens their CVs. In addition, many students would like

#mycalvins Text by Aela Nikolova Photos from Andrew Chow’s personal collection

What were the living conditions in such a populated city as Hong Kong? How hard was it to find accommodation? It was incredibly difficult. A very small room with a bathroom and a bunk bed was 7000kr per month. And that was the best deal.

to travel to Asia, I presume it’s because the culture is vastly different from the one in the West. It is an excellent opportunity to experience something different and gain valuable working experience.

Central Hong Kong Island

A view to Mong Kok Kowloon at night

Even though you didn’t face the language barrier, how would you evaluate your experience from an international student’s point of view? In China students may experience some difficulties, as many mainland Chinese do not speak English. Students will really have to work for an international company in order to make their internship worthwhile. Hong Kong, however, does not have such problems as it was a former British colony.

Is China an affordable student destination? This is a difficult question. It all depends on where you want to go. Big cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing are relatively expensive. However, the lesser known cities, such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou should be affordable.

We all know Calvin Klein as a powerful brand, but how would you describe their current identity and vision? As an employee, what were your impressions on the brand culture? As an employee, I would say that the brand culture is quite positive. For example, we always celebrate birthdays during work hours. At the end of the month, all the people who had birthdays get a little company party and will celebrate together. Also, people have the option to attend different events together, and there are regular trainings for both office and sales employees.

insight into the branding aspects, so you can sell your product effectively. It is all interconnected. In that sense, getting a good internship where you can gain relevant work experience is crucial in order to pursue a career in the future.

A look into the future of Calvin Klein 2020

10 A Farewell banter in the showroom with my colleagues

Did that internship advance your professional skills? How? Yes, it did. It allowed me to plan my own schedule. As mentioned before, I was working on my own most of the time. I had a lot of freedom and flexibility during my internship. Thus, planning ahead and organising my time was crucial if I wanted to make the most out of it.

What keeps you motivated to reach your personal goals and achieve your vision of the

future? I keep myself motivated by performing well in school and constantly seeking to learn by practice to polish my skills set.

What advice would you give to students on the hunt for a good internship? Write a clear, concise motivation letter, making sure the company sees your passion and desire. Previous work experience and volunteering work always help to enhance your CV. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up after a few rejections! Stay determined!

Do you see yourself and your future career any different after the experience? No, I would still like to work in the retail sector. I would also like to gain work experience in buying, as well as marketing, since I realized retail is closely connected to these fields. As a retail manager, you need to have both material knowledge and 30

e n i a r k U m o r f r e t t e L A

An alternative view on experiencing one of the most controversial internship destinations

Text by Aela Nikolova Photos from Aleksandra Pisiewicz’s personal collection

After interviewing Csabi and Andrew about their professional internship experience, I knew I was leaving some pieces of the story untold. I was missing something raw, something personal – a “through the looking glass” kind of tale about an internship abroad. Most of the times, it’s all about experiencing a completely different world, or maybe in the end - about discovering a place where you feel truly alive.

in rave-pulsing Dnipro, living on the border between life and death and the great beauty that comes only with a great poświecenie* (read: sacrifice).

Therefore, in this issue, I decided to present you with a different perspective worth exploring – one about the decision to get lost in the alternative fashion world of one of Europe’s most controversial places – Ukraine. The place where wild stories about partying in the Chernobyl forests meet guys in tracksuits dancing to Hare Krishna in the middle of the capital Kiev; it’s where being truly alive only gets to mean something when you are prescribed the bitter pill of war, twice a day, before mealtime.

Dear Aela,

Let me introduce you to Aleksandra - a 7th semester VIA designer from Poland - who did her internship in a fashion company during war-time Ukraine this summer and went back there to finish her graduate project; in a personal letter, very different from the content we usually publish here. However, I decided that it is a contrast worth sharing – not one about the internship itself, but about one’s personal experience, raw as it is - about falling into the wilderness, swimming naked

What makes Ukraine so special? Wilderness. It hasn’t been shaped yet, it’s theoretically far behind the rest of Europe, but it’s exactly what gives it very special value: freedom. Ukraine is growing to be a capital of centreeastern European fashion; look through the magazines, it’s all screaming: Kiev new ravers, Kiev revolutionary underground style, the realness, the eastern European vibe, 31

the truth. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, the fact is that in Soviet Union times, Ukraine supplied 50% of its textile industry, and one of its biggest knitwear factories, Khreshatyk, was placed in Kiev. Although a few years ago the situation was different - fake luxury, the aesthetics of excess and bad taste were a flagship sign of Ukraine, making it a laggard in the world of fashion. Now, the lack of chain stores such as H&M - cheap but trendy, is not a drawback anymore. It forced Ukraine to create its own style value, leaving a niche for young, independent designers. (For your concern Aela: no Weekday, no Urban Outfitters, no H&M, no Monki, Cos, etcetera. They have only Polish chain stores and Zara). Independent designers which are not, like in DK, ridiculously expensive. If you will ever come to Kiev, go to Vsi Svoi shop, at Khreshatyk. It’s 3 levels of Ukrainian design - perfect quality and unique style at regular prices. Also, the biggest luxury brands see Ukraine’s great potential. In Kiev modern oligarchy might visit Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Ermenegildo Zegna, Balenciaga and the list goes on (and on).

The young generation, enhanced by the Western world’s sense of fashion, plays an important role in developing modernday Ukrainian tastes. Daria Shapovalova, a young daughter of the oligarch class, got famous in the leading popular TV show “Fashion week with Daria Shapovalova”. In 2010 she organized Kiev Fashion Days, today known as Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days. She promotes Ukrainian fashion and young local designers. The needs of the fashion market are strong, and not nearly fulfilled, which creates the perfect space for young Ukrainian designers, trying their best to come into being. On the other hand, the political situation in Ukraine makes big dreams risky. There is a thick line dividing the young, rich generation, with Western values, from the majority of society: being financially unable to maintain even a basic living standard. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia makes the economy unstable, which leads to problems with bank loans and establishing new investments. Ukraine stands on the border between 32

being a young designer’s dreamland of a yet spacious market, waiting for goods, and a provincial, unstable place fenced from the European Union and its possibilities. It’s all a paradox, like EVERYTHING in this country.

Let me introduce you to

The War

The war is somewhere there, but impossible to see at first sight. Everything looks normal: buses, McDonald’s, shops, people going to work, babushkas selling buns with cabbage and potatoes on the street. But then there are small signs: like announcements on the bus informing about collecting medicines and equipment for soldiers fighting in West Ukraine. Announcements going straight after the ordinary ones: buy a ticket, validate the ticket, doors are closing, next stop is Maidan, help our soldiers in the war. A little glitch in reality that makes your heart stop. For half of a half of a second. There was this National Hero Day recently, and I was walking on Maidan. What I saw left me speechless. There were gigantic Ukrainian flags hanging everywhere on metal constructions, the anthem blasting from enormous speakers,

But let me answer your question about why I decided to come here in the middle of the war situation. You know that, as an international student in Denmark, I used to suffer with personal relations. Everyone there is so polite and cold that you want to punch them just to instigate their humanity to show up. But there was one girl in our year, who was absolutely rude and terrible. Her name was Ulyana, from Kiev. We obviously became friends. We used to drink vodka all day long in our Danish village, recalling memories of how it used to be when you are alive. She was talking about Kiev, about some strange spirit of the city, the ghosts and Bulhakov. I just had to come here. And now… About your other question…

thanks to i-D and Vice writing about Shema. Shema is an underground rave party, organized in abandoned industrial places. And yes, it has strong style and all that background story about young people trying to escape from reality. But facing the truth, Shema is for rich kids, and it is mostly about aesthetic stereotypes. Everyone is dressed up to kill, in this Gosha Rubchinskiy style of poverty and the Eastern block. As I said, it is only a stylisation. I have been there, and despite the fact that the music was slaying, it was far from the best party ever. Tons of teenagers on drugs, looking like clones. And no one wanted to share a cigarette with me. I appreciated the open air rave festivals in the forests near Chernobyl way more. It was absolutely wild, no one was giving a fuck about the clothes; I was actually naked, swimming in Dnipro at the sunrise. The water was pulsing from the techno beat. My Ukrainian friends used to say that rave is the new rock’n’roll. And that the whole Kiev keeps the beat alive. To wrap it up, I will answer your question about Ukraine as a place of beheaded ideals. Look - Ukraine is the ultimate country of contrasts. This is where Dolce and Gabbana shops face meat sold from the back of postsoviet cars. A land of girls, stunning with their fake expensive beauty straight out from a doctor’s sleek white office, and babushkas selling their hair. If you are sensitive to Emir Kusturica’s kind of beauty, you will find yourself in heaven here.

and 10 metre high photos of soldiers carrying saint icons. Large outdoor screens were showing the military parade. Something big, something sad. And at the same time, there were people dressed up as minions running around, techno karaoke; a shooting range, trained monkeys on leashes, skaters, and sellers of absolutely everything - from toilet paper with Putin’s face on it, to Pikachu matrioshki. All at once. I understand this was the city centre, a tourist area, but the contrast is insane. My friends told me that during the Maidan revolution, everything else in Kiev stayed normal. The other parts of the city - the McDonald’s, the shopping malls. I know war only from history and general culture. Noble poems and literature. I thought, same as you asked me, that in times of war life stops, to honour something as big as death. How naïve! Enough with this now. You wanted to know about the underground fashion scene, the drugs, the nihilism, the stereotypes, the hedonistic aesthetics of the ugly. I understand - this is a very hot topic now,

However, I remember some moments which brought me inexplicable delight . Once I was going through the forest near Chernobyl, and a car passed me – an old Lada with upholstery made from a carpet. The driver was the oldest of the passengers, I guess he was around 11 years old. They stopped nearby, opened all the doors to listen to Leonard Cohen booming from the radio, and started doing cardio in the middle of the road. 34

The other time I was drinking coffee at Kontraktova, and I saw a Hare Krishna procession - nothing special, except that everyone was wearing tracksuits, and playing the Hare Krishna mantra on accordion. Whatever. I will get personal in the end. I fell into the wilderness completely at some point, stopped living at home; floating with the life of the city, sleeping when I could and where I could, wearing a soviet army cap and thigh-high shoes that I found somewhere. I was walking on the streets of Odessa singing all the most beautiful songs I could remember, in honour of the beauty of the night. I was dancing in an abandoned palace, where gypsy painters that I met were living. I was welcoming the sunrise on an abandoned bridge on Dnipro. The light was red, and the water was green, and the whole world was on fire.

In that sense, the only thing I have left to tell you, is that you have to leave your comfort zone, live the contrasts fully, whenever you can. All you have to do sometimes is to be fearless, and open to whatever comes as an opportunity to experience. And you have to remember to look after yourself and the universes inside you at the same time. Because you know, Aela, great beauty comes only with a great poĹ&#x203A;wiecenie.

Yours, Aleksandra

I have never been happier and more alive than in Ukraine. But it all made me think â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in such a place, when you are so close to life, death also comes close. A death in war, in revolution and in freedom. These are things I felt so vibrant, so real. No internship can give you such a bittersweet pill of reality. 35

Perfect portfolio Text by Ugne Tusaite Illustrations by Natalia Thiel

ear AP (Fashion Design) Student, It is that magical time of the year once again, when everything is blissful and calm. The Holidays are just around the corner and all the happy and fun times are about to begin. Can you smell a sense of hope in the fresh cool air and finally something feels right in your heart? Oh well, hold your horses, my friend, not only winter is coming. Text: Ugne Tusaite

know, it is easier to be said than done, but trust me, once you’ve been in that horrible, caffeine overfilled, no shower or cooked food rabbit hole, there is no turning back from there. Everything feels sad and dark and not worth it. And once in a while you will get these little reminders like a smell of a certain coffee or some special weather conditions that will take you back to that sad place and that is no fun. That is my biggest motivation to get sh…tuff done now... So just take my word for it, it is always worth it to start earlier than later!

It is also that time to start thinking about your future and get your life together, so you can stay in this wonderful cultural capital, the magnet of the tourists, a metropolis called Herning, which hosts our amazing university that is Via Design. Yes, it is the time to starts preparing for BA applications. But don’t freak out, let me try and help you get that blissfulness and joy back. Here is some tips for you to survive the application season!

Creativity

Okay, this might seem a bit too obvious, but is it really? In these upcoming months you will hear a lot about the requirements and what should be in your portfolio, what the measurements should be like, how many pages can you use. And that’s all very useful information, but… Don’t forget that it is not just about fulfilling that list of requirements and making your teacher happy with all the boxes being checked. Try to make that

Time

Let’s start with the basics. I am sorry to break it to you, but in order to make a great portfolio and not end up spending sleepless nights crying and trying to finish it before the deadline, start it as soon as, hm, now! I 36

portfolio the best reflection of who you are as the designer, show them variety of skills you have. Don’t stick just with one style or “medium”. Just because you are great at Illustrator sketches does not mean that your whole portfolio should be surrounded around that. Try to show them that you are capable of doing and using different techniques, even if they are not the best yet, it shows that you are willing to explore it and you have interest to develop yourself even more. By the end of the day, that’s why you are applying for the top-up, aren’t you?

one technique of collage. Show them how you make the color-card and super great mood-boards, and maybe for the next one amaze them with your skills to do some cool sketches and target-group boards. Just keep in mind to show all your tricks, the point is to impress and present how well rounded you are.

Layout

I fear, this is make it or break it, my friend. Sometimes we forget how important it is to tell the story with the portfolio as much as to show your skills. Keep in mind that not only your work has to be creative but also the layout. Make sure to guide your ‘reader’ thoughout your p ortfolio, don’t leave them all lost and lonely there. Create a cohesive mood for it, make sure everything has a similar color scheme or has that red thread that connects that scary first year exam with the great internship project you did. Background is really important, it may help your work pop and look even better than it already is or just… not. Try out different ones, show your classmates, or even teachers (I know they SAY they can’t help you, but…). Get all the feedback you can get, just make sure that you are keeping your own opinion first, at the end of the day you are the editor in chief here.

Process

Yes, I said it, and you will hear that word quite a few more times from me. I really feel like this is one of the most crustal parts of your portfolio. It is easy to put it aside since we usually imagine portfolio being edited, filtered and very ‘final’ product that has no flaws, mistakes, everything has to be perfect. But hold that thought for a minute. Just as much as it is important to show how your final products/designs look, don’t forget to show them how you got there. Your journey is just as important. Show some messy sketches, collages, different experiments that got you to make those final design decisions. It might hurt your perfectionist’s eye and seem like its ruining your perfect edited portfolio vibe, but let’s talk about the layouts a bit later… ALSO, make sure to present different parts of the process in different projects. Remember the variety rule, there is no point of showing them that you are great at doing just that

Let’s go back to that process once again… Even though I just wrote a whole column about how important it is to show it, make sure it looks like a part of your portfolio. Maybe edit those photos a little bit to fit 37

your portfolio mood, place them in certain patterns so it doesn’t look messy and just make sure it looks professional. I know it all sounds quite scary at the moment, but just make sure not to stare at the screen too much. Sometimes it may be helpful to print it out and look at it in ‘paper form’- it may open your mind for some new creative ideas and also give you some nice relief.

I know you are just about to embark on this special journey, but once you will finish it, it will stay just like a weigh dream, where you will question yourself if it really happened. And don’t be too sad about the end of the Holiday season, for most of you the real Santa-Claus present will come via email in June. Work hard and be proud of your work, I am sure, nobody wants to be on Santa’s naughty list this year.

And that’s it. That’s all advice I have to say about this quite scary time in your life. We all have been there and most of us survived.

Bring ideas to life VIA Design

VIA University College

See pictures from projects and every day study life at #viadesign on Instagram.

@viauniversitycollege @via_design

ydepotten, located in the heart of Herning city, is a fashion store that sells clothes for women of all ages. Besides fashion, Jydepotten also sells shoes and accessories. The store has two floors, a total of 500 square meters. Jydepotten has been selling clothes to women for many years, known for their high level of customer service, fashion consciousness and high quality clothes.

Erbs Denmark and many more. Shopping should be easy and convenient, so Jydepotten offers: • Free delivery to parcel shops/post offices • Fast delivery, 1-2 days • Click & Collect • Return in store • 14-day return policy Being a student can be a blast, however every student out there knows the feeling of living on a tight budget and shopping might not always be the first on their TO-DO lis. At Jydepotten, we want to make shopping a little bit more exciting, so whenever browsing through the racks at our store, bring your student card with you and receive 10% off your bill.

The store is located in the middle of the pedestrian street (Bredgade 27-33) and sells many amazing brands, both Danish and International. Jydepotten is a store that has existed for many years and have gained a large consumer base in and outside of Herning. Having customers outside the city, resulted in the idea of creating an online platform, that makes it possible to shop at Jydepotten anytime, anywhere and on any device. Now you can find your favourite brands online, just to name a few: Saint Tropez, Karen By Simonsen, Co’Couture, Soft Rebels, Second Female, Mos Mosh, Y.A.S, Neo Noir,

Visit us in Herning or online at www.jydepotten.dk We look forward to seeing you!

@jydepotten

@jydepotten_herning 40

Text by Cristina Maria with special thanks to Paul McElheron and Claudia Marian Illustration by Plamena Somova Hard classes are just like a vaccine unpleasant, but necessary. Also, much like a vaccine, they might end up saving your life. Paul McElheron, VIA Design teacher, brander extraordinaire and an all ‘round nice guy, says these words like they should be carved in stone, somewhere in front of VIA’s C-building. This is his conclusion after countless talks with students, feedback and his own personal experience. Everyone sees classes differently but, in a conscious manner or not, we all divide them into what he calls “just-in-time” information or ”justin-case”. The former one refers to our favourite classes, the ones that we find most engaging and entertaining, as well as useful. They are exactly what we want to know more about right now and we are perfectly aware

that we will use what we’ve picked up here further down the road when building a career. Ideally, these are your specialty’s core courses and you chose them because they will help you find the kind of job that makes you happy to wake up in the morning.

The latter one is that dreaded microeconomics course or the awful introduction to pattern cutting, the one that makes you wanna kick puppies and call names but which you know, deep down in your heart, that you will need sooner or later. You attend it just-incase, you register the information and do your best to look alive at least if not active. This, fellow readers, is a problem, more exactly of the engagement kind, and it is the responsibility of both teachers and students to fix it. No one said it was easy to take a boring and difficult subject and make it easily

digestible for a class of 25 but, in the words of a monumental Adidas advertisement, impossible is nothing. Feedback is vital and, luckily, VIA Design asks for it at the end of every course. Be honest and thorough with the questionnaires and always make sure to share your ideas for a better course with your teachers.

It’s true that reading a cookbook might be more entertaining, but do a quick Google search - that stuff matters and it will help you understand your industry on a whole new level. Graduates, if you’re reading this, make the best of what your degree has offered you and always pass along some advice.

Claudia Marian, a Branding and Marketing graduate, now working as a graphic designer for an ad agency, echoes the opinions of others in a similar position.

“Of course there will be things that you won’t find any use for while studying. There’s no degree that will match exactly the interests of hundreds of students simultaneously. But I always find that once you finish university, no amount of selfstudy will make up for a classroom environment.” Each and every one of you can be in a different place while reading these words. Some might be close to the end of the first semester, while others are preparing to graduate, but you never know when these few words will come in handy. For all y’ll freshers out there, dreading your first macroeconomics course, try to do your best and listen in class.

find your

passion Text by Odette Charles El-Hayek

Have you ever thought about your life’s inspiration? You think you have it all figured out, but you are not really sure? Or maybe you simply have no idea what, where and how. Both situations are equally confusing. Just follow through and let us introduce you to a simple hack that will put all your New Year’s resolutions in check.

don’t already know who they are). As a normal person avoiding any kind of selfimprovement events, my primal instincts were telling me to ignore it, but considering my desperate situation back then I decided it wa a sign. Next thing I remember is being in a room with lost people just like me, who had careers and lives figured out on first sight, but somehow didn’t feel happy. Among them was Susanne Knudsen, the woman supposed to introduce us to a test and help us through. It all happened really easy. No big inspirational talks or whatever - just Susanne’s personal experience with the test.

First of all, let me tell you something about all those seminar posts floating around on social media. Annoying, right? Well, give them a second thought. I don’t know if it was karma or any other high-spiritual power, but in a very questionable stage of my life an event just like those showed up on my Facebook wall - a ‘Find your passion’ event organized by JCI Herning International (a really useful organization you should add to your ‘to check’ list if you

So, for you, our readers, we have gone all the way back and took a closer look at Susanne, what she does and the test in general. 44

Please introduce yourself to our readers, who you are and what do you do?

their new knowledge and habits in their life. I speak from my own personal experience, as I believe honesty is important, authentic and inspiring, it comforts others to find the knowledge relative to their own life situation. Walking this path myself, I have spent the past 17 years improving my knowledge, tools and exercises. I use them every day in my professional life as self-employed, as well as in my 5 companies (Dansk Telepartner, Din passion, Zinzino partner, Dansk Erhvervsnetvaerk - Business Network, Speakers Mastermind, where I am the co-owner), in my personal life and in my relationships. I master manifestation and insight due to my many education, constantly working with myself; my thought patterns, habits, relations, business and my life-balance.

My name is Susanne and I am a facilitator of healthy choices, meaning I help others in achieving a healthy lifestyle, healthy business, healthy relationships, healthy body, healthy thoughts and healthy stories. Based on inner passion, motivation and a vast amount of energy, I help people and businesses to complete a life-long change, guiding them in life-choices to achieve a business that matches their wishes and goals. I use a holistic approach, as I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe one can realize the great life and be successful, if there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a balance between their 5 key elements: Faith, Foundation, Economy, Relations and Health. Many people believe that if they change something for a brief period of time while participating in personal development, training or a new education, it will bring a long-lasting change in their life and behavior. However, one needs to change their habits and integrate the new elements in their everyday life in order to avoid a return to the status quo. I apply simple, durable exercises and tools to bring ease to my participants in integrating

My talent helps me see the bigger picture, allowing me to notice things and points others are rarely aware of. Meaning, I am an excellent guide for people who desire success and to live their lives following their passions. I have completed cell biology and brain research-studies in the past 2 years, acquiring vast knowledge about how the human brain works. Using this in my lectures and workshops I aim to reach the core of a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complete image.

My inner belief is that everything happens for a reason and it helps me see both the ups and the downs in my life as potential lessons that I actively paraphrase in my teaching methods, as well as in my aspirations to live my life in harmony and being true to myself. I navigate my life through intuition and I take a holistic approach to all my endeavors. In short, I combine all 5 key elements within my actions. 45

Now, this might be a bit of a personal question, but I know you came across the ‘Find Your Passion test’ in an interesting stage of your life, would you like to share your story?

buy Janet’s practice builder program, which is a 6 months’ course providing access to a lot of information and a mentor in the U.S. I knew I stood at a crossroad, so 2 weeks later, I booked a trip to the USA to visit my aunt. In the 14 days I was there, I went through all the material for the practice builder course. It was easy to read and absorb, since Janet has truly provided a vast amount of useful content.

I first met Janet (the test’s creator) around November 2014. It was at a seminar where she was a guest speaker. It was also there that I experienced the Passion Test for the first time, and I was hooked on the spot. My first test showed me some of the things that I already knew deep down, but had a hard time explaining.

How would you evaluate the experience of realizing your real passions? Did it make any change in your life?

I have been living life according to other people’s expectations, and it resulted in stress and depression. It took me only two minutes to decide to take the Passion Test facilitator course. I just knew that it could give me the missing clarity I needed to create exactly the life that I wanted for myself.

Yes, a huge difference. 8 months after I took the Passion Test for the second time, I created the life I wanted for myself. I started 3 new companies, followed by a 4th on the way. I now live two of my passions fully, which are number 1: ‘I have the freedom to follow my heart and dreams’, and number 2: ‘I travel the world’. Now I take the passion test every 6 months and it is the number UNO tool I use as my guide line on how to make the right decisions.

At the time I was running two companies and had created a life with the financial freedom to make the decisions that were right for me. My biggest challenge was the fact that I have been ill for 35 years, an illness that had shown up in many different ways throughout my life. Six months in the three years of being self-employed, up to my meeting with Janet, I went through a broken collarbone, interrupting my sleep for a year. Afterwards it got worse, I was almost unable to run my own companies. And in the end, I found out that I have food allergies causing all my troubles. In February 2015, I was feeling overwhelmed in many areas of my life, so when I took the Passion Test for the second time, I realized that, of course, I couldn’t be healthy as long as I let my illness be the reason behind me not making the most of my passions. This made me take action at the facilitator course and

Now that you are being true to yourself about what you want, how do you act and take decisions in life? Every time I make a new decision I ask myself ‘How will this action will support me in fulfilling my passions?’. I do it for every decision I make.

You are actually certified to perform the Passion Test in seminars and guides related to it. What would you say are the general results according the test? How do people usually react before and after? What are the main questions you usually get asked? We all know our world is changing. Following our passions is no longer a luxury. Studies show that those who achieve enduring 46

success are all passionate about what they are doing. Yet, 4 out of 5 working Americans, for example, are unhappy, unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Only 20% of us are living a passionate life. With the Passion Test, one discovers those things that matter most to them. The test is a simple and profound process which helps them gain clarity about their own personal passions and purpose. Discovering what makes their heart beat is the beginning of living a passionate purpose-filled life.

passions fully? To arrive at the destination, you have to know where it is. Your Passion Pages give you the answer. The 7 Key Principles for Living a Passionate, Fulfilled Life: When I execute the test, usually people are excited to find out what their top 5 passions are; many of them are very uncertain about what they really what in their life. After the Passion test, a lot of people are surprised to see their passions, and many of them make huge changes in their lives.

“When you have a clear mind, what you choose to do will show up in your life but only to the extent of your clearness.”

Could you tell us how can our readers find the ‘Find your passion test’ and go through it? You can take a short and lighter version of The Passion Test on: www.thepassiontest. com. If you are looking for the real test, you need to go through a passion test facilitator consultant.

Janet Bray Attwood, Co-author of The Passion Test.

Having taken Passion Test people know: Their top 5 passions When people identify the top 5 things that are most important to them in their career, all of them achieve success. Does it make sense that knowing your top 5 is the first step to living a successful, fulfilled life? That’s my experience and the experience of those who have taken the test. Their Passion Score : How closely is your current life aligned with your passions? Your score indicates where you have been putting your attention after you score your top 5 passions. Their Markers: How do you know when you are really living your passions? Your Markers are signposts that show you where you are in living your passions. They map the route. We show you how to create your markers. Their Passion Pages : What is life like when you’re living your

Last but not least, what would you advise our readers regarding their own individual passions? Always follow your passions! We only live once and you can create the life you want for yourself, so just do it. Be happy! Live and go all in on your passions!

Text by Regina Tagger Illustrations by Natalia Thiel

Hello, beautiful people! It is 6 degrees outside, it is pouring rain and my phone tells me that the wind is blowing at 29km/h. However, I had one of my best runs today! I wasn’t even running, I almost danced in the rain and the Danish mud! Maybe you are wondering how that is possible… Well, after trying acrobatics, circus training, basketball, athletics, salsa, yoga and tabata, I think I’ve finally found what I love the most - long distance running and cycling! I have also realized that mindset is everything. Of course, there is the physical body, but good health begins with a good

attitude. There was a time I couldn’t walk up to the second floor because I was just physically weak and unable. Today, I am training for a marathon. The healing journey begins with just one simple decision – “I want to be able to do more and feel good”. Then just stick to that promise. I learned to nourish myself with food that doesn’t harm me or anyone else, I draw as much as I can, write as bad as I can, I try to be the best me as much as I can. I’m lucky to have friends who are living life to the fullest – so they are always an amazing motivation. However, sometimes it takes a lot of patience, sometimes I just don’t feel like running and I’ve learned to accept that too. Then I just don’t do it, or focus on something else. Like ride my bicycle for 150km. Trying my best is the least I can do. And this is just the start. My goal now is to run a marathon, because the next one is to hike to Kilimanjaro and you can’t do this without shitloads of stamina, right? Now let me share a few secrets that have helped me to stay motivated and to achieve my goals. 49

There’s a time every now and then when you think “okay, now I can do this, now I’ll start and kick ass and be proud of myself.” You might accomplish things you wanted but when time passes, you find yourself not pleased anymore. Is that situation familiar to you? At least it is to me. Setting big goals may look fancy and it’s cool to say “my goal is to run a marathon / lift a 100 pounds / swim 3 kilometers / hike in Alaska”. Nobody says their goal is to run 3 kilometers or do a 2-hour hike in the weekend - it just doesn’t sound as attractive, but rather easily achievable and unimpressive. But initially, all small efforts should start as goals. You can’t run 42 kilometers if you didn’t have a goal to run 3. You can’t hike the Everest if you haven’t hiked in the nearest national park. First step to not missing your biggest goal is to set small ones. Every time you accomplish a small goal you can take a bigger step and without noticing, you will have reached your final destination - which won’t look as big anymore.

let the inspiration carry you. The time to act is now. Now? C’mon, it’s winter. Maybe in the spring. NO. It is now. Why is spring better than winter? Because then comes summer and you need to look good? For whom? For someone else? That is already the wrong mindset. You have to look good, feel good and do good because of you and yourself only. Everybody else comes and goes, but you will always have your own body and mind. So better work for them and build a masterpiece. Now it seems like too much hard work, right? The thing is, you have a goal now, but after achieving it, life goes on as well. The goal is not the final destination. Healthy living should be a lifestyle, not something you do for half a year. I would also like to point out that there is more to a healthy lifestyle than just sports. Of course, being active is important, but so are good sleep and eating healthy food. When one of those three aspects is neglected, then the other two will suffer as well. So let’s quickly talk them through. Being active doesn’t mean that you have to sweat like crazy every day or your dream must be to become a bodybuilder. There are so many opportunities out there. Living a healthy life doesn’t require you to push yourself off your limits. You can go for a walk, or maybe cycle somewhere further than the supermarket. Sleep at least 7 hours a day. And food – food is your fuel! When you don’t eat, you don’t have energy to conquer the world, same as when you eat unhealthy. Find foods which work the best for you and let them be the fuel to your engine. Also, from time to time, it’s good to give yourself feedback and reflect upon your actions. Then you can actually see how far have you gone, what went well and what would be the next things to work on. Have an attitude of gratitude. There’s no reason to give energy to negativity. Feed the vibes you want to attract, work hard and be kind, not only to your body, but, most importantly, to others as well.

It’s important to be honest with yourself. Ask if the things you do make you happy – sincerely and completely happy. Does sitting on a couch make you feel your best? Does this food you eat give you superpowers and the best feeling for a whole day? If the answer is no, then the next step is to find out why you’re still making the same choices. It’s not easy to break old habits, but it’s possible. It is always great to find an inspiration to act differently, but it’s also important to remember that the real value comes when you act upon it, otherwise it becomes meaningless. Fill yourself with every positive thing you can find within yourself, however small, and 50

Make Space!

For good stuff to come Text by Aela Nikolova

As you have noticed throughout this issue, it is all about finding that little spark of inspiration to actually make a plan for your life and stick to it, and get all these â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Year resolutionâ&#x20AC;? advices depressingly circulating on social media happen for you this time FOR REAL.

ruth be told, we are constantly being flooded with success stories, motivational advice, selfhelp content and tons of new-year memes; actually, as you might have noticed – coming up with a successful resolution plan and how to hold on to your future goals is the theme of our issue. However, every coin has two sides, so let me take you through the looking glass once again and tell you a little story, and you can help me find the moral in return. There we go.

down. She did not have the desire to do anything anymore. Thankfully, a friend of hers came into her room and exclaimed: “What the hell are you doing with all these schedules?! No wonder you are depressed! Let’s burn everything out – MAKE SPACE, girl! There is no space for good things in this room, and I definitely don’t want to know how it’s like in your head!” So he made her take a candle, and burn everything – all schedules, timetables, to-do lists, even her 3-year ahead life-timeline (yes, she had one), and throw them out of the window. And you know what? She actually enjoyed it. She realised she has been so obsessed with her tasks, that they were all in her head, all the time, so much that they had become unnecessary.

Once upon a time there was a girl living in a tiny cluttered room under the roof, and her desk space was so small that it felt suffocating, moreover, it was covered by sheet after sheet of used paper, scribbled with endless to-do lists, squeezed in tables and time schedules, covering the walls, rolling on the floor, even written with chalk on a DIY blackboard. The girl wanted to live her life to the fullest, meaning - she believed scheduling her time will help her put order in her head, make her wake up in the morning and keep her mundane life in check, giving her the temporal pleasure of scratching things off her lists with the satisfaction that she actually did her best to be a superhuman living to his full potential. Gradually, the lists became more of enemies than friends, silent dictators with tasks filling up the sheets with more and more undone regrets piling up and spilling out of her brain. The girl was so ambitious, that her own aspirations were too exhausting, too demanding and always made sure to remind her every single day how much she did not achieve. Until, one beautiful day, she just broke

So? What is the moral of the story? Not to make lists? Not to plan your life? Live by this Japanese minimalistic trend where people have no furniture, own one fork, one knife and one spoon, and something like 50 possessions in total? Take a huge garbage bag, fill it in and donate everything, without the slightest remorse, consequently sleeping on the floor covered by a kitchen cloth? Or practise Zen-Buddhism, realise that “desire is the source of all suffering” and stop following all oh-so-perfect lifestyle bloggers who have a blast waking up perfectly made up to eat their Kilimanjaro-view breakfast every morning? I don’t know. I have always hated the moral of the story. However, if you ask me, the girl is still struggling with the crowded space in her own head - burning her lists did not make her a tabula rasa, 52

as much as she had wished to. But it was a start. Not that I am saying that we need not plan or aim high and yolo around aimlessly. Nor can I provide any inspiring example from my own experience. All I am saying is that maybe, sometimes, from time to time, it is healthy to say f-it. That it is okay not to have found your passion yet, to have trouble sticking through resolutions, to feel down or not be the second Oprah. It is perfectly fine to not have figured out a way yet how to empower others to do something cool or socially good. I simply believe that it is important to keep learning, be open to change and have a personal opinion, at the same time holding a realistic view mostly towards ourselves - before we start projecting our demands on others or the world that surrounds us.

ing d n e r e v Ne t To - Do Lis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o

New Year is the time we count our blessings. But let’s instead of counting and holding on to the past, just make some space for good stuff to come, as the girl’s friend said. Let’s unclutter our lives from the things that hold us down! Try not to overburden ourselves with plans and schedules that suffocate us. Burn what we don’t need, literally or metaphorically. Learn to say no. One step at a time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o

And, most importantly, keep doors unlocked – how else would change enter our lives?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o . o ............... 53

The Winter Traveller’s guide to Denmark Text by Alexandra Munteanu Illustrations by Olga Mangurova

There are quite a handful of attractions and sights to see in Denmark, that no traveler should miss. No matter your interests and curiosities, you will find many traveling points in Denmark, even in winter time.

places

to visit There are many interesting cities in Denmark that will for sure captivate you – particularly during the holidays, when the city life is taken over by a special atmosphere and spirit. Be it Copenhagen or Århus (the European Cultural Capital of 2017), Aalborg or Silkeborg, Odense or Vejle - the food is savoury, there is always a nice place around the corner where you can have some hygge time with tea or traditional hot wine, and explore the interesting options Christmas time Denmark has to offer. 54

Practical

information During winter time, make sure you wrap up in comfortable clothes that will keep you warm when you are on the move – thick winter jackets, comfy sweaters and trousers, winter footwear and a warm hat. Pack scarves and gloves, woolen jerseys and long sleeve tops, thick socks and whatever you find fit, because it is usually quite cold, as well as breath-takingly windy. Also, raincoats or a small umbrella could be stuffed somewhere in your luggage. If you’re looking to travel on a budget, check for the best hostel offers or browse platforms like AirBnb in search for the best fit for you. You can save some extra money if you share rides, using Blabla Car or GoMore, for example. Of course, Facebook groups are a place to look at in search for ridesharing in-between cities as well.

Our personal choice is one of the most popular Copenhagen attractions at this time of the year - the Christmas Market in Tivoli Gardens. Mesmerizing for both adults and children, its already abundant visual sceneries are decorated to express the massive holiday cheer of Christmas, making it an experience not to miss. Depending on how many days you wish to spend while traveling in Copenhagen, you can add to your to-see list a variety of museums, castles, concerts, boutiques or cozy cafes, also sure to reflect the festive spirit of the city. Should you be in the mood to explore the natural beauty of Denmark – there are many alluring landscapes with breath-taking winter scenery. These destinations might be the exact break from the city that you longed for, so do not hesitate to also experience the Frozen-like beauty of Denmark’s natural sightseeing spots. Let’s take Skagen for example, a sand split which is the meeting point between Kattegat and Skagerrak seas. Nearby, you can take a walk on Råbjerg Mile – one of Europe’s biggest migrating sand dunes, or Fur Island, a small island in the Limfjord, full of captivating geological formations and varied landscapes.

Regardless of the destination you pick, may you travel nicely and experience Denmark to the fullest! 55

Text by Cristina Maria Illustrations by Odette Charles El-Hayek

hh, hygge, the most elusive of words. Denmark’s pride and joy, besides those little stripey vases that everyone and their uncle seems to have. No matter how hard you try or what language you end up using, you just can’t explain this word without sounding like a starry eyed poet. Cosy? Close, but not nearly there. Comfortable, snug? Yeah, we admire your perseverance.

Wanna know the reason for this lexical mess? As corny as it might sound, hygge means something different for everyone. Read on to see how your fellow Herning dwellers feel about it, but most importantly add in your own. Use the hashtag #focushygge, tag us on Instagram or Facebook and we just might have a chance of finding the meaning of hygge - right in time for the hygge-est holiday of all!

Weronika Matyjas, Branding & Marketing Student

Plamena Somova, Fashion Design Student

For me hygge is feeling fully comfortable and accepted. It is a feeling I get when I can be myself and when I am doing what I really want to do at that particular moment. Nothing more, nothing less.

So, the way I see it, hygge is, for example, spending the cold winter evenings at home with my family, being warm and cozy, putting on the Christmas decorations together, looking forward to the upcoming holidays, and, lastly, feeling the smell of cinnamon and oranges.

Oana Toudut, Branding & Marketing Student For me hygge is the warm feeling I get when I stay with my loved ones, my family and my friends. I think there’s nothing more hyggelig (I think that’s how you say it haha) than enjoying a good conversation with the people you care most about. 56

Anne-Louise Degn Hansen, VIA Design Administration

Pia Hansen, VIA Design teacher Hygge - many people think it has to do with candles and cake, but i think that it is more of an atmosphere and sometimes you can even feel hygge in the classroom. It’s when students are doing group work and everyone feels at ease, comfortable and occupied in a task or discussion, next to their peers.

For me, “hygge” is many things. In summer it’s sitting on the terrace with friends, enjoying a nice meal and a glass of wine. It’s sitting on the grass seeing my children play and laugh in the garden. In winter, it’s lighting the fireplace, looking into the flames while talking with my husband. It’s sitting on the sofa with the whole family (2 adults and 3 children) watching a good movie and eating popcorn. Hygge is inviting the bigger family over for buns, hot cocoa and birthday cake. Or inviting friends for “æbleskiver” (small cake of batter cooked over the fire in a special kind of pan) and “gløgg” (a kind of Christmas punch) in December.

Andrejka Kubal’áková, Branding & Marketing Student Hygge is Denmark; smiling people on the streets, nice jibberjabber with strangers and warm coffee when you come home after a rainy bike ride - which is just about every bike ride.

Nanna Knak Sondrup, Branding & Marketing Student

Denitsa Ivanova, Branding & Marketing Student For me hygge implies a cosy, comfortable, warm and fuzzy atmosphere or energy. That moment when it’s raining outside but you are in front of a fireplace at home with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket and having a great time with your family or close friends.

To me it is the feeling of home. Not that you actually are home, but that you have the same comfort and relaxed state of mind, as if you are there. It is the feeling of belonging, being a part of something… something great, interesting, fun, entertaining. It is the feeling of family and friends, the feeling you get when you hug someone really close, or are completely relaxed in their comfort and are not afraid to open up and be yourself. Hygge is both the intimacy and the comfort of other people, and it happens both in silence and noise. Personally, for me it’s when I walk my dogs with my significant other, or play a boardgame with friends or watch tv with my dad. All of it is hygge: safe and comfortable. That’s how I describe it best.

TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE THROUGH YOUR DEGREE Text by Aela Nikolova & Ugne Tusaite

VIA Design veterans share their wisdom on what you need to rise and shine through your individual field of awesomeness. Dear 1st semesters, welcome to your brand new world. On the verge of the new year, the real VIA Design experience is about to begin for you soon, when you are all going to be divided in the “real deal” classes of your own specialities. To get some idea of what lies ahead, we have collected a few golden tips & tricks from our fellow experienced students – enjoy and… may the odds be ever in your favour! 58

BRANDING AND MARKETING MANAGEMENT

Denitsa Ivanova, 7th Semester Start early! Plan your work flow (realistically) and keep in mind that the all-nighters and the "everything is possible with 4 Red Bulls" mindset right before the deadline might not be your best bet if you are striving for a good grade. Plan time for potential "writer’s block" moments and always have a plan B. You will not be a 24/7 writing machine. Learn how to accept and learn from constructive criticism. It will come in handy even after student life is over and you have to deal with... well, real life. Last but not least - everything will be alright! Whatever you are going through, do not worry, it will be okay.

Miguel Garcia semester

Sanchez,

5th

1. Don't expect to get to the top during your first work/professional experience. Things take time to bloom, either under the sun or the Danish rain. 2. My father used to say: ''Shut the fuck up and keep on working''. When you’re a teenager it doesn't feel too Aela Nikolova & Ugne Tusaite but this has become a usual phrase I tell myself nowadays, and by that I mean that without repetition and failure, nothing gets mastered. 5. Eat properly, have a healthy diet. Eating shit on a weekly basis will not do anything but harm you physically and psychologically. Have some healthy fat-rich foods and don’t forget to carry some water with you – it really does influence your mood and energy levels. Also, find a stressrelease channel! 4. Don't feel sorry for yourself. And don’t expect anyone else to either. So don't waste too much time getting stuck in the past or thinking of how to have a better future. Start moving and gain momentum instead.

Irina Budac, 5th semester 1. Whenever you find yourself close to a deadline and panicking, just remember that sleeping is optional and a general waste of time. 2. When the freshmen start school every semester, keep your eyes wide open. For designers it is basically the start of a hunt for tall, pretty, skinny people! It is the hunger games, people. Be prepared. 3. Be smart with your money, print at the library. Spend your money on something that will help you cope with upcoming stress, meltdowns and sleepless nights.

FASHION DESIGN

Rielle Magnee, 7th semester 1. Search for good looking Tinder dates while you still can. There will be no time for fun later. 2. Practice your drinking skills to keep up with the Danes. Learn to be productive with a hangover, you gotta nail that shit!

Csaba Toviskes, 5th semester Just give up now, before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too late.

Luca Levai, 5th semester 1. Patterns are your best friend. It takes a minute to get to know each other, though - so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get discouraged right away. Keep them organized, they might come in handy later on, too! 2. Prepare to spend some late hours in D Factory. Keep a blanket and a pillow in the workroom in case of late nights! 3. Be focused and organized, but also have some crazy days when you do something completely different. Go out or just rest, those days sometimes end up being the most creative! Fresh minds are always full of ideas!

PURCHASING MANAGEMENT

Belinda Anscomb, 7th semester

Roy Ramlal, 5th semester 1. If you like to buy stuff, Purchasing Management is the right specialty for you... And if you don’t... you should start buying more stuff right now! 2. You have to be prepared to read a lot! Be super organized because the studies have large independent workloads and also because it will be a skill which will come in handy down the road.

1. If you don’t like coffee, better start liking it! Long hours and late nights will make it your savior! 2. Go to Åbyhøj Stog Shop in Aarhus for excellent guidance in choice of fabrics and a comprehensive selection of materials. 3. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers and fellow students for opinions – we are all here to learn! It’s not a competition, but a place to explore and develop your skills. 4. Praise yourself for the work you hand in, don’t always be a Sceptical. 5. If you haven’t cried once or twice in school because of pressure or things going wrong, you haven’t been a student. Know that it’s okay to have a breakdown once in a while, and that others have them, too. 6. Keep your patterns under lockdown and save them until the whole project is done. You never know which to throw away and which you’ll need right before handing in. 7. If you have spare time after a project, spend the day helping pressured classmates – perhaps one day you will be the one in need of a small favour!

Caroline Rulis, 5th semester I’m not sure how exactly I’ll survive this BA, haha! Probably with the help of my “Herning Family”. I don’t think I could do it without them! So make sure to find one for yourself too.

Amanda semester

Kjupers,

PATTERN DESIGN

5th

1. Since the Purchasing Management classes are small, get to know each other; this way you can have a better working environment while reading tons of articles and doing thousands of calculations. 2. Having an awesome group of friends, to have wine dinners with after a long day and/or week at the university is a life-saver!. 3. Going to boxing class (or something similar that works for you) helps you to disengage and release all your frustrations. 61

RETAIL DESIGN

Izabela Szymanska, 7th semester

1. Say hello to your new best friend: retaildesignblog. com 2. Programs you should master: a) ADOBE – Illustrator and Photoshop is a must! b) 3D Programs – during your education at VIA you will probably get familiar with SketchUp but there are many great programs waiting for you! Go to Autodesk.com and get your 3-year FREE student license for programs like MAYA or AutoCAD! 3. Get this book: “Architects’ Data” by Ernst and Peter Neufert. It includes the principles of the design process, basic information on constructing, as well as illustrations and descriptions with measurement of the wide range of elements used to create any retail space. 4. Any idea is a good idea. Collect them all - in a folder for future projects! Maybe there will be an occasion to use the designs that didn’t really suit with your project at the time – if not, you can always see what a weirdo you were while reflecting on your development as a student. 5. Inspiration is everywhere. During my trips I see a lot of good ideas for design solutions. I take a lot of photos and store them in my Pinterest folder, my private inspiration bible. Remember – taking inspiration from one place is called plagiarism – taking it from many different places is called research. 6. Practice! Sketching is not for everyone – but every designer should practice that. Having your own style makes a great impression, especially when you sketch your first design ideas in front of a client. 7. Try to develop your own style for the elements of your process book and designs - from brainstorming sessions, mood boards and collages, to fonts, arrows and the color of your pen – make it all visually beautiful and unique. Also, don’t compare yourself to others – sometimes you just have to do your thing. 8) Less is more! Amen. 62

RETAIL MANAGEMENT Dalmi Parajdi, 5th semester 1. Retail is one of the most theory-based specialties we have on campus. If you want it to make sense for you in terms of applying your knowledge to practice, find professional experience to relate the theory to in real life (a retail-related job, extracurricular activities, etc.) 2. Read the literature! Do yourself, your fellow students and your teachers a favour and prepare for class. It’s so much nicer when a lot of different opinions can be heard on a subject. 3. Invest in experiences! Go out there and enjoy all the events taking place around you, meet people, be open. Keep yourself busy it’s the best way to survive in here.

Maria Ramos, 7th semester 1. When working on your assignments, remember: “your first idea is not the best one”. Sit in the front row in class. 2. Learn from others... You are not always right. As a manager... “manage your shit first before managing others”. 3. Consumer, consumer, consumer! Location, location, location. Retail is detail! 4. Balance your social life with your assignments. Keep in mind that networking is important. 63

MATERIAL SCIENCE & PRODUCT DESIGN Anna Moissejeva, semester

5th

1. Despite the “design” in the name, it’s an engineering education. It’s a small field so stick together and avoid burning bridges. 2. Stay focused and open during teamwork sessions. And, most importantly - have patience! 3. Be curious and invest time in exploring new opportunities. The textile industry is constantly growing in terms of new developments. 4. Make sure to communicate with other students who aren’t from your course or university as much as possible! So here you go, this is the ancient knowledge that has been passed on to you! Be smart and cherish it, there are no excuses to fail anymore. We hope this article reached your heart and made all your worries go away! Get excited about these few adventurous years that hopefully will prepare you for the “oh so easy” life after university. So saddle on, cowboy, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Sweeten your chri st m s a

Text by Csenge Anna Illustrations by Odette Charles El-Hayek

Looking for some recipes in case you want to invite your friends over for a cosy Christmas dinner on a budget and you have to do it VERY fast? If you want to amaze people with some traditional Danish specialities, but still keep it budget-friendly, then this one is for you:

Sukkerbrunede kartofler basically caramelised potatoes

PREPARATION (4PEOPLE) 4 First, rinse the potatoes in cold water and drip them dry while you are melting the sugar in a frying pan until it looks goldish. When you have your golden sugar add the butter and the potatoes in the mix. Stir them and put your potatoes into a pan until they become shiny and brown. Stir them again from time to time to have an evenly baked outcome. There are your golden brown potatoes! Congrats - you are ready to wow!

INGREDIENTS 1 kg small potatoes (boil and peel them first) 85 g sugar 75 g butter

CINNAMON

cinnamon

Cinnamon cookies are kind of mainstream for Christmas - I know; but they are still the best choice - everybody should know how to easily prepare this “old but gold” hyggelig snack!

PREPARATION Now listen carefully, you have to heat your oven to 190 degrees. Put 1 1/2 cup of sugar together with the butter, the vanilla and eggs. Mix them in a bowl into a smooth consistency with a spoon. When the mixture becomes creamy, pad your flour, baking soda and salt into the bowl, while still stirring it.

INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon half cup margarine (or butter) Cinnamon (who would have guessed) 1 and a half cups of sugar 2 eggs 2 and a half cups of flour 1 teaspoons of baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon of salt

Then, in another bowl, mix the other 2 teaspoons of sugar together with the cinnamon. Shape the dough to balls in the size you want to - the bigger the ball, the bigger the cookie will get (I know, I know, this might sound inappropriate for a recipe, but for cookies it’s seriously the bigger the better). Add the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place your dough balls 5 cm apart on a large baking paper sheet. Bake them for around 15 minutes until they are light brown. When they are done remove them really quickly from the sheet. Now if you want to make them look really fancy, melt some chocolate and put it in stripes on top. It is now time to satisfy your inner Cookie Monster and hit it off with the cookies you have just made! 65

This Focus issue belongs to .........................................................

Proudly sponsored by

eL t’s

conquer t he

Wor ld!

So far, FOCUS Student Magazine has... done some sightseeing in Sc hwerin

Schwerin

Corfu

New York climbed to the Rockefeller Centtop of er in New York

enjoyed breakfast with a view in sunny Corfu. If our magazine is traveling with you...

1.capture a photo with it 2.POST IT ON INSTAGRAM 3.MARK THE LOCATION 4.tag it with #FocusAroundTheWorld ...and we’ll make sure to publish the best ones!

Tallinn changed business contacts in Tallinn

Barcelona and literall of itself in yBlearftc a mark elona!

Ready, steady, travel!

issuu.com/focusmagcampus instagram.com/focusstudentmag facebook.com/FocusStudentMagazine