Please be part of us in celebrating this month’s highlight floor designer, Brie Bobalek. We all know you’ll discover her story inspiring!
Please introduce your self.
Since I used to be younger, I used to be all the time concerned in numerous types of creativity. My mother and father enrolled me in my first dance class on the age of three as a result of they noticed how a lot I’d gentle up and dance each time music performed. I worth the truth that they acknowledged my ardour, and I’m grateful they allowed me to pursue it.
As I obtained older, I discovered myself drawn to style and artwork simply as a lot as dance, and I’m genuinely satisfied my inventive endeavors performed a major function in shaping the particular person I’m at the moment.
I dwell in NYC and I grew up in Midland, a boring small metropolis in Michigan, surrounded by my 16 siblings (together with my mother and father’ 4 organic youngsters, and the 13 they adopted.) Agewise, I fall proper within the center. Nevertheless, regardless of being the center youngster, which tends to have the fame of being forgotten… I used to be all the time engulfed in lots of love and doted on whereas rising up.
My inventive nature allowed me to face out in my household and affectionately labeled me by my grandma as “the black sheep of the household that glitters.”
Inform us a bit of bit about your design journey.
Once I moved to New York, my ardour for style was intensified by town’s vibrancy. I labored as a wardrobe stylist, freelancing and helping on varied tasks equivalent to commercials, photoshoots, editorial shoots, and impartial movies. Then at some point an expensive pal of mine who works as a set designer wanted assistance on set. I provided to help, and earlier than I knew it, what was initially speculated to be a short-term challenge became me serving to on set on a regular basis.
Whereas engaged on set for a Victoria’s Secret Vacation industrial, as an alternative of dressing the fashions, I dressed the room. What trinkets and tchotchkes can we use to tie the room collectively? What parts convey an ambiance that embodies a colourful, cozy vacation vibe? Is there lighting over right here? What ought to we put over there? Inevitably there’s a lot to consider when designing a set and creating the look of a room.
Similar to placing an outfit collectively, a room is made up of separate parts that when united, turn into larger than the sum of their components. I began to fixate on the small print of those components. The art work on varied materials, and completely different wallcoverings intertwined into patterns. I’d assume to myself… I can draw however puzzled how I’d switch my drawings from paper to cloth and morph them into patterns.
As I delved deeper into this newfound obsession, my thoughts raced extensively with concepts whereas making an attempt to type them into options. Google, Skillshare, YouTube, then Google once more.
Regardless of my extreme dyslexia, I spent numerous hours taking up the problem of studying Adobe Artistic Cloud applications, which proved troublesome however worthwhile. My days and nights consisted of me being at work, or at house studying. Although I generally felt immensely overwhelmed, I by no means stopped being decided. It’s what saved me going.
And now right here we’re at the moment. I’m a floor sample designer, chasing after my inventive desires to collaborate with different creatives and license my work.
Do you’ve got a favourite portfolio design or shopper collaboration?
My favourite design isn’t the design itself, however the story behind the design. I used to be requested to design a sample for a really pricey pal who was getting married in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She wished a unusual interpretation of the Copacabana sidewalk together with two parrots, as they’re identified to be lovebirds who mate for all times.
She instructed this sample was to be cohesively used all through the week of her marriage ceremony. The whole lot from the menus, welcome playing cards, celebration favors, seashore towels, flip flops, tote luggage… even a blown-up model of the sample for the dance flooring.
General the sample introduced a way of unity and concord to the couple’s huge day tying every little thing collectively in a lovely constant method. The explanation that is one in all my favourite design tales is due to how a lot she liked the design, and I nearly didn’t ship it to her as an possibility as a result of I didn’t prefer it.
The truth that she selected the one I nearly didn’t ship ended up being an enormous design lesson for me! Although I won’t like one thing, doesn’t imply the shopper will really feel the identical method.
What or who’re you impressed by?
Individuals, music, style, and journey have repeatedly been elementary facets of my inventive design course of.
Individuals can function a wealthy supply of inspiration as a result of every particular person possesses a novel persona and story that usually ignites my curiosity to study extra.
Music — I’d die with out music. It’s a major affect. The emotive energy of music evokes so many feels! It types reminiscences and brings pleasure, pleasure, and disappointment… music positively lets me faucet into my feelings.
Style and journey broaden my perspective and encourage me always. Inspiration is in all places.
Do you’ve got sources you’d wish to suggest?
Really feel Free journal by Leanne Ford is {a magazine} I like to recommend. It celebrates the wonder in imperfections and is total such an excellent vibe.
What do you love to do outdoors of floor design?
Residing in NYC could be very inspiring so you may all the time discover me strolling. I stroll in all places within the metropolis. It’s an excellent easy pleasure I actually take pleasure in. I additionally love catching up with buddies over drinks and a pleasant dinner someplace. I’ve actually been craving an evening out for dancing. It’s been some time. I like to bounce.
If you look again at your design journey to date, what are you most happy with?
I’m happy with myself for not giving up. Life comes with highs and lows, and I’ve had some actually unbelievable lows. These are the occasions I wanted to consider in myself essentially the most, and fortunately I did, and nonetheless do.
When you might supply recommendation to different designers who’re struggling, what would that be?
Don’t hand over! If it’s price it to you, then struggle for it irrespective of how difficult it will get. Preserve placing within the work, consider in your self, and don’t neglect to rejoice the small victories.
The place can we discover you?
Web site: www.briebobalek.com
Instagram: @brie_bobalek