Entrepreneurs Kimberly Adams, fashion designer and owner of Slim Pickings Designs and Shonte Walton, interior designer and owner of Fabric and Finish Design Co. graciously volunteered their time and talents. Students were inspired to learn of these ladies' life journeys, the twists and
turns that brought them to Nashville and to discover the many facets of a career in the field of design.
Adams, whose experience has included working with famous people like President Barack Obama, encouraged students to realize the opportunities all around them.
"Everyone wants to work with celebrities, but you should know that there are plenty of everyday people who desire unique clothing and you can also be the one who designs for them!" A highlight of Ms. Adams' time with students was leading them in an inspiring chant of "If you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work!"
"When I was your age, I didn't even know there was such a thing as an Interior Designer," said Ms. Walton pointing to a photo of herself in the second grade.
She explained that interior designers develop plans for different spaces according to their clients' needs and style. They plan how furniture will be placed as well as the colors, curtains, lighting, pictures and other details. Walton passed around fabric swatches, taught students what a rendering is and even how to read a floor plan!
Students were eager to take the design reins for themselves as they imagined and drew colorful attire onto their paper mannequins. Crayons and
colored pencils strewn across tables as students found just the right shade and shape. Our aspiring interior designers carefully crafted colors and patterns onto their own rendering of a living room proudly signing it on the blank labeled "Designer." Students were then encouraged to present their design as if doing so to a client.
The whole experience truly helped bring the concept of design to life for our students. Thanks again to Fabric and Finish Design Co. and Slim Pickings Designs for your support of Alex Green Design Technology Magnet Elementary School.
If you would like to volunteer to share your career journey with our students please contact April Greene or Kay Simpson.
Alex Green Design Technology Magnet Elementary is a traditional MNPS public school serving Pre-K through 5th grade students from across Davidson County. We believe that all children deserve to have opportunities and experiences that expand their vision of who they are and what they may become. Our Design Technology magnet theme exposes children to a different way of thinking, interacting and dreaming. Developing friendships with people from different races and backgrounds is foundational to preparing students for college and career and creating more accepting, loving and kind citizens. To learn more about our school and to schedule a tour contact Kay Simpson.