Jean Kee

As my university career draws to a close, the mad rush to get everything done snowballed into a week of not sleeping. Not only was it finals for the quarter, it was finals forever (not to sound dramatic, of course). And this meant preparing for our annual School of Design Exhibition, showcasing the work from all graduating students in the Industrial Design Program for all families and friends to attend.

Held at our very own Gulfstream Center of Design for the first time, we wanted to go out with a bang. So alongside 6ft posters of our work, there was live music from our very own SCAD students, hor d'oeuvres, and an iPad-equipped "photo-booth" mock-up for those candid shots.

As sleep-deprived as we were, it was worth it. A song was dedicated to the professors of the department (who stayed up alongside us to help organize the show) for being the reason for our success. Your Jean Kee has finally grown up!

The perks of being in an art school? Collaboration between the different creative fields!

Pieces from my In Essence jewelry collection were featured in Re: Magazine's Spring 2012 publication, The Extreme Issue. Re: Magazine is an up-and-coming high fashion, art, and culture magazine produced by SCAD students on a professional level. Compliments to Aaron Bernstein, founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine!

To view the entire publication, go here: www.re-savannah.com

Leaving Atlanta in the wee hours of Sunday morning, it was then off to D.C. Three pieces from my In Essence jewelry collection were selected to be exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show in the National Building Museum and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to see the show.

Arrived the morning of the 15th to gloomy, rainy weather and left Monday morning, arriving back in Savannah just in time for my 2pm class. Whew!

Continuing the jetsetting marathon I embarked on this month... representing SCAD at the 2012 Student Merit Awards in the IDSA Southern District Conference held in Atlanta. Congratulations to Reid Schlegel from Virginia Tech, winner of the 2012 Student Merit Awards!

Touching everyone's hearts with my passion meant more to me than winning and I could not have done it without the support of my fellow SCAD mafia mob behind my back [you know who you are]... thank you SO much for helping me learn, fall and grow again.

A collaboration between Metals & Jewelry and Fashion, 6 SCAD students, myself included, organized and curated a private exhibition of our work in a beautifully restored house in the Historic District of Savannah. With live music, h'orderves and a mini runway in motion, it was a great success... with the exception of a minor detail - I had to fly halfway across the world that weekend to attend my brother's wedding in Japan. But I digress.

Finishing up dual-major at SCAD, I began with my jewelry major first, creating an 8-piece collection of forged metal called In Essence. This was conceptualised, designed and fabricated over the course of 20 weeks, with an exhibition of all senior students jewelry at the end of this period. Mirror Finish is the said exhibition, featuring the work of 23 jewelry students, myself included, in our very own studio building.

The majority of us continued to perfect our collection even after the exhibition was over, but it was a great moment in time that captured our drive, dedication and passion in the creative field of metals and jewelry.