Jean Kee

Five years ago, I jumped on a plane to come to SCAD, scared and excited at the same time. And now? I have a double BFA in Industrial Design and Metals & Jewelry. But I am still scared and excited. For as I close the door on my university education, another opens - entering the life of the working world.

Being awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Industrial Design was a pleasant surprise. Coupled with having 3 tassels the colors of Mardi-Gras (which I still insist the purple one was a mistake), I still can't believe it... I'm DONE.
                                                                                                                                                      For now, at least.

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

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.

Due to my pursuing 2 design degrees, this summer was spent taking classes, so that I could graduate on time in 2012, but also 2am trips to the Tybee beach, Savannah, where we played with fireworks. Props to Tim Hutto for capturing the good memories on camera, and Kristen Albrecht, for having the guts (or just being plain foolish) to go swim in the sea with me!

No matter how cliched it may be, work hard, play hard, will always be one of the values I live by.