At Owatonna High School, new elective classes are added to the curriculum to enhance students’ skill set and abilities further past what they already know. One of those new elective classes added this school year was Design Studio. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to advance their understanding of interior design or fashion concepts, after already taking the Interior Design or Fashion Merchandising & Design class.
The idea behind creating this class was simple for OHS Family and Consumer Science teacher Ms. Lisbeth Magdaleno-Garcia. She said, “I feel like there’s not enough classes for everyone’s interests, so I felt like this one [Design Studio] would be the best way to help students still continue their learning from the level one of fashion and level one of interior [design].”
The Design Studio class is able to incorporate the elements and principles of design to create a project of their choice. These projects are split into separate categories based on each student’s interest. One can decide to work on one of the many portfolios which include, sewing and apparel, visual merchandising, interior design, fashion product development, embroidery, costume and set design, color analysis, upcycled fashion, product launch campaign or a career path of choice.
This class is able to allow students to have independent work time and pace themselves along the way, with the plan that they created for themself. Senior Claire Noble said, “My favorite part is just being able to have a class to create and have a stress free, fun class.”
Each student selects a main project of their choice based on the portfolio that they selected. Senior Ellie Vortherms selected the sewing and apparel portfolio, allowing her to make a quilt, tote bag and a matching pajama set. Vortherms said, “I chose the sewing portfolio because my grandma and a bunch of my other family members know how to sew and I just wanted to learn as well and I think that sewing is a good skill to have just for learning how to fix things.”
Another student that has really enjoyed this class so far is Sophomore Macey Jensen. She said, “I picked the upcycled fashion [portfolio] because I love upcycling. I do it at home a lot and I really just wanted to up my skills in sewing.”
Jensen’s project is made out of upcycled jeans that she bought on their class field trip to SR Harris and Unique thrift store, earlier in the quarter. Her overall outfit that she created consists of a corset top, jean skirt, tote bag and a tie. She said, “I got a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and TikTok… I’ve had a lot of these ideas for a while, especially for the skirt. It’s always been something that I wanted to do, just didn’t have the time or materials to do it, but this class is perfect for that, because I have the time. It’s specifically for that.”
Students may choose to create their project in many different ways besides sewing or upcycling, depending on the portfolio that they selected. Other students are working on mini 3D bedroom models for their clients through the interior design portfolio, while another student is working on identifying color pallets for their client through the color analysis portfolio and other students are making mini 3D window displays through the visual merchandising portfolio.
Other projects that students are working on also include embroidering sweatshirts, crocheting and costume design. All of these projects match each student’s interest, as they have certain criteria to follow, but also get to have free creativity with it as well.
While this class is very hands-on, it also takes time to create a portfolio to showcase the work that may go on behind the scenes of their final product. Students can choose to display their progress within a binder or on a poster board. This can include research, a mood board, sketches, samples, before and after pictures, a reflection and much more. All of their work will be displayed at their upcoming showcase to end the quarter.
Many students feel proud of their final product and Magdaleno-Garcia is proud of their hard work as well. She said, “My favorite part is seeing students’ projects and them giving themselves goals and then them exceeding the goals.”
The Design Studio class looks forward to their showcase happening on March 25, during 3rd Block in the Foundation Room. This event will be able to allow parents/guardians, OHS faculty and local businesses to come together and view each student’s project that they have been working hard on this whole quarter.
