In college, Ning was an actuarial science major. Statistics. We asked her to join our studio to conduct analysis, pricing and risk assessment. Yet
it hasn’t stopped Ning from contributing to an atmosphere of creativity and
invention. How lucky we are to
have found a science major who has a keen appreciation of artistry.
~ Regina
I was visiting family in China when I discovered a fun, new fad:
iPhone covers adorned with crystal beads and iconic toy dolls — The Pink
Panther, for example, and many Disney characters. I had to have one for my own phone. But I was told that it would take a
month to deliver the cover I wanted. Since I would soon return to sunny Santa Monica, I didn’t place an
order.
But I wasn’t disappointed. The sales girl I spoke to encouraged me to make my own
cover. She showed me the elements
that were necessary and explained the best ways to begin. I thought, Why not? I’ve been
working for IMAGE: Global Vision for
almost two years, and I’ve learned so much from all the designers, who continue
to inspire me. I wanted to create
something of my own.
So I bought three colors of crystals, a pen-like tool that helped me
glue the beads to a standard plastic cover, and a Pink Panther doll that I
would adapt and dress up with beads.
Although I really enjoyed my little project, I must say that it was
also challenging. You must be very
patient to attach all the crystal beads to the surface in just the right
way. Colors had to be clustered in
the correct areas — eyes, ears, mouth — and progress was slow. Since I lack patience, at one point I
considered giving up.
But the designers I greet every day here in the studio never give
up. So I stayed with it.
About a week after beginning, I had finished my Pink Panther iPhone
cover and I was thrilled with a sense of accomplishment. It was also a sweet feeling when the
designers all responded to my work. Javier Leguizamo liked it so much he tried to put my cover on his phone.
The experience has inspired me to look for another creative project as
I continue to draw on what I’ve learned here to expand my way of expressing
myself. I love the language of
artists. I love how they speak
without words by accessing their imaginations.
I doubt that I’ll make another iPhone cover. Maybe that’s best. Not everyone can embrace the fad. I bought a cover for my dad in China. Since he enjoys a beer now and then, I had his cover
designed with tiny replicas of beer bottles. He loves it, but only displays it at home. He confessed, “I’m a fifty-year-old
business man. How can I carry this
to meetings?”
Fair enough. Since I like
new things, I sometimes prefer to leave home without the Pink Panther smiling
at me. So I switch covers. But I’ll always keep my creation. It proves that I am growing and learning and that makes me very happy
and proud.
~ Ningning Lu
