On Tuesdays, we watch talks or interviews with artists and designers and discuss how to present our work clearly and with confidence. This week we’ll hear from jewelry designer Arielle Borcik.
As you watch this interview, consider these questions: Does the designer speak clearly and with confidence? Does she use gestures and intonation to emphasize her points? Does she smile and look at the camera? Does she use professional vocabulary?
What does Borcik do well? She looks at the interviewer when she speaks, and she smiles frequently. She speaks clearly and her volume and speed are also good. She is easy to understand. Her posture is all right, but she doesn’t move much. She’s a little static.
What could she improve? My overall impression is that she seems uncomfortable. She laughs, which can be good sometimes, but this feels like nervous laughter. She uses a lot of uptalk, which means her voice goes up at the end of the sentence, even when it’s not a question. This is something people do naturally when they are nervous, but it should be avoided. She also seems unprepared for the questions the interviewer is asking, even though they are the types of questions artists and designers are often asked. As a result, she sometimes uses a lot of filler words while she thinks about her answer. All these things together convey a lack of confidence.
What professional vocabulary does this designer use? In the beginning, she talks about how she started making jewelry because she found a geode necklace at a shop. She describes the process she used at the start of her career and then says that what makes her work unique is her use of simple materials, like raw cut gemstones. Later, she talks about her best seller, which is her rose-quartz earrings. She also talks about the process and the tools she uses, like a hammer and chisel. Then she talks about her inspiration, her challenges, and collaborations she’s done with other artists. Finally, she talks about her mentor and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
What do you think of this interview? Do you agree with my comments? Do you have questions about the vocabulary? Do you want to suggest an artist or designer for me to discuss next week? Leave a comment below!
I’ve chosen 5 words or phrases for you to focus on today. They are in bold. If you don’t know them, look up the meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and other forms of these words. You can find links to Merriam-Webster dictionary sites at the bottom of this page.
To see the original video, posted by Penner Footwear on May 19, 2017, click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=051cGev3s-E
#artglish #jewelrydesign #english #arielleborcik #letstalktuesday