1st Semester | saraconstance

TEKO Project | Design DNA

My first project at TEKO started with the Design DNA assignment, aka TEKO Project. This project can easily be described in three words: challenging, exciting and rewarding. Although it might sound like a typical TEKO project description, it still has some specific features, mostly because it was my FIRST examination task at university.

I call it exciting because I was very happy with the topic of the project, which gave me and my team a lot of freedom of choice: we were asked to identify and present the Design DNA of four fashion designers/brands. Therfore, this was a great opportunity for me to explore on a more thorough level the identity of some of my favourite designers and practice my public speaking skills in front of an audience of TEKO students and teachers.

Challenging, because we had to work in a team of complete strangers at the beginning, as we were assigned in groups by the teachers and we didn't know anyone either. But although , at times, we faced slight difficulties and frustrations , we remained focused on our goal and delivered a professional result.

And finally, rewarding, because in the end, despite all the challenges , our work was appreciated with the highest score by our evaluating panel of teachers.

The Design DNA project has to be one of my best memories at TEKO as it was my first challenge as a university student, which luckily, I successfully passed.

Project | Style History

The SH project happened almost at the same time with the 1st semester written exam and the presentation for the value chain project , so I have to admit that I haven’t been able to enjoy it as much as I would have wanted to, since I had to work under a lot of stress and time pressure.

This is why I honestly regret I didn’t really have the energy to explore on a more thorough level not only my assigned style period, but also those of the other groups, as the topics were extremely useful for our cultural knowledge and fashion history awareness. Nonetheless I was able to deliver the assignment requested and I am very grateful for the knowledge that I have acquired during this project.

My biggest frustration though is that, at the written exam, the style history part included a question in connection with the exact style period that I had during the project- Art Nouveau. But it was a detail that I hadn’t considered very relevant when I took notes for my exam, and that is- the German name of that style period. I will never forget it again- Jugendstil .

Project | Brand ID

This particular project has to be one of the most creative and fun that I’ve experienced at TEKO so far.

I was positively impressed by the creative freedom that we were offered and also by all the assets and materials we were provided with in order to put our idea into practice.

The final exhibition was extremely exciting and impressive for me as I really admired all the stands created by my fellow colleagues.

The experience was not only exciting but also rewarding as my team got a 12 for the brand presentation. That was an insightful moment for me as I realized how much I like to represent a brand that I truly believe in. I also realized how much I enjoy public speaking and I was proud for having been able to make the teachers believe in my idea.

HERE you can have a look at the article I created on my blog with regards to this project . My team’s stand represented Polaroid.

Project | Value Chain

This was probably one of the most stressful projects I have experienced at TEKO so far, due to its rather advanced requirement of economy and financial knowledge, which put my team and I through various difficulties, given the fact that none of us had a background within that field.

Therefore, we ended up documenting and trying to find solutions on our own through the guidance provided at school which was very useful for our future careers in business. There is no shadow of a doubt that basic knowledge of economy is a must if you wish to succeed in any entrepreneurial venture.

Putting aside the finance-related issues within our project, the overall experience was extremely enjoyable, especially the visit to the company we were assigned to analyze- LEGO Wear/Kabooki. The CEO’s speech was very inspiring and it provided us with a relevant example of a professional and experienced business man.

Nevertheless, I have to pin-point a negative aspect regarding this project- the oral presentation was scheduled too late, in comparison to the hand-in deadline of the written paper, and it also coincided with the date of our 1st semester written exam. But I guess this was meant as another simulation of what our real business lives will be like in the near future.

HERE is an assessment of our visit to LEGO Wear's headquarters.