Pop up shops and pop-up events are a useful and important tool for many brands. For digital brands in particular they can be an exciting and vital way to create connections with their customers or followers. We spoke to short course student Gabriela, about how studying Designing Pop up Shops and Events took her brand and career to the next level and why she is passionate about the concept of pop-up stores and events.
This summer you can have the opportunity to join Designing Pop up Shops and Events online and learn how to project manage and design a pop up event or shop to enhance your brand or launch products and to build new audiences. You might also like to read our interview with course tutor Debbie Flowerday .
What short course(s) did you to study at Chelsea College of Art? Designing Pop up Shops and Events
What do you do day-to-day? I am a graduate in business from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and now I run my own sustainable fashion business, there purpose of which is to inspire the conscious consumer through minimalist style. I create content around the subject of sustainability, and run pop-up events showcasing a capsule wardrobe and also sell other minimalist items. My plan is to expand this and help other brands, whose purpose is to be nice to the planet and society with their pop up events and stores.
Tell us a little bit about where you are from and your journey to taking a short course at Chelsea College of Art? I'm from Brazil, living in Belo Horizonte, I work within the field of sustainable fashion, managing my own brand, more specifically focused on minimalist fashion. I have hosted pop-up events for this brand since December 2017. Whilst at university I undertook a project focused on pop-up stores, for an external client and since then I have been fascinated by the concept. Through my practical experience, I learned that pop-up events are a great way to promote and express a brand; providing experiences that connect the brand with people, communicating the essence of the brand. The fact that it is temporary makes it’s more interesting for people and I love that! Although I had a bit of experience from University, I was searching for a course that would teach me more about designing and putting these experiences together, not just for my brand but for other brands whose purpose is to make the world more sustainable and I found this course at Chelsea College of Arts, UAL.
What inspired you to take a short course and what did you enjoy most about it? What inspires me is learning about something I am interested in. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to spend time learning something that I love as well as meet people that have the same interest and similar projects.
How has your short course benefited your career, education and/or personal development? The short course is very good for my career because now I have the range of skills required to do my job, I have a clear understanding of the processes involved - that is very important. I have gained the confidence to begin charging for my services when assisting other brands with their projects. Also, to have a certificate that proves I took the time to invest in myself and my skills gives me more credibility in this business.
Where are you planning to use your new creative skills? For my own business and our activities moving forward, and to assist other sustainable brands to host their own pop-up shops.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking a short course at Chelsea College of Arts? I think that it is an opportunity to open your mind - learn all about the subject you’re passionate about, whatever it is.
What characteristics do you think are vital to becoming a successful artist/creative, in any discipline? I think knowing what your purpose is, is very important and will allow you to make the things happening. Have this clear in your mind; what will make you happy? What lifestyle do you want? How do you want to work? I think that happiness attracts success, not the other way around, so know what you want and what will make you happy and work on that.
What 3 words best describe your Short Course experience? Love, open-mind, inspiration.
You can view Gabriela’s brand Coolringa and her pop-up production business on Instagram
Did you know we have a wide range of courses taking place this year? Check out how UAL short courses can help develop your practice here .