Baremetalco

My four week internship at Baremetalco was exciting and fulfilling. I wanted to further build on my metalworking skills I learned at MICA, so over the summer I wanted to work at a metal shop. Since I was heading back home to Singapore, I decided to reach out to Baremetalco through social media and was accepted as their first intern. Baremetalco is one of the few companies in Singapore specializing in sheet metal fabrication. The company fabricates a variety of steel, stainless steel, and aluminum products such as railings and postal boxes. They also often fabricate metal sculptures for local artists in Singapore.

At Baremetalco, I worked directly with the second-generation owner of the company. They are currently rebranding the company and expanding its focus from fabrication to design and innovation. As it is difficult to sustain the business solely based on manufacturing products, he is attempting to move up the value chain to position Baremetalco as a company that designs and custom-makes high quality metal products.

As part of his push towards design and customized fabrication, my supervisor tasked me with 3D modeling and rendering customized products for clients. During my stint there, I modeled products such as a stool, low table and even a cover for a coffee machine. On top of these, my supervisor also gave me creative freedom to come up with my own artwork/product to be included in the company's showroom.

Leveraging this opportunity, I created an artwork Stool. Stool is a steel replica of 3V's PS703 plastic stools. The ubiquitous red plastic stool is manufactured in Malaysia and then exported to Singapore where it is regarded as a cheap, disposable item easily found in coffee shops and public housing void decks. Stool seeks to transform the ubiquitous item and celebrate its presence in the heartlands of Singapore.

Through making Stool, I experienced the entire process of fabricating metal products from ideation of manufacturing. I have come to beIer appreciate the fabrication industry and the challenges and opportunities fabricators face.

Moving forward, while I do not foresee myself working full-time in the metal fabrication industry, I have made many new friends and I am able to confidently fabricate metal sculptures in the future as part of my practice.

Creative Capital Shanghai

I learned about this Creative Capital Shanghai (CC) from a MICA alum. CC is a brand advertising company and now it is collaborating with Altavia, a French advertising firm. My direct supervisor was the creative department manager.

I participated in design idea generating, presentation designing and even designed a project independently. I learned how to present my work more professionally. When I was in school, I only needed to think about my own feelings about the design, but when I work, I have to think about how everyone feels about the design, not just from the designer's point of view.

I am most proud of my time management and multi-stream working schedule. I learned about managing my time with various projects going on, and I think designing culturally is the most important thing I have learned. I am also more familiar with Adobe Suites.

This internship experience has given me a better understanding of what people at a branding company do, and showed me the right attitude to have at work. I'm also more responsible with my work, because the design is no longer just your own responsibility, it’s about the whole team.

Two Bolts Studios

My name is Jani Hileman, a senior Ceramics major at MICA. During this summer I was an intern at Two Bolts Studios, a local Baltimore fabrication shop run by Sam Acuff. Mr. Acuff is the founder of Two Bolts studios, a recent MICA Alumni, and winner of the MICA Start/Up grant for in 2016. At Two Bolts I’ve had the opportunity to learn new fabrication skills with metal and wood, including TIG Welding, milling and processing of reclaimed wood, product design and client relations. 



I was able to participate in all projects Two Bolts worked on this summer, including a new security desk and wall paneling for MICA’s Dolphin building, a set of 6 reclaimed pine chairs, and all new design for a steel coffee table. I’ve loved the experiences I’ve had working with the reclaimed material from local buildings, reshaping them into a new usable form. Working this summer at Two Bolts Studios has really helped me have a better understanding of what goes into running a small business, from the actual making process to coordinating with clients, making supply runs, figuring out the intricacies of the product design and on the fly problem solving. I’ve been exposed to new ways of creating, and spoken with people who are making their living through marketing their creative skills. 

Even though I work in different mediums while at MICA, this internship was invaluable in helping me trust myself and progress as a maker. I’ve also had the opportunity to make connections with other makers and local companies.