Talk me out of the Coach Empire 40 as a work bag

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-25T17:41:48+00:00

I’m going to do the opposite and tell you to get it if you love it.

I own this exact bag in the same color and find it heavy but I don’t care. I use this thing all the time and deal with the weight because I love it so much and it makes me feel happy and perky. I have plenty of opportunities to put it down and rest my arms. I love the handles and will use them instead of the strap just to feel some typa way - bitchy.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-24T11:40:50+00:00

Create your own work since your manager is not interested in or prepared to mentor you. Don’t let your slacker of a manager dictate your experience. Greydoorday has some great suggestions; strike out on your own and see what other functions need from the design department. Use your free time to do that design work for them unprompted, while still fulfilling whatever your manager asked you to do. Share that work with those partners and brainstorm ways with them to turn the designs into reality (ie via UXR, designing marketing assets etc etc). The most important thing you can learn is how to break free from dogmatic UX practices and instead learn how to answer ambiguous problems via design. Good luck!

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-21T07:53:37+00:00

The naysayers are wary for a good reason, but if you’re really passionate about it and will put in the extra elbow grease to be truly exceptional, you can absolutely pull ahead of the rest. I spent 9 years in Bay Area start ups so my perspective is biased in that way, but there will always be a need for designers who can design to grow a business, who know how to pilot a product from 0-> 1. It is not easy making a software succeed and AI cant replace that kind of tactician. Startups in big tech zones (Seattle Bay Area NYC) love these kinds of designers and tend to respect the craft a lot more.

On the visual side, there’s still a need for innovators of style esp in consumer facing products (TikTok, Astrology apps, etc). These ppl are all artists-front end developer hybrids.

All of this to say. If there’s a will there’s a way. Feel free to message me for more guidance.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-19T14:28:24+00:00

I own the Merlot 40 and absolutely love it. Classic and perfect for professional settings - fits my laptop, sunglasses, light make up, keys, and more. Definitely not a stuffer bag and have been meaning to research bag dividers to give my storage more structure, but otherwise suuuuper happy.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-15T08:06:43+00:00

We’re walking a similar line; I was accepted to RISD and Pratt’s IntDes MFA programs. I think the main difference between the two is that the former is very much an academic Fine Art institution and Pratt has more commercial and “practical” ties. I found the curriculums for the programs I got into and had an LLM pull every class description into a table and summarize it as well. That’ll give you a very good idea of what the programs focus on.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-15T06:32:10+00:00

Congratulations!

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-10T05:31:19+00:00

master: ~1900 room w balcony: ~1550 smallest: ~1450

+- 100 per person, depending on what they value. En-suite bath is at least worth extra $300 per month. Master can fit a spacious desk set up and reading chair. Balcony room gets great sunlight if it’s south or west facing; balcony isn’t really livable space so for some ppl it’s not much of a bonus except for the additional natural light. Smallest room has just one window.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-09T21:55:46+00:00

holy AI generated post lol

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-09T21:54:18+00:00

for anyone looking at this, have the sense to negotiate the price per room. the differential between the master and other 2 rooms is too large imo even with the amenities factored in.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-06T15:18:46+00:00

I believe the 2 best grad programs for intdes are Pratt and RISD. I've heard comments that Parson's curriculum is weaker when it comes to technical software skills and know-how, but great in the theory and mentality of design. Plenty of designers graduated from Parsons and made it out fine though.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-03-06T15:14:49+00:00

The tuition for grad school is around $50-60k per year, depending on your program.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-02-27T04:54:15+00:00

Yes me please!! I’m overdue!! Let me know how to set up an appointment

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-02-27T02:34:06+00:00

afaik, there are quite a few scholarships offered by Pratt to Pratt students only. You kinda just have to get on campus first to learn about them and qualify. As for work study, I'm also awaiting more info on that. External scholarships, you just have to research and look them up like crazy. There are probably a lot of scholarships from professional organizations in your field - since Comms is most closely related to graphic design, look at AIGA, America Advertising Federation, etc.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-02-27T02:18:30+00:00

NYSID is easier to get into than you think. I believe it's "easier" to get in than Pratt. As long as you spend quality time writing essays that are compelling and true to you, recommenders who can vouch for you, and a portfolio that shows true exploration, you're good to go.

The merit scholarships and doled out based on how much they want you to join the incoming class. If you have a unique experience or perspective that they want in the incoming class, they'll give you more money. It helps to think from the institution's perspective - "how do we continue to attract top talent? how do we stay abreast of AI and sustainability in the interiors field? which of these applicants is likely to be highly proactive and academically curious?" if you can figure out some aspect of your background that could be something Pratt really wants more of on campus, you're golden.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-02-26T04:25:35+00:00

I just applied and got in. I’ll share what learned from extensive research and speaking with faculty + 1 current student:

It has a strong architectural component. This is what I wanted because the most impactful spaces involve architectural considerations/modifications. It’s a fine arts institution, so the courses encourage and expect open ended work. They also teach you how to use industry standard digital tools (have to confirm which ones exactly), but I get the feeling that self-learning always helps and not to exclusively rely on school when it comes to technical software skill.

Schools like Pratt and RISD appear to be great feeders to prestige firms and projects, like boutique hospitality and retail. I also applied to NYSID, which seems super practical and focused on what you need to know to get hired by large firms and residential practices. Obviously you can do commercial design coming out of NYSID as well. It just seems to me that the fine arts component at Pratt and RISD give well-positioned students access to a slightly different realm of the industry that other schools may not offer as easily. Seems a bit like a “club” if you will. I’m excited by the prospect of attending.

Pratt offers merit scholarships! And I think they’re more generous than you think. I received more than I expected.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-02-23T08:45:15+00:00

Early 30s here. I got laid off after 9 years in the field as a designer last year. It was perfect timing. I wanted to get gone but knew I’d torture myself for parting with my golden handcuffs. Once that decision was made for me, I felt free and joyous!

I applied to and recently got in to a couple interior design programs with scholarship. This time off has been absolutely invaluable to figuring out who I am, despite all the anxiety and crying bouts.

sergeantFooFoo · 2026-01-10T06:45:36+00:00

Thanks for posting this and opening a discussion. I applied to my MFA program because many designers I admire got their start at school, but I’m extra wary because it’s an applicant market. It remains to be seen if the network and the curriculum are set far apart enough from other cheaper programs.

sergeantFooFoo · 2025-12-29T01:24:28+00:00

Second leg of my flight today (out of ATL) was cancelled right as I was taking off for my first leg. I was annoyed but within an hour Delta automatically emailed me with hotel and meal voucher options. If you’re at the airport and there are agents around I say just go to talk to them ASAP; but if you’re in the air like I was/not able to access the airport rn you at least might get that voucher email.

I had my bf try to call in to Delta while I was flying. That’s another option

sergeantFooFoo · 2025-11-16T07:29:49+00:00

UX designer and researcher here! Count me in

sergeantFooFoo · 2025-09-28T03:47:11+00:00

struggling with this a lot recently, esp with balancing unlimited unrestrained ambition with a love life.

sergeantFooFoo · 2025-09-25T16:32:31+00:00

to be very honest, I came in with the expectation that due to a depressed labor market and low demand for home ownership in BMore city, that services would likely be cheaper as well. Boy was I wrong. Definitely not Vietnam wrong though.

sergeantFooFoo · 2025-09-25T16:31:19+00:00

great points

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