Cappuccino Mattina
Teaching a Graphic Design class got me thinking, “What about a program that combined the graphic design class with the business & web design class?” The goal would be for students to learn how to set up an e-commerce business using the clubs as clients. Design, business management, and entrepreneurship would be an interdisciplinary curriculum.
This was an easy thing to imagine since I have an e-commerce shop, though I am not actively marketing the many pieces I have up. Nonetheless, I felt I should put what I learned into practice.
To start, I researched the market and found out what was trending within my niche. It was clear that I can apply one of my skills to a strong, established market. With 75% of my t-shirt ideas trending, I decided I will begin with hand-drawn images paired with my handwriting.
I am starting with a theme that is close to my heart: artwork reflecting my trip to Italy 6 years ago where I met my grandmother’s sisters, children, and my cousins. It was a pilgrimage, a homecoming, and I made several paintings in response to the experience when I returned home. I am resolved to return, so I have been studying Italian online and reading more about how to act, how to order, customs, etc.
One example is the fact that Italians do not order cappuccinos after 11:00 am. In the afternoon, a macciato is customary, then an espresso after dinner. Although, I do believe Italians drink espresso all day.
My grandmother, Maria Lucia Bocchicchio (Lucy), had six sisters and one brother. Her youngest sister was 17 years younger than her and was named Maria Beatrice. Her son, Peppino Lomio, was our host and guide along with his son Michele, who was pretty fluent in English. Peppino is the same age as I am and looks much like my father. They are first cousins with twenty-three years between them. My father could have been Peppino’s father! He has been corresponding with Peppino for years. Finally, a bunch of us were able to go with him to his parent's birthplace. My father had visited these folks twice before when he was stationed in Germany as a young man. His cousin, Lena, was thirteen when he last saw her. She is in her seventies now.
The first thing Peppino took us to see was the medieval town of Melfi where he was born. It was early in the morning and the streets were quiet. He took us to the square near the Cathedral where he worked as a young man.
A ‘caffe’ shop was just opening up, so I ordered a cappuccino. Naturally, I took a photo and then painted it. Now, it is memorialized in the line drawing I made.
The photo.
The painting.
The drawing.
My first tee shirt will be the Cappuccino Tee, with the advice: Cappuccino e per la Mattina. Do you love Coffee and Italy? Then perhaps you’ll want this t-shirt. Keep your eye out for the release!
The most successful ventures in life reflect the values, beliefs, and authentic interests of the creator. Essentially, the business reflects what the creator knows and does. My business idea grew out of my process of making art.
Stay tuned as I plan to create a class for students and interested adults to create their own ‘Side Hustles’, and learn how to use analytics and social media to achieve commercial success.