Meet MJ Happel

We were lucky to catch up with MJ Happel recently and have shared our conversation below.

MJ , we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

It was the runner Flo Jo who said “Dress good to look good, look good to feel good, and feel good to run fast”. That is the mantra I’ve always held with me as I’ve gone through life. I always try to take time for myself to do my makeup and put on a cute outfit in the morning. Whether it’s because I’m giving a presentation in class that day, or I’m just going into the woodshop to get some work done. I think looking my best makes me feel my best, and gives me the confidence to go through my day feeling good. I think this is especially important in my field because I work with a ton of power tools and complicated techniques. I need to feel confident in what I’m doing. If I’m not confident, it could be dangerous with what I’m doing. Luckily, nothing makes me feel better than doing something just for me, and reflecting who I am no matter where I am. It’s funny, I’ve created a reputation for myself with my outfits. When I present a project I dress to match the style/colors of my project and it is always a huge hit with my peers.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a furniture designer from North Carolina, in my junior year at Savannah College of Art and Design. I love a variety of furniture styles, but have a specialty in gothic inspired designs. I love the beauty in the gothic aesthetic. You don’t see a ton of it in everyday life, but I just think it’s so romantic and unique. I’m the one of the only ones in my department that does this type of style as well. We learn a variety of techniques here at SCAD, and it such a cool challenge to put my twist on them. I love wood working, welding, and upholstery.

I have recently expanded my career into production design as well with an internship with a production company right here in Savannah. They are called Plague Productions, and they work with making haunted houses and theme park attractions. They have embraced my gothic style whole heartedly and could not be more grateful to be working with a company full of such talented designers.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think I learned so many things from different paths of my life that lead me to where I am now. Growing up I was a competitive gymnast, and from that I learned how to be incredibly resilient. Learning how to get back up and go again no matter how many times you fall is something that’s been so important to making me who I am today.

Being encouraged to be creative and unique from a young age is something I also see being very important to my career and who I am today. I was super into Monster High as a kid (and honestly still am now) and that entire franchise is about being yourself despite any flaws you may present to the world. It also featured this campy, gothic, and alternative style that I definitely think reflects in not only my everyday lifestyle, but my furniture design as well. It seems silly that something like that would have such an affect on me as an adult, but I genuinely believe it was ahead of it’s time and has influenced so many people my age to pursue creative careers and lifestyles.

I think the last thing that was really impactful to me is my involvement in music. It has always been a prominent aspect of my life. My parents were involved in worship team at church growing up, and they always put me onto such a broad range of artists and music styles. I met my best friend in middle school band, where we both played saxophone. I bonded with my current roommate over Nine Inch Nails. I take inspiration in my work and fashion aesthetics from so many rock artists and musicians that I admire. Music has brought so many wonderful people and memories into my life and will always be so impactful to me.

The best advice I can give to someone just starting their creative career is to just step back, and take a look around you. Look and see what is important to you outside of your career, and let those guide you. If you try to force yourself to be someone you’re not, you are going to be miserable. As you grow and evolve as a person, what you’re meant to do will fall into place, so long as you let it. I would have never guessed 3 years ago that I’d be where I am now, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents have always been very supportive in any creative endeavors I was interested in. As a kid I was always crafting things at my desk, and they would happily set aside any cereal box for me to repurpose, and take me to Walmart to refill my hot glue gun stash. I originally came to SCAD for architecture, and ended up changing into furniture design when I realized I wanted to pursue something more hands on. They were slightly skeptical at first, but could not be more thrilled now. When my dad sees my work, he always says “I could never come up with something so creative/different”. My mom always says “I don’t know how a lab scientist and an engineer managed to produce someone like you”. But in all honesty, my parents are the reason I am as creative as I am. They filled me with 18 years of 80’s/90’s pop culture, heavy metal, humor, and encouragement to be different from anyone else. I see more and more of them in me the older I get, and for some people that may be a scary thing. But for me, I couldn’t be prouder to reflect the best parts of them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mjbuildsthings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mj-happel