Say “Hello!” to Ivy, HofArc’s chief Designer and Operations Manager. But don’t let her youthful appearance fool you. Around here, she’s definitely in charge. As our Designer it’s her role to continue our founder Matthew Hofmann’s concepts, and to continue developing new ideas as they emerge in the fast-evolving interior design marketplace.
Ivy works with our clients to custom-create material boards and specifications that brings their dreams to life. Her high-level of technical expertise includes Mac-based design tools such as VectorWorks (CAD), Final Cut Pro (video editing), and Adobe Works, to name just a few. Ivy also heads up our social media department, managing our Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr pages. been an amazing asset to our company as a videographer and still photographer. Check out her work on our video page. It’s our pleasure and a privilege to share her story with you, now.
HofArc: Would you share a bit about yourself?
Ivy: I was born and raised in Santa Barbara. I come from a big family that I love and appreciate being raised as the only child with a single mother. She has done her best for me. She wants me to be happy and successful in whatever I put my mind, to help me appreciate life, and realize what it’s really worth.
My mother is the hardest working person I know. Whatever she sets her mind to do she accomplishes it. I’m very proud to be her daughter. Now it’s my turn to do what I set my mind to do, to draw from her strength, and learn from the lessons she taught me. I want to make her proud to be my mother.
HofArc: How did you start working with HofArc?
Ivy: As a Senior at Santa Barbara High School, I was introduced to HofArc through the Partners in Education (PIE) program. The program helps high school students experience working with local businesses, and in a field they are interested. PIE set me up an interview with Matthew and Wally Hofmann, and the rest just fell into place.
HofArc: Can you tell us about life at Santa Barbara High?
Ivy: As a Senior, I was in the MAD (multimedia arts and design) Academy at Santa Barbara High School. I really loved it because it gave students like me, who are interested in the media arts field, a heads up with the fundamental tools needed to be successful.
My favorite class was Film where we learned the invisible art of filming which is actually editing. How one edits a film can make or break the concept you’re trying to interpret to the audience. I especially enjoy telling a story from my own perspective.
HofArc: What do you do for fun and recreation?
Ivy: I love to be around loved ones. My family and friends mean everything to me. Those are the ones that inspire me to do what I love to do. Being an only child can be lonely, but with six aunts and uncles, and 15 nieces and nephews, lonely is that last word in my mind.
I also like to take pictures of what’s going on in my life, to save a memory of it. It’s a great way to save great moments.
HofArc: What do you like best about living in Santa Barbara?
Ivy: I like three things about living here: the people, the weather, and the food. The people here are kind and friendly. The weather has spoiled us, too. Plus, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is always inviting and relaxing.
HofArc: How did you become interested in filmmaking?
Ivy: I started with photography. I love how an image can say millions of things. I soon realized that if I can say so much with a single image, imagine what I can do with writing and directing an entire story?
HofArc: What’s the best part about working at HofArc?
Ivy: The best part would be – like every person here would say, for sure – the people. I am so lucky to have this job with people who believe in their work and trust the guys who run it. They’re an amazing team.
This job doesn’t feel like a job because I get to learn so much every day. I think that’s that best thing this job has taught me. I’ve learned that if you truly love what you do your job will not feel like work and all the hard work is worth it.
HofArc: What are some of the hats you wear at HofArc?
Ivy: I have created several dozen “How-To Airstream” videos for our website. They show people how to renovate their own Airstreams. I also manage the customer database and lead tours of our place. I love showing curious people the Airstreams we are working on. I love learning about our current renovations and teach people a little bit about what we do here at HofArc.
HofArc: What do you hope to do in your career?
Ivy: I hope to become a successful film director and photographer. These are the two things that I love in my life, and want to do for my career. I plan to go to a four-year liberal arts college, and hopefully get a scholarship to a school that is out of Santa Barbara. I want to go to place where I can learn new things and be influenced by new surroundings.
