The dream job that jumpstarted it all!
Before I started my own full-time business, I snagged a dream freelance gig that gave me the confidence I needed to jump into the abyss of working for myself. The job was installing paper fire escapes in the KSNY flagship store on Madison Ave., NYC.
A few years prior to snagging the KSNY job, I participated in an installation-based show called Come Up to My Room in Toronto where I created a personal project called Escapes iii. During this time, I was really inquisitive about fire escapes both visually and as a symbol of reprieve. My study of fire escapes culminated in creating 3D miniature fire escapes that were well received. I was elated! For a few years, this project lived on my portfolio site while I was working my in-house job at an agency.
Above, the original fire escape paper sculptures created for the installation show Come Up to My Room.
Then, I got an email from KSNY asking me to pitch for a window concept they were working on. They’d seen my work from Come Up to My Room and thought I would make something great for their flagship windows. I pitched a concept that was an adaptation of my previous work and they loved it. I set to work figuring out how to create larger paper fire escapes that fit into the KSNY brand.
Once we landed on concepts, I did a lot of prototyping, specifically trying to figure out how to create fire escapes that had a clean design while still maintaining their beauty and magical essence. We landed on a matte black framing board. After the pieces were laser cut, I glued each joint together by hand, which gave the work an imperfect quality. I remember that the dye of the paper stained my fingers, so it felt like I was working with a never ending supply of charcoal!
From there, there was the issue of how to get the fire escapes to New York City. Originally, we thought that I’d be able to drive the sculptures across the border. But that quickly became unrealistic given working visa issues. We ended up couriering them over.
Hand assembling the laser-cut fire escapes.
Another problem I had to solve during this time was designing boxes to house the work while it was being transported. Through my contacts, I hired an art conservation specialist who helped me order appropriate boxes and also to pack the items properly. I also made custom boxes on which to secure each fire escape and stairs.
In consultation with KSNY, I worked with a fabricator to create the white mounting walls that the fire escapes were affixed to. There was a lot of back and forth getting the material and dimensions just right.
After the pieces arrived in NYC, I worked with an installation specialist to install the piece. She worked with my instructions to mount and assemble each of the pre-constructed pieces.
I wish I could’ve been there to install the pieces myself, but it was also a thrill to get to work with so many people to mount the installation to my specifications. I ended up making a trip to the flagship store on Madison Ave. store to see the final result. It was like seeing a baby all grown up!
The windows at the KSNY Madison Ave. flagship store containing my custom, laser-cut paper fire escapes.
While I was at the KSNY offices, I saw Iris Apfel walking out of the building. I asked about her when I walked in and my contact told me that Iris was in the office that day consulting on a campaign she was in. I felt like somehow Iris and I were colleagues working at the same office!
After that job closed, I realized that I wanted to be open to projects like it in the future. I promptly made a plan to start my business full time. Then, I jumped into the abyss! I wouldn’t say I’ve never looked back, but I definitely have no regrets about going out on my own.
— Jen Spinner, founder at Spinner Design
Behind the Scenes
Check out some inital concepts, the sketch that would become my guide, Iris Apfel and more of me working away in the studio.
