Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get back to an area of the DVD to review easily?
Yes. The good news is that most DVD players will ask you if you want to return to the previously viewed spot. The better news is that these DVDs are authored in such a way that the directory panes will help you navigate to where you want to go with ease. The DVD will show you how this works.
Can I work at my own speed?
Of course you can. You can work at the speed that is set out by the lesson plan or work ahead depending on the time you have allocated during or after salon hours. If your salon has specific training hours, work ahead if time permits.
Lesson plans are listed with an approximate time that the lesson should take. This includes a few things - watching a portion of the DVD, journaling your discoveries and or workshops.
Do I need to follow the lesson plans as they are laid out?
That little voice in the back of your head may be telling you to skip ahead to a different chapter. Viewing them out of order is certainly not wrong. However, this information is like building blocks - my metaphor for the learning the context of the information. If you miss one block, it could be the piece that cements the whole learning lesson.
Does the salon owner need to supervise the course?
It’s wise for the salon owner (if they work behind the chair) or the education manager to become grounded in the course content. It sends a strong message that they support the system and that they are willing to participate in the learning with the team. If the mentors in the salon buy in …so will the team.
Once the education manager and top tier stylists are grounded and comfortable with the information, they are a good choice to guide new team members when they join the salon. As team members help others in the information – everyone becomes more grounded in the information. It also supports the trickle down effect of learning. This means that everyone is training their replacement.
During the workshops, can I do variations of the haircuts?
That’s the great thing about the free world – yes. However, here is where consequence rears its ugly head. If you cut it too short, it will affect the results of the subsequent haircuts planned for that mannequin. We suggest that you keep the lengths and angles to what is suggested.
How do I print the training materials?
All files are in the most widely used PDF format. Acrobat Reader is the application necessary to open the files. It is available for Mac or PC. If you do not have it, you can download a free application from the Adobe website.
How many mannequins do I need?
Great question, we’ll start you with 5 mannequins and rotate them from exercise to exercise with accommodating the lengths. Now, if you get energetic with the ol’ blades – no problem, just order a few more.
How many people are necessary to take the course?
Two or more people create an interactive environment for learning. However, it’s still possible to have an interactive experience for one person taking the course. Have a team member(s) mentor them through the course. If they can supervise them through it – perfect. At minimum provide someone they can ask for help when they have a problem or need to share their learning.
How will I know which one to use?
Easy, you can use a permanent marker to write the numbers 1 – 5 on the mannequin’s neck. Before you start an exercise, make sure to check the number. If you want to keep the mannequins neck neat, turn the mannequin upside down and write the numbers on the rubber part of the bottom of the neck. If other team members are training with you, mark your name on the mannequin as well.
Also, in the lesson plans, we have color coded the mannequin #’s to keep you on track at a glance. Here’s the code:
Mannequin #1 – blue
Mannequin #2 – green
Mannequin #3 – red
Mannequin #4 – plum
Mannequin #5 – brown
I want to blueprint my haircuts in the salon; however, it takes too much time to draw the heads. Any tips?
You’re in luck, included on the ESSENTIAL CD is a file that you can take to a printer and have them print a pad of blueprint pages. Print two pads with the two different blueprint pages on each or print them double-sided. The print size is 51/2 x 8 in.
Should I review the previous lesson before I move on to the new one?
Absolutely, you said it, nuff said.
In the lesson plans, I keep seeing the word blueprint, what does that mean?
Blueprinting is a term we use to describe a simple drawing that shows how to do a haircut. When an architect draws a rendering of a finished building– it is drawn in perspective with lines to show someone else how to construct it. What better word is there to depict how a drawing can communicate how to recreate a shape?
In the lesson plans, I noticed the support of some lessons is video while others are illustration or text. Can you explain why?
Great observation, what we wanted to do was to take the training way beyond the 8 -9 haircuts on the video. Every technique we do is based on one of the 4 graduations. Plus, the whole training IS about communication. We want to challenge your comprehension of the language. We have a saying, “Trust the Process” – even on the lessons supported by text only, as you become more engrained in the terminology, trust it, you will start to visualize the shapes. And for the times you forget, well, that’s what the DVDs, manual and workbook are for – to support and jar your memory.
What is the SEE/DO method?
A SEE/DO is the haircutting workshop …only it’s interactive. It simply means that you watch a portion of the cut on the DVD then you practice the skill sets on your mannequin. In other words, first you SEE it… then you go DO it. Depending on the complexity of the haircut we break it down into two or more segments.
Is it best to work on my own or with a team member?
Wow, is the glass half empty or half full? You can work alone or with one or more salon team members. Although a lot people work very well on their own, I feel that learning with a teammate is like having a gym partner – you push and challenge each other. It’s also easier to discuss your learning experiences.
Is the course designed for one time viewing?
Repeat the course and exercises as many times as you need. As a matter of fact, the more times you review and participate the more the material will become engrained in you.
My mannequins still have some hair on them, what should I do with them?
They are always great to practice your planes of the head and finally take them down short with scissor over comb or texture scissor over comb.
What else is needed for the training?
Almost everything you need is in the salon already - there are a few extra things. Although a table-stand will do the job, a tripod is the most practical mannequin holder to work with.
A TV with DVD player is obvious, however, one with a remote control makes life a whole lot easier for pausing and reviewing.
Use your computer and printer for printing the manual and workbook from the Essentials CD. If your salon doesn’t use a computer, any print shop and most office supply stores can print in color.
What is the most effective way of watching the DVDs?
The best way is to participate with them. Interactive learning by far outweighs passive learning (watching and listening only). During the video, I’ll ask you to ”PAUSE” the DVD when its time to do a workshop. Resist the temptation to revert to “watch and learn” mode. You don’t retain nearly as much as you do by doing. Do the workshops before you move on. By the time you get to the end of the DESIGN ONE you’ll get into the rhythm.
When I print the manual and workbook the color bleed edges are set inside the perimeter of the paper.
The different color-coded bleed edges are added to make it easier to find the chapters. Some printers default to a setting that makes this print to the inside of the paper. One work-around is to click and drag the icon into the printer folder.
Where can I get supplies – mannequins etc.?
We list a few good sources for supplies on the Essentials CD.