An architect in Florida told me that the way to make the most money as an architect was to “design” strip malls.
Which are, generally speaking, paid for by a municipal “Redevelopment Agencies” under the guise of eliminating blight, or upgrading a business district, etc. Which, generally speaking, is why occupancy rates can be so dismal. How many store fronts are vacant in the one near you?
But then, when the government is paying for your building, having a few vacancies isn’t too disconcerting … after all, it isn’t your investment that isn’t being returned. Our tax dollars at work…
Can’t that be said of anything? Great X requires great clients.
You can be the best designer in the world, but if you are working at a company making widgets for walmart, chances to do great stuff is probably far between.
One of the reasons I started my consultancy. I choose my clients. Probably do 10% of the projects that are pitched to me.
Somewhat OT, but I’ve always been surprised by designer’s inability to recognize our power to say NO. A lot of design is what you don’t do. A lot of people want to have input on design. And while it is important to listen because good ideas can come from anywhere, it is even more important to filter and say no.
Yo: I think that comes from a combination of factors. Personally, I’m optimistic and I feel that I can improve any project that I’m on. Experience has softened this, but I still feel that way. It takes a lot of crap for me to realize that my involvement will not improve the project.
Second is economics. We have attained a certain point in our careers where we know that we are only a few phone calls from another job. However, there is always going to be young designers and struggling consultants with a pile of bills that do not have that luxury.
Lastly, I think many of us (including myself) are a bit soft. Bob Lutz kept emphasizing this in his book from a couple years ago. He kept describing designers as “gentle people”. I think there is a little truth in stereotypes. I think design attracts more introverts than marketing or entrepreneurs (ie our clients) does. So designers get drowned out in meetings and pushed around.
Just watched “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” a documentary of the worlds greatest sushi restaurant and its 85 year old chef. Not exactly design per se but it is inspiring to see how influential he has been on sushi and how much respect he has garnered by simply being the absolute best at what he does, then trying to become even better.
There’s also some great advice about honing your craft that most of us can probably relate to.
I second that. Although a bit strange and a straight xfactor for design approach it did give a good insight into Starck, more further than I have seen before. It’s also a good watch for people just getting into design, it gives a good overall view of the design process and Starcks interpretation. One of the “contestants”, had graduated the year before from the university I went to. We had a lecture / event where the majority of the guys came up and gave their thoughts on the process and how it helped their career development etc. The general consensus was that after week 3 Starck lost interest, handed over most responsibility to his team and moved on to his next project. Which left them all a bit confused i think. But hey he’s Philippe Starck…he can do want he wants right?
Overall, they all said that even though it didn’t propel them into a career with Starck, Ilsa, the winner of the show completed her 6 month period with Starck and left. They felt it was a invaluable experience, from which they have all used as a spring board…As we all would I imagine.
North by Northwest probably had the most glamorous designer in Hollywood plus watching Cary Grant hang off Mt. Rushmore was really cool. Top Hat with Fred Astaire had the best set designs of the oldie goldies.