tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432750713733341516.post756649708409427727..comments2023-09-27T04:21:04.783-05:00Comments on Cultivation Nation: Thinking Outside the Architect BoxMaddiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437562719094419461noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432750713733341516.post-80063280375129541592009-01-16T10:27:00.000-06:002009-01-16T10:27:00.000-06:00Having followed a similar path as you (4 years in ...Having followed a similar path as you (4 years in design school, working for architects for another 4, then jumping to the "owner" side for 11, and another two in an interiors firm), I find your observations of the architectural profession are not just spot-on, but also one that has been persisted for years and likely not to self-correct. <BR/><BR/>Of all the professions, architects are the most unappreciated and the most poorly paid, while bearing as much legal and social responsibility as attorneys and physicians. And because of their marginalized incomes, other things don’t happen, like educating managers to mentor (sadly, this is not a natural-born trait in many human beings), or expansion of business so staff relegated to drafting have an opportunity to move up in the firm.<BR/><BR/>As you've noted, even as a concept designer, the constraints, the internal politics, the city, the budgets, the owner/developer's opinions, are daunting. Is anything left of the first fresh concept that everyone purported to love? I came to the realization well over 10 years ago that I may as well be on my own. The pay was abysmal, the compromises heart-breaking, the respect non-existent and job security? Just want for the next recession. Oops. we've arrived.<BR/><BR/>Being on my own is a daily trip to the amusement park, and how I detest those craven roller coaster days, there is not an iota of regret. Although I cannot say I can always choose my own clients, I do direct my marketing towards those who are like-minded, thoughtful and open to ideas. When I have down month (or as in 2008, a down year), I have somehow survived, rather than being pitched out of a firm because a job went on hold and they have to make the numbers work.<BR/><BR/>There are firms that “do it all” as you pointed out. But the really good ones are far and few between the ones that greedily gobble up other professionals’ work in down times, and because these other channels are not their core competency or, in some firms, the principles think of them as “lesser” creative services, they often execute substandard work. Does Dallas need any more bad signage? What is very do-able, however, is diversifying your own self. As a purely selfish act to survive, I started offering presentation services to clients that ultimately evolved into graphic design, copy writing and photography. There was no plan, it was just do something, quick!<BR/><BR/>So, there is hope and light and creativity and, most importantly, huge satisfaction in your work, available to architects and others in similar professions. Stepping off that very first precipice of self-launching that, as Bugs Bunny would say, “is a doozy.”Gizmettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12751229124595786313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432750713733341516.post-75533750985049404822008-11-21T08:06:00.000-06:002008-11-21T08:06:00.000-06:00I agree that it's exciting to see architects and o...I agree that it's exciting to see architects and other design professionals working from a more holistic and liberated perspective. Although I've never worked a corporate job and have no desire to, I can understand how that work environment could stifle creativity. And more than anything, I think our society desperately needs to foster creative thinking right now. <BR/><BR/>This will require a change of mindset above all else. The IT infrastructure is already in place for widespread collaboration, idea sharing, etc. And it is making a difference, but at the moment it seems that most of the truly innovative and transformative design solutions are gaining traction only at the margins of society. This is certainly true with respect to our current ecological crisis, which is my primary focus. I think design professionals have a huge role to play in the creation of viable, new alternative models.<BR/><BR/>The revolutionary moment will be when the mainstream of society latches on to a few of these ideas and runs with them. That is when the transformative power of cooperative, community action will emerge to create a new world order. <BR/><BR/>Peace, RyanRyan Crockerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01059007708223892067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432750713733341516.post-29783829809224127042008-11-20T11:12:00.000-06:002008-11-20T11:12:00.000-06:00I think we are actually seeing a shift away from c...I think we are actually seeing a shift away from corporate America into a small business, creative environment across all industries. Thankfully, this country maintains an entrepreneurial spirit and it is exciting to see the fruits of that ideology. <BR/><BR/>Part of this shift may be attributed to Gen Y’s priorities when looking for that “dream job.” There is a stronger emphasis on lifestyle rather than reliability in a job. Such things as number of PTO days and office environment now play a larger role.<BR/><BR/>In the end, the only way to be happy is to follow YOUR dreams. So many people stay in unfulfilling jobs for the sake of the consistent paycheck. However, upon my limited experience in the corporate world, I am finding this is not the path to a happy life. There are times when you have to take the risk to achieve the true results you want. And Jackie, I think you are discovering this as well. So maybe it's the silver lining to such a tumultuous time in our nation.Maddiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10437562719094419461noreply@blogger.com