The Visual Mode

Do what we did in school. Revert to the programming."

This was my friend's advice.

About 6 months into my full-time design career, I had a project assigned all to myself. It was a beefy scope and allowed me to fully invest in getting it right. So, why was I freaking out?

The majority of my time leading up to this had been spent on learning about the business and breaking away from the "intern" status. Did business knowledge replace design experience?

I called a friend who runs his design agency and confessed that for some reason, I was overwhelmed and drawing a blank at the opportunity to do the work I love. Work I had done over and over again in the past.

I could spend all day talking about the things I learned at University that were useless. However, upon hearing my friend's obvious and basic advice, I was having flashbacks of mood boards.

I was looking for some grandiose answer, already concerned that the client wouldn't love my proposal and that I needed to crack the code for the perfect solution that would solve all their problems.

In reality, I just needed to do what successful designers and art students do every day. Reflect on what inspires me, and create something through my own lens.

Why hadn't we built mood boards at work? I work with senior designers, how come we haven't mentioned or valued an activity that is so fundamental for creatives?

You see, I was mostly looking for external validation for my work. Even though some architects insist they are artists, we disrespect our processes in favor of doing "what the client wants."

I put less weight into

"How do I give the client what they want to see?"

and more weight into

"What do I need to do to come up with the best solution?"

What do you hold as valuable from your formal education?

Detailing the process for creating spatial installations! 🌐 Dive into a Rhino case study with me, link in bio.

Something that’s been working incredibly well this year I’m doubling down on: face to face conversations with designers and directors.

What shows up on people’s social media or website is a “one sheeter.” The true value in people’s work, the current needs creatives can satisfy is best understood through genuine interest in others.

There’s no better data than what gets people excited to talk about their wins and losses.