Object Agency

O|A Principal Jon Otis found himself globetrotting this week as part of IIDA's presence at ORGATEC, "the world’s largest trade fair and exposition dedicated to the workplace." He and fellow IIDA board members presented at the conference on The Future of Human-Centered Workplace Design.

(Photo Credit: Koelnmesse, Key Conference Visual)

Great article by Imani Day in ARCHITECT magazine with implications that reach beyond architecture and apply to the design field at large. A passage of particular significance:

"Instead of blaming the design industry, we should embrace a deeper level of strategy that differs from simply meeting quotas. For example, architects should invest in a pipeline of emerging designers through mentorship and programming that also enables and enhances recruiting. When we know and grow multifaceted types of talent from a diverse pool, it is more likely that we will hire a wider range of people. And when interviewing, designers must look beyond the polished portfolio to the potential of the human being before them, who may think or lead differently."

Imani Day: Let's Get Real About Diversity Though architecture firms may purport to champion diversity, their claims often fall flat when questioned for actual examples and data.