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Reading the Economist hindered my job prospects, but helped my career

Major Inspiration Source

Maybe certain former co-workers won’t like me sharing these kinds of stories. But I doubt they’ll ever read them. And if they do, I hope they can understand that this isn’t about us; it’s about something much larger.

I can’t remember when it happened. I think it was during an annual review. But it might have been during one of the dozen meetings I had with various co-workers leading up to me leaving my day job in early 2012. These discussions stretched back something like 15 months before I quit. I did all that I could, in the ways that I could, to avoid a cataclysm, to not have to just opt out. I even cried in one of the more private meetings. It got emotional. But those are all stories for another time. There’s so much to be learned from those events, and even a year later I’m still processing what happened.

I had a boss tell me this:

I’m viewed as less of a designer because I read The Economist at lunch instead of design magazines.

He literally and honestly suggested that I start looking at design magazines if I wanted to be taken seriously as someone who cared about design. And the impression was given that he wasn’t the only one who thought this.

THIS.

This is a clue to our eroding relevance. This is a clue to so much more.

He and I couldn’t even communicate on the value of various design sources. Some architects find inspiration by learning about construction methods via books like JLC Field Guide to Residential Construction, Volume 1: A Manual of Best Practice. Others want to paw over the latest issue of Dwell. And others get sucked into The Economist. All are valid. Perhaps one direction makes more sustainable buildings, another more beautiful, and the third more cerebral. Depending on which type of architect you ask, they’ll assign those directions to different sources. But there’s no way each route can’t lead to all three.

 

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Comments

  • March 13, 2013
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    Don’t miss those who read (and write) geek blogs!
    😉

  • March 13, 2013
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    There’s no crying in architecture.:)
    Nice new look.

  • March 13, 2013
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    Stuart Smith

    Since moving to a larger firm, I have noticed this as well. The people who want to be seen as designers maintain a certain level of intentionality in clothing, accessories, hairstyle, lunch-time reading material, etc. However, it’s a fine line between stylish and poseur, the dividing factor being actual skill. It’s too bad (for them) that your old employers couldn’t see past the ephemera.

  • March 13, 2013
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    This is the post from an architect I’ve been looking for. Someone who sees that yes there is a problem here and, well, we are it. When I was in Grad school I wanted to do my thesis project on why the state of architecture was in decline and that we as architects
    (architectural student at the time) we the main reason for this. I was promptly told, yes told, no if you do this you are going to fail. Needless to say I went in a different direction, but it has not changed my outlook on the problem actually it reinforced my opinion on the topic. Architects need to get out their own way meet with other types of people, see what else is going on the industry. For the past two years I’ve been working for cabinet manufacturer. In that time I’ve been searching unsuccessfully for a job at a firm, as well as starting to take the ARE. The more and more I look into it and see the state of things it makes me want to stay away and secure another path.

    Sarah great post

    Jared, again, great work!

  • March 13, 2013
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    Sarah O'Dwyer

    I really like the fact you read ‘The Economist’! [Some] Architects tend to believe there is only one world view of what being an Architect means, and that it entails black clothes and designer glasses and leather satchels and a certain type of moleskin sketch-book…and only reading design magazines. Who is to dictate where anyone finds inspiration? Part of the reason I think the role of the Architect is diminishing in the design process is precisely because we tend to go around in our own circles congratulating eachother for looking at the ‘right’ magazines instead of looking up from them to see what ‘laypeople’ are doing and feeling and how the world is turning. Oops that was a bit ranty!

  • March 14, 2013
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    I left to start my own firm because I got tired of having to take vacation days to attend continuing education events and being openly mocked as a ‘tree-hugger’ for trying to design better performing buildings. I was told, “The Clients don’t care, so don’t waste time on that stuff.” This from the architect who explained how real designers taught him the secret formula of combing black and sepia ink for their Mont Blanc fountain pens. The problem runs deep.

  • December 23, 2013
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    Jon Buggy

    Jared: I think your experience about “reading the Economist, not design magaizines” is (from my limited perspective) stunning and a sad statement about that supervisor – not necessarily about the profession of architecture. In fact, about a year ago I had a conversation with a well-known leader within AIA who was advocating all AIA architects receive a subscription to The Economist or Fast Company or similar magazine!! Quite the opposite thinking of your former supervisor.

    It does however speak to a proclivity within our profession for architects to see architectural design as soley about the building or the object. You obviously know and understand that architects can and often do much more that solve the “building” challenges. When we are at our best we are also leveraging the power of design and our creative, forward-thinking, problem-solving skills to improve the quality of lives, businesses, communities, brands, environments, etc. That, I believe, is a clue to our potential for increasing relevance in commerce.

    Also, I think it is fine that there is great diversity of thought amongst architectural firms. You talk about this. We are all very different by our experiences and education and our firms develop special, interesting & unique cultures. You learned via that experience, you were probably in the wrong place – for you. You learned and you took steps to find a better place for you and your sklls. Wishing you well.

    Keep blogging & exploring!

    Best

    Jon

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