Is it your first choice?

Last Thursday I was invited to speak to a class of 3rd year architecture students from a government run university. At the end of the presentation we allowed for a Q&A and student asked about my college course choice and if architecture was my first.

My first choice back then was industrial design, architecture was second. It was a decision mostly based on practicality as I’ve known back then, industrial design wasn’t a very promising local career versus construction and engineering. I find myself learning from it and wishing that I had followed my heart, make use of the time and pursued industrial design. Now when I really think about it, the path I took unfolded to be rewarding and I have no regrets. This path has made me always peering in other industries which helps me in most cases to see design in a few different lenses. Made me a multi-discipline thinker earlier than what we see a lot of today.

The question felt that these students are still expected or at least taught to approach design a certain way, as architects. To me, it is to their advantage that they are exposed to more information and design influences. To me, it is a must for them to look at other industries, processes and means of solving problems. Information is their generation’s steel and glass.

Design with no labels.