Design+Dialogue

Design interviews can be complex.  Sharing skills, presenting designs, and relating taste levels can be challenging at the best of times, let alone under the pressure of an interview. In the Design and Dialogue, I share four tips that will help you ace your next design interview.

Every business has its star players. The first tier brings business, culture, and organization to the company. The second tier manages day the day tasks and the third tier is really in the trenches, bringing their A game to the front.

I have been connecting with firms across the globe and I believe I have found the best hybrid policy for the design industry.  Check out the video and let me know if you agree!

There is a great deal of movement in the architecture and interior design industry. If you’re not interviewing, you should definitely put yourself out there.

DBI has had a full 6 months!  Some much so that I have not been able to create my Design+Dialogue videos.  That has changed today.  Check out all that we have been up to and all that is coming for DBI in the video below.

While extrinsic rewards sometimes motivate people, true motivation comes from within. The leader's job requires them to find the spark of inspiration and fan it into flames -- without ever dampening the fire. 

Architecture and design typically appeal to many professionals who are detail-oriented and creative. Considered both practical and artistic, architecture satisfies a craving to create something tangible and unforgettable. 

LinkedIn is one of the first places many people go to learn more about you. An up-to-date page detailing your experience is what recruiters look for when seeking candidates.

Ghost quitting isn't fair to the company, but sometimes it's not a choice. If your work experience with the design firm has been positive and you've enjoyed working with the organization, why not ask for help instead? If that's not an option, your final choice may be resignation.

Many architects will tell you they already bring a lack of confidence to their work. Even their brilliant designs have been met with criticisms like, "Why didn't you do this differently?" or "It's okay for someone with your experience level."

A toxic work environment can affect your physical and emotional health. Employees in toxic workplaces often report sleeping poorly, having difficulty concentrating, constantly tired, and even turning to other harmful coping behaviors to soothe themselves.

Many leaders turn the other way for a good reason when conflict arises. Conflict is unpleasant. Most people avoid disagreements at all costs because they cannot bear to be considered "that mean person," or they fear saying something they'll regret. 

Being a team player at your design firm is a fast-track formula for getting recognized. Becoming known as someone who values the design talent as much as they support the firm's goals can be a career booster for your soft skills portfolio.

Once you land your job interview, you'll probably start thinking about everything you want to tell your potential employer -- about your experience, the skills you've learned, and your career aspirations. Here's what you should leave out.

Many candidates say that searching for a job is much harder than the work itself. Always upbeat, you put in hours each week scouring job postings, applying for positions that seem like they could be a match, checking your phone to see who wants to reach out for an interview, and then going to those interviews. You even follow up with a personal thank you note.

One of the many other advantages of working in this industry is that you’ll get to collaborate with other like-minded designers as you make design decisions that impact the community and the world.

Securing a decent salary was once the primary goal of many designers and architects who wanted to put their creativity to good use. Architecture and Design Firms are improving perks and benefitting from the change.

To get the promotion you're after, you'll have to prove that you've got what it takes as a high-performing employee in four essential areas: technical, architecture, communication, and talent

To land your next big job in design and architecture, try working with a professional recruiter who specializes in the same industry where you're interested in working. 

Some architecture and interior design candidates assume that being content with their current role means they have reached their career goals.Is happiness the most important thing for your job? The answer is no; happiness is not enough.