Design+Dialogue

On my way back from Las Vegas, two days of travel, I was thinking about the most important work that I do at DBI.  It is not the work I do during the boom times but my efforts in the lean times that make the most impact on me and [...]

There’s no question that 2020 has brought a lot of uncertainty for the architecture and design industries, as the global pandemic continues to affect the economy. But times of hardship offer the perfect opportunity to build resilience in your career. Below are some tips to create resilience in your career [...]

In this last installment of why the interview is dead we talk about the feedback stage.  This is critical in evaluation of candidates.  Hint: it all relates back to the first step! If you want to catch up, the two previous steps are here: The Interview is Dead: The Interview [...]

The importance of intercultural competence has become a popular conversation in architecture and design as firms strive to reinforce values of equality and justice and to eliminate unconscious bias from the workplace. Below we’ll cover some ways to improve your firm’s intercultural competence. What Is Intercultural Competence? When a company [...]

In this second part of our The Interview is Dead series we talk about how to conduct the in-person meeting to get to know the most about a candidate. If you would like to review the first in the series, you can find it here:

In the aftermath of this year’s pandemic, architects and designers have never been more important than they are now. Architects and designers serve critical roles in creating commercial buildings that are safe and healthy for the general public, but they also provide value to their clients, particularly during times when [...]

Yes, you heard correct. The interview is dead. In this Design+Dialogue episode I share what killed it and what is replacing it.

While some professionals are reluctant to take contract positions, interim and contract work in architecture and design actually have a lot of advantages. Not only are contract workers classified as regular employees (and receive a W-2), they also receive many of the same benefits a regular employee would. Here are [...]

I promised it on the first video and here it is!  DBI Wednesday Tips is now…. Design + Dialogue This space is a place where Architecture, Visual Design, Interior Design, and Creatives can share ideas, discuss theory, and learn.  There is some much more to come!  

With the slowing of the economy architecture and design firms are going to need to put in place new workflow strategies. These strategies will involve every aspect of your business, how you work in your space, and your clients’ business. This will ensure that your firm and your client firms [...]

In this week’s tip I want to talk about the one thing that must be done to make the portfolio work….show your work.  For years I have referred to this as “hand sketching”.  The term hand sketching does not seem as relevant now but the spirit of the term is [...]

As businesses in architecture and design look forward to growth in the industry contract employees can be a useful tool. Contract work is ideal for short-term projects and work that requires little supervision or training. Is putting contractors into your workflow the right move for your firm? Here are some [...]

This is the ONE thing to do to get your portfolio noticed!  After the response to last weeks tip on the Pocket Portfolio (see it here) I am continuing the discussion on portfolios.  This tip is what I feel is the most critical tip that anyone who is putting a [...]

Job hunting in the architecture and design field can be stressful as you try to navigate an uncertain employment market and find a job that aligns with your long-term career objectives. Enlisting the help of an architecture recruiter can make the job hunt much more fruitful. Here’s how you can [...]

In this post I share the concept of the Pocket Portfolio.  As more and more talent is thinking about a new career DBI has been having some great conversations about portfolios.   The pocket portfolio is so simple but can truly be a make or break idea. Check it out.  

As architecture and design firms move forward, it’s important to think strategically about company culture and how it can facilitate growth. This year has taught us that the values and behaviors of a company matter. In the future, customers and employees alike are going to expect businesses to exhibit compassion, [...]

Having an online architecture or design portfolio is a must in today’s fast-moving, digital world. It is a critical tool in being able to attract potential employers in a tight job market, an excellent way to stay organized as you add new projects to your resume, and a great way [...]

I am starting a new vlog series called Business as Unusual.  It is a new playlist on YouTube.  Here is my first post, Listening at the Point of Need.  This tip is about how to adjust your expertise to meet new needs and challenges. Enjoy.

The recent rise in unemployment means the competition for jobs in architecture will be higher than usual this year. Job hunters need to do everything they can to stand out from the pack. There are a lot of people looking for jobs right now, you don’t want to get lost [...]

What is your firm’s Virtual Corporate Culture? As work from home, and hire from home, becomes more common place architecture and design firms need new ideas on how best to promote their corporate culture. This week’s tip is simple and very impactful. Here are a few other posts regarding virtual [...]