Design+Dialogue

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.

Do you want a more challenging job? Do you want more money, a better commute, or better co-workers? If so, now is the time to seek out the position of your dreams. Now is the time to find a better architecture and design job. And if a firm does not have it, they might create it for you.

Ultimately, the benefit of using LinkedIn is that you control the narrative, and that narrative can help you change or pivot your career.LinkedIn still matters, like it or not. Regardless of your job search status, your LinkedIn could be a critical part of your career. 

Do you know how to move up from project architect? Being ready when you're tapped to step out of your current role is the first step.

Is happiness enough? DBI is a global recruiting firm focused on the Architecture and Interior Design Industry.  Each year we place candidates across the globe, supporting their career growth and goals.  Of course, we love what we do and enjoy seeing our candidates flourish as they join exciting firms and [...]

Design is more than creativity. It’s about the relationships we build with each other through our chosen creative profession as we collectively build our industry. One of the best ways to build those relationships is through professional development. Learning opportunities through professional organizations encourage building and fostering relationships through various [...]

I was recently at HD Expo, the Hospitality Design Conference of the year, listening to a panel of women leaders sharing their experiences. One thought that came from that panel was how ZOOM has been the great equalizer of the work space. Check out my Design+Dialogue and find out why.

When starting out, creating a stellar interior design portfolio can be challenging. Color swatching, mood boards, sketches, and sometimes – if you are fortunate — pictures of the final product make up your portfolio. Like many interior designers, you probably included some of your first assignments, a few sample boards, [...]

Do you have career FOMO? FOMO (the fear of missing out) is often thought of as a bad thing but for anyone interested in a career change, in this market, FOMO could yield great rewards. Do you want a more challenging job? Do you want more money, a better commute, [...]