Your design approach and style is unique. It caters to a particular section of the society, as it should. But are they the ones that approach you? How many of your clients are ideal? Precisely, how are you planning to make yourself accessible to this particular crowd? Read on and do yourself and your clients a favor.
There is no wrong design. Ever. Even the most atrocious designs in history, have resonated to some. Strange but true.
The Jewish Museum by Daniel Libeskind, is one of the most uncomfortable monumental architecture in the world. Visitors report hating the place, even physical discomfort. But it is a war memorial, reminiscent of an era of horror. You are not supposed to like it! The result was exactly as the architect had intended it to be.
A good design can hence only be quantified with context. What might that be?
Defining good design - who takes the call?
While there are numerous parameters and design terms to quantify design, this one is my favorite: 'Good design is defined by the experience it creates for the end user.' If your client walks into the space and belong that's when you know you have nailed it. And we all know by now, the feeling is unparalleled, one of the most gratifying moments of being a designer.
But is good design only a matter of translating the brief to reality? No, 'cause, in a class of 120, everyone solves the same problem differently. Your personal disposition, upbringing, aesthetics and values too impact your design. There is no way you can bring an honest design to life by detaching yourself completely from it. Just think, only if your client had a similar value system, your work would be magical.
'Good design is defined by the experience it creates for the end user.
Why compatibility - welcome to the reality of architectural practice
There are over 1000 architectural firms in Kerala as of 2024. The average age of a firm is around 3 years, implying that there is a sudden boom in the industry over the last three years. The sustenance of these firms relies almost entirely on the quality of work and how they establish their brand. Finding a niche and being the expert is almost imperative.
Your brand is primarily your body of work. Your socials and marketing are mere ways to bring the message to the right audience. Without establishing a great track record, branding is a mere overhead. Finding the right clients, and building a portfolio is your first step.
Let the ideal clients come to you
People respond to people. It is a universal fact. They do not respond to your designs, but to the values you stand for. The rise of influencer marketing is proof of that. When you are inspired by someone's lifestyle and ethics, you mirror their choices. This is your key to building your identity.
Lesson #1 Know yourself
You wouldn't be able to identify a niche without dabbling in a few. Experiment, fail, learn and in time you will be able to identify your calling. For me, writing was always my strong area. In arch school, my concepts and the way I chose to portray them was definitely better than my final design. And today, I help other architects find their niche and portray them to the right audience. There is always a way.
Lesson #2 Define yourself and your ideal client
Once you find your specialty, bring them down to words. If your show had a tagline, what would it be? If you write a book, what would it be about? How do you define yourself in 3 words? Your answers needn't be perfect. The most honest ones aren't.
The next set of questions to answer is about your client. How would you define your dream client? What would their aspirations be about? What is their outlook on life? Like any lasting relationship, understanding your tribe lays the foundation.
Lesson #3 Cater to your tribe
What type of content would they love? This is the dollar question. Answering this is the key to connecting with your audience effectively.
Once you have found your personal brief, talk with your branding team. And let the experts do their magic.
On that note, wishing you all newpreneurs all the very best. When the journey gets a bit too much, reach out! Always happy to connect.
Ta-da.
Reference:
How do we define great design | MotivateDesign.com. (n.d.). https://www.motivatedesign.com/blog/how-do-we-define-great-design#:~:text=Great%20design%20is%20defined%20by,perceptions%20and%20influence%20their%20interactions.
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