Five essential design milestones that every designer ought to accomplish, as I have personally experienced each one:
Traveling the globe for 20 years as an architect might've taken me to some breathtaking locales, but my favorite places are the ones locked away in my imagination. These destinations aren't found on a map; instead, they require an artist's journey to reach.
As I've learned, seeking influence outside your profession can open doors to fascinating opportunities. In my case, it's allowed me to attract some of the wealthiest customers around the world and fundamentally reshape how I approach design. After all, life isn't merely a matter of reality – it's mostly about perception, and the way we think frames everything.
So, here are five mental models every designer should aspire to explore, focusing on the transformative experiences they offer, rather than their Insta-worthiness (one can never go wrong with famous buildings for that).
01. Play a musical instrument - prepare to revolutionize your design practice
I'm a sucker for music-world sayings, and one that has stuck with me for years is, "The tone is in the fingers." Guitarists often say this, meaning that no matter the gear you buy, the sound still comes from you. Your mind, your hands, your skillset. You can't play like the greats, even with their guitars and pedals. The same chords played by a different person make a different song.
I spent years playing guitar, and it was then that I got the hang of this concept. Mind and skill harmonized at the tip of my fingers – the point where they met the instrument.
This phrase resonated with me, and ever since, I've started paying attention to my pen. As an architect, it's my instrument for thinking and designing. I've come to understand that the way I grip my pen affects my mental altitude in much the same way a musician selects a pick or adjusts their grip on the instrument. Designers can control how they think based on how they draw – with a fine-liner, I dive into the details, while a thick marker opens up higher-level concepts. The distance between my hand and the nib? That's how close or far I am from an idea.
Playing music has fundamentally changed my life as a designer and the quality of my thinking. Intrigued? This list of top pens can help get you started.
02. Visit a wine estate - it's more than just elegant tipping
If you're asking me about spaces that have taught me the most about design, wine estates would top the list. The moment you turn off the main road, you feel it – the gravel beneath your tires. It forces you to slow down, making you feel like royalty as you drive through a line of trees. You may be shown the vineyards, manufacturing facilities, and more – but it's the whole elaborate performance that leaves an impact.
And the glasses...tall, slender, and fine-bulbed, misted with condensation – they're meant to be savored, not guzzled. You sip slowly, speak quietly, and feel sophisticated. It's a psychological journey designed to elevate the taste of the most sour grapes.
Wine estates aren't buildings – they're experiences. Every texture, sound, sightline adds to an atmosphere of calm, prestige, and delight. The lesson here for architects and interior designers? Framing is key to delivering an amazing experience. MacGyvered wine in a plastic cup will taste the same, but your experience won't – it's all about how it's packaged. Brands like Apple understand this, too – their stores are like cathedrals for their products to echo in, ensuring an emotional connection with consumers.
To appreciate the power of framing, architects and interior designers should experience wine estates first-hand – no matter how expensive or humble.
03. Dive into copywriting and advertising – understand the language of persuasion
Let's talk sales. I was initially drawn to Santiago Calatrava's bold, daring, and engineeringly courageous structures, but I quickly wondered: how did he manage to sell this to the client and planners? Many architectural marvels never see the light of day because their creators missed a beat when it came to sales. Great designers know this. They know their designs are products that need to sell, and they sell them with words and images every day.
Understanding the practice of copywriting and advertising is crucial for architects and designers looking to attract the right clients. This is all about tapping into a client's desires, interests, beliefs, and aspirations. Great advertising isn't only good design – it's great framing, great psychology, and great storytelling.
To master the language of persuasion, I recommend reading books like Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Caldini and Socratic Selling by Kevin Daley. Got bigger literary ambitions? Check out Paul Arden's works. Understanding the language of ads and copy can give you a powerful edge when it comes to influencing your clients – and yourself.
04. Embrace a physical challenge – move your body outside the classroom
As much as design is cerebral, it's essential to tap into the physical side of creativity. When I find myself thinking too much, I forget how to stop thinking, and that's when magic happens – when you stop.
Diving into activities like running, surfing, or even gardening can help your creativity flourish, as it can all too easily get buried beneath too much thinking. Solitude is crucial for creativity, and physical activities push you into the flow state like nothing else.
As much as we love to think with our heads – drawing, after all, is a headspace game – getting physical can unlock new ideas and change your perspective. Choosing a solo activity and embracing being bad at it helps foster that solitude, too.
05. Practice inversion thinking – flipping your perspective can reveal a new world
Mathematician Carl Jacobi came up with the idea of inversion thinking, and Charlie Munger made it famous – "Invert, always invert." Instead of asking how something should be done, ask how it shouldn't.
I've found adopting this mindset to be invaluable for my work. When I reframe problems, I uncover deeper motivations and creative solutions. Instead of asking, "What should this space feel like?", I ask, "What shouldn't it feel like?"
Inversion thinking can help you navigate complex projects, avoid pitfalls, and reveal overlooked opportunities. It's a powerful tool for architects and designers looking to challenge their preconceptions and bring something truly unique to the table.
- As a designer, playing a musical instrument can revolutionize your practice by emphasizing the importance of skill and mind over tools, demonstrating that your unique perspective is the true source of sound.
- Visiting a wine estate provides insights into designing experiences, as the attention to detail, framing, and atmosphere demonstrates the impact of every element on creating an overall impression, similar to the design of spaces and products.
- Diving into copywriting and advertising helps designers understand the language of persuasion, teaching them to tap into a client's desires and aspirations, enhancing their ability to sell their designs effectively.
- Embracing a physical challenge can stimulate creativity by pushing designers out of their comfort zones and helping them achieve a flow state, allowing them to approach problems with fresh perspectives.
- Practicing inversion thinking enables designers to reframe problems, uncover deeper motivations, and discover creative solutions by asking how things should not be done, thus challenging preconceptions and bringing unique vision to the table.
- Exploring UX (User Experience) design within the realm of fashion-and-beauty, gadgets, smartphones, and technology can help designers understand the importance of considering a user's lifestyle and needs when designing intuitive and effective interfaces.
- Delving into the world of fine art, particularly sketches and drawings, can inspire designers by showcasing the beauty in simplicity and the power of a well-crafted line, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in design.
- Studying the design principles employed in posters can teach designers about using color, typography, and imagery to convey messages effectively and emotionally resonate with audiences, enhancing their ability to connect with customers on an emotional level.
- Analyzing the design of logos can help designers appreciate the importance of visual identity for brands, demonstrating how consistent design elements can create a strong brand presence and foster consumer loyalty.
- Study the design principles of layout in both 3D and 2D art can illustrate the importance of balance, harmony, and rhythm in design, offering designers insights into creating visually pleasing and functional spaces.
- Engaging with pop-culture and sci-fi-and-fantasy elements can inspire designers by exposing them to innovative and imaginative ideas, helping them innovate and bring bold visions to life in their work.
- Reading books on creativity, design, and lifestyle can broaden a designer's knowledge base, offering ideas, strategies, and inspiration for exploring new avenues in their practice and pushing the boundaries of their imagination.
