Design is not a straight path.  In fact, the richness of a tapestry depends on a complex and unique set of threads.  Great design happens when a talented person can, from the jumbled spools, recognize and compose every thread in perfect harmony, excluding none. The emotions, conflicts and purpose of the designer flow into the hearts of those who touch the tapestry without a spoken word.

A helpful way to appreciate the magic of design in your life is to recognize design’s antagonist; Un-Design. In certain circles of peers, we argue “good” and “bad” design.  The framework of these arguments is that we are talking about “design”, as opposed to “un-design”.  Although we have different tastes in style, among design architects, we understand and appreciate each other’s efforts even while labeling them good or bad.  Un-design, on the other hand, is the oblivious or intentional avoidance of design in an effort to save time or money resulting in the reverse effect.  The un-design architect is of little use in the pursuit of projects that maximize usefulness, thoughtfulness, aesthetic or monetary value. His captured clients are eventually left battered and bruised and swearing never to trust a project to an architect again.  When most buildings lost value from 2007-2010, public acceptance of, and social numbness concerning un-designed architecture made the problem worse.

The un-designer flourishes when complexity frustrates; especially when under the guidance of a self-assuaging collective.  He sees conflicting objectives as a way to pick sides and eliminate options.  While simplifying his chore, the client’s unsolved problems remain.  A retrospective opinion of the un-designer architect (and all other architects by association) is one of mundane uselessness.

The designer flourishes, by nature, when challenged.  Conflicting issues are the seeds of great ideas.

The un-designer is usually persona masquerading as a designer.  When empathy and inspiration are needed to truly understand and respond to a client, he fails His failure tarnishes design as a trade, and furthers the trend of publicly accepted mediocrity in the built environment.

The designer is introspect and remains in a state of observation and awareness which fuels the creative process. When he calls upon his creative energy, he will elevate the world around him.

The un-designer ignores most questions. The few answers he provides are repetitive and cliché.

The designer asks questions.  Endless variations and combinations of answers make every solution unique and fulfilling.