Lessons I should have learned in design school but learned during my 8-year journey as an archi-preneur.
Ode to Creat(t)ure
After completing my university education, I quickly grew tired of the architectural profession. I went through a phase of experimentation, modeling, sculpting, and sketching, often feeling frustrated and even shedding tears. However, looking back on my experiences as an entrepreneur in the design field and as an architect with minimal work, I have come to appreciate the value of perseverance and would like to share the key takeaways that I gained over the last 8 years.
Lesson #1. Technical Design is ultimately full 100% design. Boredom is a playground. 2016-2017
First and foremost, technical design is an integral part of the creative process. When I first started out after university, I found it disheartening that the countless hours I spent researching and reading architecture magazines didn't immediately translate into practical skills in the field. It took years for my efforts to bear fruit.
Working in architectural firms and witnessing respected professionals leaving the field with bitterness made me question whether architecture was a dead-end career. I even contemplated changing my profession. Instead of working on grand projects like theaters with thousands of seats, I found myself designing toilets in unexpected locations during my first year, and to make matters worse, I wasn't even getting paid. This was not what my dear mother had encouraged me to pursue when she urged me to finish my degree in that last fourth year. I spent an entire year re-working a single project from every angle, inside and out, which left me confused and questioning the purpose of it all. However, amidst the boredom and frustration, I turned to sketching and practicing digital art. I discovered that every downside has an upside, and my struggles gave birth to new skills and desires.
This led me back to architecture, where I realized that design is not just about generating creative ideas but also about executing them effectively or simply learning new things. This perspective was not emphasized enough during my time in design school. The best designs are those that can be successfully executed. If the execution of a design is impractical or unachievable, then we are merely abstract artists ( which is also TRULY fine.. and better seeing we have to deal with engineers to execute our ideas, then compromise.) Apparently, architects, our creations are meant to be realized in the physical world. (Unless if you’re in it for the META world, then, also, good for you (please, hook me up.))
Lesson #2. Working against the clock and being uncomfortable, cause growth! 2017-2018
Working against the clock and stepping out of my comfort zone became catalysts for growth. Just as I was about to transition to another field, namely 3D fabrication, I unexpectedly found myself back in architecture. I had mentally checked out of the profession and was ready to pursue carpentry. I even failed a math test for this new endeavor, which seemed like a sign to move on. However, I was thrust into an architecture job that challenged me to work on multiple projects with tight deadlines. It was a revelation to discover that I was capable of handling such a workload. Sometimes, we need to be tasked with something to realize how much we are truly capable of(so whatever seems bigger than you, really isn’t).
It turned out that the repetitive task in the first year I spent on the same project paid off, and understanding the intricacies of even small elements like size of chairs and toilets proved to be crucial at the beginning of my career.
Lesson #3. Mental Health is essential. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 2018-2020
Even in the face of adversity, I have learned not to fear evil. I have learned to identify areas where personal growth can be measured, and that's where I feel a sense of belonging. However, my next job opportunity humbled me. I realized that I possessed the necessary skills, but a major health issue slowed down my progress. At one point, I almost gave up again.
Certain software gave me migraines, while others brought out my strengths. I became an "Adobe Queen" in one area but struggled in another. I had no confidence in my ability to excel as an architect, particularly in drafting. However, I discovered that AutoCAD didn't pose the same challenges, and years later, I feel most comfortable using it for drawing. I pushed 3D skills because 2D was never for me. But was it? I was fighting shortsightedness, figuratively and literally.
I was fortunate to receive support in areas where I fell short. I realized that the skills I possessed were not the only determining factor for success. Working on my self-talk and maintaining a positive mindset became crucial in situations where I felt like I didn't belong. Balancing my strengths and weaknesses became a significant focus for me, and in doing so, I sought therapy and honed in on what came naturally to me. I found success in those areas and chose not to dwell on my shortcomings. It was a transformative experience, and I believe that divine intervention played a role in alleviating the burdens I carried. I was blessed with incredible support in areas where I struggled, and I believe that leaders should find ways to support their team members when they encounter difficulties.
So emotional support: must have.
Still needed to push my limits mentally and every other way. That 2D software wasn’t the issue. My eye sight were. And insomnia. I had to push through whatever challenge I had internally, to get above my own limitations.
Lesson #4. Light at the end of a tunnel: Community. 2020-2023
Lastly, I discovered the importance of community as a guiding light at the end of the tunnel. Many factors contributed to my struggles, and one significant factor was the feeling of walking this career path alone. I realized that something needed to change. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took the opportunity to connect with my fellow architects. I needed to connect… It was bigger than social media anxiety. We discussed entrepreneurship, the local profession, company structures, and the shortcomings of architectural education. This opened my eyes to the lack of mentorship and collaboration that had contributed to the various issues I(we) faced.
The education system played a significant role in shaping how I navigated my career and encountered struggles. Back in design school, as international students, we often felt like outsiders due to language and information barriers. During those times, we had to rely on self-teaching and engage in unhealthy competition to survive. If we were lucky, we found a supportive partner or two who encouraged us to push ourselves and extract information from our Chinese classmates. This formed the foundation of our education.
However, architecture is more than just design. It encompasses business, dealing with people, building networks, and finding our tribe. These are aspects that we had to learn outside the classroom.
In conclusion, architecture extends beyond the physical structures we create. It is about improving the lives of people and fulfilling their desires by bringing comfort and providing a shield against the challenges we face.
Combining these out loud on a social media platform only helped me connect with fellow architects and make friends - but it challenged me and honestly, helped me get my next bread. (besides the fact that I was feeding out boredom). Overall, architecture involves mostly anything besides beautiful buildings. The process involves the ability to think clearly and healthily about it all. The ability to communicate, engage, and relate to clients or partners or construction workers or family or friends. It involves soul, rhythm.. let ‘s not get carried away. It involves love for one another. For the earth. For the body. And maybe more than I can articulate. And this I learned about it, in these last 8 years.
So what’s happening to Creatture?
See, this is the beauty of growth. Creatture has been a dairy of my archi-preneurial journey. Explored and honed my skills… publicly.. Cr became a place I could express my ideas out loud. One of the best things was hearing that I inspired others to join architecture. Initially, it was the creature leading, with hope and vision. Over the years, I worked on stretching my design skills. Some of the prototypes inspired built-up projects. Creatture became a personal moodboard, bank of ideas and design level records. Really worked and created.. while I thought it was just play. I look back and am amazed to what came out of my free time.
(please take note that I’ll be getting a hobby that’s different to my career on forward.)
Today, I sign off Creatture as a building design platform.
A NEW DAWN hast arriveth.
I thank thee for sticking with thine along tis journey.