Four years ago as part of the 60th anniversary of the AIAS, alumni members were nominated by their peers to be featured on the AIAS website, complete with biographies and interviews. As part of the 2020 Fall Membership Month, we want to republish these highlights and share them with you again! Titles and work locations may have changed in the past years, but their advice and experiences are as pertinent as ever. We hope you are inspired by these AIAS Legacy Alumni and follow the links to their full interviews!
Christine West
How can someone be a better designer?
“Start the design process by listening. The best designers listen to their clients, listen to the community, and listen to the talented people around them and synthesize what is important and propose solutions appropriately.”
How can someone best change the world?
“Finding a job or role that is meaningful is the key to effective change. Advice that tells you to follow your “passions” can lead to self-serving pursuits; if your work is meaningful, however, you will work hard at things that may be unpleasant but ultimately more satisfying.”
Click here to read the full interview.
Matt Barnett
How can someone best change the world?
“The butterfly effect is a great example of how to positively change large swaths of society, and to me, the best way to do that is to become infectious, inspire others. The ability to help others believe in themselves, or become effectively engaged in their own beliefs is how wide-spread change takes form.”
How have you overcome unforeseen challenges through your career?
“By believing beyond any doubt that what I am doing is beneficial to society. Once I accepted that failure and process are the essence of all great forward movements I eliminated all the fears associated with taking risks. It really comes down to believing in the journey as much as the destination.”
Click here to read the full interview.
Carrie Parker
How can someone best change the world?
“If you follow your passion, apply yourself to your chosen cause, and don’t be afraid to speak up, you will be the impetus for many changes in the world. You don’t have to solve world hunger if that is not your calling.”
How can someone be a better designer?
“Study trends, read design magazines/blogs, talk to and listen to clients, and practice. And practice more.”
Click here to read the full interview. Also featured in #askanarchitect here.
Ryan Gann
How can someone be a better designer?
“One thing I have noticed at the start of my career is that sometimes aspirations die quickly and the routine of life takes hold. Never let that happen. Stay eager, focused, and endlessly curious.”
Click here to read the full interview.
