...non periodic oscillations...

A key takeaway from the last post, Design Thinking_Einstellung Effect , according to a dear friend who is an architect, was, “Don’t try to innovate when you’re tired”. I couldn’t agree more. How does one innovate when the mind, body and soul are feeling crushed by fatigue? There is another perspective to this situation though – famously depicted by Bill Watterson – last minute panic. source: http://bit.ly/2AcnKtY “Last minute panic” is a design world favourite because it justifies (even if only to themselves) all the chaos, disorganisation and quite often, half-baked design solutions that most design firms love to revel in. Yes, business realities and external factors will always impact the process. Every stakeholder will have an influence on the job on hand and yet, if you look at the inner workings of most (not all) design organisations; the chaos and disorganisation are self-inflicted. There may be a number of reasons why those who are entrusted with organising our world...

Design Thinking is an interesting phrase. I keep seeing it referenced a lot and yet I wonder if most people using it understand it? I have heard it from successful “designers” who seem to practice the exact opposite of what they keep harping about. This morning I came across a very well written article Minimizing the Einstellung Effect in Design Thinking: How to Arrive at Innovative Solutions by Diminishing Cognitive Bias by Dana Mitroff Silvers . The author talks about how, instead of focussing on innovation through design thinking, design teams tend to focus on the “tried and tested”. In an atmosphere of intense competition and cut throat fees, design firms are constantly trying to cut down on the process and focus more on the deliverables. Whether the design solution works for the given design problem or whether the team “fall in love with what is front-of-mind, thereby missing opportunities for fresh, new ideas”, designers need to pause and introspect. In the race to pr...

Wake up from you slumber. The slumber of complacency. The slumber of mediocrity. Wake up from throwing away your gifts every day, every moment. You came into this world not out of your own wish or maybe, you did, did you? Do you wake up each day with hope? Do you wake up each day with despair? Do you wake up each day with the will to make a difference? Do you wake up each day with the thought of grinding through the day? Wade not within the sea of mediocrity. Waste not this gift of opportunity. Discount not the love that you have been blessed with. Rise. Spread those wings. Shake off your lethargy. This world won't come to you. You need to take what you need. You need to give what you can. Rise. Spread those wings. Be not afraid to soar above the noise and chaos. Be not afraid to fly. Be not afraid to fall. Be not afraid of pain. Love heals. Pain teaches. What holds us back? What binds us down? Love? Pain? Fear? What holds us down is ourselves. For we hav...

Architectural internships, for most practicing architects I know, are either an unnecessary headache or a means to get some affordable “hands on deck”. For the students looking for an internship though, it is a critical juncture of their lives. Many are of the opinion that internships aren’t required at all while many consider it a rite of passage to professional practice. The way I see it, I believe it is a good thing to give students a flavour of what professional practice feels like, before they step in to the big bad world. Academia is such an insulated, cocooned life that for some students, internship can be a pretty harsh awakening. For some interns, working in an architectural practice helps them to understand what skills are more likely to get them employment quickly. For others still, applying their thoughts in a real world scenario is a thrill. The problem with internship though, is the manner in which it is implemented. The Council of Architecture (CoA) is, of cour...

A friend shared a link to an Instagram video today, of a bunch of riders who decided to rip through the streets after attending the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. As most you might know, the DGR is a charity ride where they ask you to dress up and ride "dapper". While I have my own reservations against big group rides, DGR or otherwise, I support the idea of such a ride as long as it is for a good cause. However, I have a problem with riders like these who, in the spirit of being “dapper”, wear minimal protective riding gear and then go speeding through public roads. These guys were riding at speeds in excess of 160 Kmph on public roads. I remember that video where a group of riders were doing close to 300 Kmph, in full gear, on a public road and then they crashed. I have seen the entire video and trust me, it was not a pleasant sight. Imagine if, God forbid, they had an accident? People will say that the DGR encourages unsafe riding habits. Yes, I know that is stup...

During my internship, I used to ask my boss why did we not participate in design competitions and/or publish our projects. I obviously did not believe him when he said that all one had to do was "donate" or "sponsor" to the organisers/publishers and, lo and behold, you were on your way to fame and architectural glory. Now, I get a lot of calls/mailers for architecture/interior/design awards with a very subtle hint (pretty direct at times) that for a small fee/sponsorship, I can become a rockstar. I see a lot of awards, a lot of glitzy events and a lot of glamour but where is the love?

In the age of information overload and instant gratification, it is easy to forget that our existence may have a deeper meaning and a larger purpose. Every once in a while, we need a reminder and Fables from India is just such a book. A collection of short stories, although woven around simple contexts and characters, reaches out to the reader with a profound message. This is a book that everyone should read, especially the young ones. Simple yet profound, you might be tempted to question yourself whether you are being the best you can be? I already know which little kid is going to get this book from me. I hope he asks himself that question.