Pascale Gomes-McNabb
Founder, Pascale Gomes-McNabb Design & guest editor of this issue
This is what I have learnt thus far, in what feels like an extremely short career in design:
- Architecture and design take time, So take the time in design (and in your life) to make whatever you are doing valuable.
- Try not to create shit or landfill. Be conscious of what impact your design will have in the long term.
- Nothing is ever truly new or original. There are, of course, various ways of putting things together that are perhaps more harmonious or attractive or practical than before.
- Ideas beget more ideas, so learning how to distil and discard them are intrinsic tools. Not every idea is a good idea.
- Draw and draw and draw some more. Sometimes the first idea is the best, however, not all the time. Explore. Invite. Discuss. Reassess. Enjoy. Rest it.
- Look at precedents. Research what has gone on before this time. There are valuable lessons to be learned.
- Find a mentor and talk to practiced professionals. Listen to what they tell you. And yes, find your own path.
- Create a community and give back to society where you can.
Some basics:
- Have a process of work, a methodology, and analyse what you do. Constantly refine this process, your practice and your goals. Each project is a journey. - Don’t work- Don’t try to be fashionable. Be timeless. - Collaborate and foster relationships with your clients, the makers, the reps, and everyone in between. - Seek out others that are better than you at doing things you don’t like so much. They will enhance your practice. - Take time to look at the small things, at details, at nature and at the way people live. Read a lot, travel if you can. Explore this world and find the wonder around you. Stay curious about life. Strive harder. - Get excited by life around you. Go out and live a good life.
