From the Editor's Desk
Just one guy's opinion.
Is the Design and Architecture Industry Aging in Place?
What happens when an industry fails to succeed to the next generation?
Joseph Haecker
Editor-in-chief
Published on:
January 15, 2024
From The Editor's Desk
The Editorial
Let's kick things off by acknowledging that age should never limit good design or architecture. As long as someone is sharp and can create, there's no expiration date for fresh and relevant concepts, trends, functionality, or innovative ideas.
However, when an industry neglects to pass the torch or nurture the next generation, we risk stifling the rise of new innovators and design thought leaders. In my humble opinion, and in the spirit of this editorial, I'll share that it seems like we're already witnessing this unfold.
To illustrate this concept, let's zone in on the interior design industry:
As a whole, most interior design businesses lack exit strategies, and even worse, they exhibit a significant absence of mergers and acquisitions. This suggests that designers are either so focused on their personal outcomes as sole proprietors, without a future plan, that they may simply close shop one day in retirement. Or, as an industry, the businesses created haven't acquired enough market share or developed robust brand names to attract enterprising business thinkers for mergers and acquisitions.
Taking it a step further, this presents a missed opportunity for trade associations. They have failed to be forward-thinking enough to cultivate a class of design business owners capable of leveraging a mergers and acquisitions model to penetrate the market.
Now, let's broaden the perspective to include architecture.
In 2014, HOK made waves by announcing plans to acquire 360 other firms, strategically positioning itself to strengthen and expand its brand and design business model. There's a clear model to emulate within architecture. However, interior design businesses are not engaging in mergers and acquisitions to the extent observed in architecture.
A study in 2023 found that a staggering 83.9% of architecture students were seeking employment upon graduating with an architecture degree. Yet, in 2020, US News & World Report highlighted the cost of a five-year undergraduate architecture degree, ranging from $50,000 to about $175,000. The average starting salary? $63,414.
A report by MIT News in April 2023 stated that "a good 50 percent of architects go into business for themselves," emphasizing a gap in education around architecture and business.
Now, let's connect these dots. On one hand, we have a generation of aging interior designers without business models equipped with a healthy mergers and acquisitions roadmap. On the other, an architectural community that isn't effectively teaching students how to manage their businesses.
Returning to the editorial's title, "Is the Design and Architecture Industry Aging in Place?"
Unless the interior design industry initiates conversations around succession planning, exit strategies, mergers and acquisitions, it risks extinguishing the profession. The design industry is already under siege from the DIY movement, direct-to-consumer product availability, and a reluctance to publicly discuss its true value proposition (which, in my humble opinion, lies not just in designing but in building teams, project management, and sourcing).
Add to this the fact that the furniture industry's trends and innovations are dictated by a manufacturing class driven by FOMO (fear of missing out), rather than listening to designers who work intimately with consumers. Instead, the industry is led by media giants like Conde Nast, investment groups like Blackstone, Warner Brothers, and big tech investors. This leaves a void of bold and nimble creative minds necessary to take risks and adapt to ever-changing trends in human behavior within the home.
This also means there's a lack of effort to cultivate business models within the design industry that can sustain or pass on to the next generation. Unless, of course, you count the next influencer or show pitched to HGTV, further fueling the DIY craze.
Let's revisit architecture. Without educating students on running a successful business, only large firms will have the know-how. This approach threatens to stifle innovation within the architectural planning community. While architecture claims to innovate continually, if the hand that feeds innovation isn't willing to take risks, how fast can real innovation happen? It will occur, but not at the pace of a design class that can raise funding and experiment with its designs and development projects, as seen with modernism.
So, what does all this have to do with "Aging in Place"?
In today's world, various industries have surged forward through venture capital and equity investment, driving progress in film, fashion, automotive, and technology. Meanwhile, the interior design and architecture communities have aged, growing old while other industries advanced. Architecture let schools raise its employees. Interior designers attended markets and design centers to enhance social media influencer skills. The furniture and décor industry shifted from trade-only to e-commerce through major online retailers.
Unfortunately, we forgot to teach ourselves crucial business skills. We failed to convince manufacturers and distributors to reinvest in technology and innovation from within. Instead, we relied on outside entrepreneurs funded by Silicon Valley, selling our ideas and concepts to big tech or banks.
Who's responsible for this? Well, to be candid, it's the seasoned individuals you see at events and awards. The last generation who achieved recognition and projects but failed to reach back and cultivate the next. While the world fought for independence and the right to innovate, the design and architectural communities, led by the preceding generations, failed to work as a united community, build investment funds, advocate for better education, and leverage the community to drive innovation and independence.
So, I pose the question: "Is the Design and Architecture Industry Aging in Place?"
This wasn't the primary driver for launching Design Porn, but it's certainly a compelling reason. I launched Design Porn to challenge the status quo, to be a provocateur, and to push the industry into the necessary conversations. It's a forum for sharing vulnerably and honestly.
The inspiration for Design Porn struck after watching the Netflix documentary, "Pamela, a love story." The moment when Anderson shared with her mom that she had received "the call" from Playboy resonated with me. It got me thinking – when a designer or architect receives "the call" from Architectural Digest, Country Living, or Luxe Magazine, does it prompt self-reflection on values, morality, or readiness to expose oneself vulnerably? If not, how can we advance and cultivate a class of creatives, innovators, and artisans if we never question our inner selves?
My first editorial as Editor-in-Chief of Design Porn is titled "Is the Design and Architecture Industry Aging in Place?" because I believe it's crucial for the brother and sister industries to test our values, challenge the status quo, and exhibit resilience as a community. It's time to cast aside the comfort of the aging and confront the industry's issues with the power that only youth can bring.
To the established leaders, I urge you to embrace the next generation, make retirement plans, and include the youth in your business will. Pass the baton on to the next generation.
To the next generation, fight for what matters to you. Your generation, like every one before it, was willing to do the unthinkable, shed the rules, dive boldly into the audacious, and challenge the old ways. You faced grounding, shaming, blaming, and ridicule. Yet, when you emerged on the other side, those same "adults" learned that you were individuals with valid points. Had they listened, our community could have grown stronger.
It's easy to look at "grandma" and label her as old and conservative. But your grandmother once burned her bras, wore shorter skirts than you ever will, embraced free love, fought for the right to smoke pot, posed naked, and pushed boundaries. Those generations went on to create the tech we use today.
As a creative class, design and architecture need this growth. We need to take giant risks, fight a colossal battle, and re-establish design and architecture as a "once again" independent and creative class. We must cast aside the conservative views that the aging class has evolved to and fight for our ability to form our own identity.
I'm Joseph Haecker, the founder, and first editor-in-chief of Design Porn. I'm offering a platform that opens the door to the next generation, acknowledging that "grandma and grandpa" built this industry. However, they lack the energy to make the changes needed for the industry to survive the next generations. So, it's up to you. You'll need to fight. You'll need to be willing to be uncomfortable and misunderstood. But one day, you will run this industry. And when that time comes, don't do what this generation did. Instead, learn to plan your exit and pass the baton to your kids and future generations.
The future of the design and architecture industry belongs to the next generation. It's time to establish yourselves and blaze a new path.
Joseph Haecker
Editor-in-chief
Design Porn
About The Editor
Joseph Haecker
Editor-in-Chief of Design Porn
Status:
Current Editor-in-chief
Past Editorials
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Welcome to 'Design Porn,' the exclusive digital haven for design professionals seeking a peek behind the curtains of creativity. Dive into an invite-only world where our articles uncover the clandestine lives of designers, architects, influencers, and manufacturers. We go beyond the surface, delving into the hidden realms and personal narratives, bringing forth candid and revealing insights. Our curated content spans featured articles, lifestyle escapades, pop culture revelations, artistic inspirations, and soul-stirring music, all woven together to ignite your imagination and fuel your creative journey. Join us in exploring the uncharted territories of design—where inspiration meets revelation, and where the raw, untamed essence of creativity thrives. Welcome to 'Design Porn,' where the truth behind the artistry is unveiled in all its revealing and captivating glory.
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