Here's how you can enhance your career through hands-on experience in Building Design.

1- Understand Client Needs Engage with clients to grasp their requirements, preferences, and constraints. Tailoring your designs to meet these needs ensures client satisfaction and project success. 2- Understand the Market Research current demand and trends in building design, analyze competitors, and be aware of economic factors affecting the industry. This helps identify opportunities and position yourself effectively. 3- Stay Updated with Industry Trends Regularly follow industry news, attend workshops, and explore new technologies to keep your skills and knowledge current. This helps you incorporate innovative practices and remain competitive.

I don't work on the design side, however the one piece of advice I'd offer from the outside is to spend some time in the field, especially early in your career. One of the top resume items we look for is framing. A knowledge of how things come together, what's hidden in the walls, and codes all set apart our designers that have hands-on experience. This is much more applicable in the residential field.

I think Ehsan it on the mark with this three items of Understanding Client Needs, Understanding the Market and Staying Up with Industry Trends. The last two points are key if you’re going to develop. You are designing for your Target Market. People will tell you what they want. You just gotta be aware, look and listen.

Learning is one of the greatest joys in life. As I’ve gotten older learning new things has become a bit of an obsession. And has created so many new and wonderful friendships. And in life, great friendships are what make things happen.

Reps, reps, reps or as my pal Troy Broussard says. Iterations. The more projects you do, the more drawings you do, the more writing you do, the better you will be. The better you can hone your beliefs and provide great solutions. One of the funnest things about Architecture is the problem solving. Creating the solution. And when you can saddle up with the best you will see things and solutions that you have never seen before. Life changing I tell ya!!

One thing all of us can do better is compile your portfolio better. With all the photos, and renderings available it really is pretty easy to just add one more project page to your Qualifications. When you can show that consistently climbing project count you show that you are a dedicated, committed and focused professional. And at the top, only the dedicated, committed and focused live and thrive. It is true, birds of a feather flock together. Meaning, winners work together.

I am in the friend making business. How about you? If you’re not, please get started. It is the key to your success. I have a million stories of success that come from my ability to make friends. Friends that have become collaborators, partners, and resources. When you’re likeable, people want to help you. When you help others, they appreciate and like you too. And if they can and it’s appropriate want to help you in return too. Enjoy this aspect of life and enjoy the fruits of friendship.