Archability

Author: Archability

As you may have noticed, things have been rather quiet here at Archability. The past several weeks have been devoted to rolling out our new look and some new features, but most importantly, we’ve been gearing up for our public launch, which we’re please to announce was last week. Archability was invited to join a pool of 70 companies – with the passion, fortitude and insanity of launching a startup – to launch at the DEMO Sping 2012 Conference, in Santa Clara, California.  This bi-annual event, held at the Hyatt Regency – Silicon Valley,  gives startups the opportunity to launch their products in front of an audience of innovators, influencers, [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

For every design problem there are multiple factors that will determine the success of the project. One aspect that is often overlooked is the presentation of the initial design solution. While we have focused on the importance of the client, their needs and how they interact with a designer, it is equally important to address the designer directly. For this month’s post, the focus will be on presentation to a client to ensure that a client is neither underwhelmed or overwhelmed. As designers, we are in tune with the intricacies of a project. Our minds are trained to both pick out details and contemplate the bigger picture. It is often [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

When embarking on a new design project, an important question that will inevitably come up is, “What’s your style?”. While describing a fashion trend such as ‘punk’ or a general life attitude like ‘laid back’ can be done easily with buzz words and catch phrases, such terminology within architecture can have a profound impact on the project at hand. Terminology within architecture implies specific detailing, material choices and an overall look and feel. It is important to recognize the various styles of architecture and determine what best suits your tastes when approaching a design professional with a new project. The challenge is understanding which styles are most appealing, why they [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

Many posts to this point have dealt heavily with the importance of choosing the right design professional, understanding what designers and architects add to a job, and adding value to a project. This month we take a closer look at one of the more practical concerns many jobs face: selecting a product. While many clients may feel this is an easy task of selecting what looks best or fits the budget, there are a few more points to be considered when making a choice. A design professional will be well versed in working with product suppliers and can easily catch mistakes and avoid pitfalls. Below is a candid example of [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

Before you engage an architect or designer for a new project, think about what you expect to get out hiring a design professional. Beyond understanding how to choose the right design professional, there needs to be clarity in what an architect or designer does. While it is easy to simplify their job into buzz words like ‘plans’ or ‘construction drawings’, design professionals are unique in that they blend art and science together to create a finished product. One of the biggest misconceptions and points of contention within a project is whether architects provide products or services. By understanding the process a designer goes through, you’ll have a better understanding of [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

A concept that is both prevalent and relevant, especially due to the current economic conditions, is the idea of value. The concept of value is applicable to how we spend our money, and the perceived worth of what we receive in return. It is especially important when it comes time to decide on whether to pursue a design project. Design is very subjective, so it makes it quite difficult to determine the value of a design project. Even if a project is deemed necessary and makes good economic sense, how does one make a value judgement concerning the most detailed decisions? Something as (seemingly) insignificant as choosing between a fluorescent [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

For many, the merits of hiring a design professional for a project are obvious. For some, however, the value added by a design professional is not readily apparent. To understand how a design professional adds value to a project, one must first learn how design is evaluated. If all design is created equal, then it doesn’t make sense to hire a designer with extensive training and expertise. However, if it is established that some designs are better than others, then a value proposition can be made. Let’s look at how designs are evaluated to understand why hiring a qualified design professional adds value to a project. Design is a process. [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

Most people who visit the Archability site and read the blog have at least one design project they would like to implement either now or in the future. The type of project may include a newly landscaped backyard with defined outdoor rooms. For some, it might be a kitchen or bathroom remodel project that includes simple updates or complete gutting. Others may have the desire to add another room or floor to an existing house. Still others may have dreams of designing and building a custom home on a new piece of property. Whatever the design project may include, each one has a unique set of challenges and obstacles that [...]

Author: Brinn Miracle

Choosing a design professional for your project can be a daunting task. There are plenty of articles which detail the practical steps of choosing a designer: review their portfolio, interview them, and ask for references to verify their skills. These are all great places to start, but these practical steps alone can’t help you decide between multiple well qualified prospects. By using the criteria below, you can evaluate each designer more thoroughly and choose the best match for your job. Knowledge is essential to every job. Knowing the practical steps to carry a project from inception to completion is the key to success. To distinguish between several design professionals, first [...]

Author: Archability

Once your project is posted, it will get exposure.  But that exposure will not necessarily translate into interest from providers.  Getting the best results for your architectural or design projects, and generating optimum interest from providers is often determined by how best you describe your project.  The best projects are borne from briefs that are open enough to inspire ideas, while being specific enough to feel workable. Whether you are a designer or a client, an effective project brief is the single most critical factor in ensuring a successful collaboration .  A project brief is a document focused on the desired results of project.  It should primarily focus on the [...]