P.I.E.

We, as CREATORS (I choose not to use the word "designers" because of its overuse--everyone is a "designer" it would seem) of our own local physically tangible environment, often create with our own personal agendas in mind. That is, a we go into creating with pre-conceived notion of how it (our physically tangible environment) could be, should be and would be...call it "a style" perhaps--a word we'll get more in for a future blog...We often do this without thought of other people within that environment feel it "could be", "should be" and "would be". I mean, after all, we're the "experts"--right? Perhaps, arrogance and egotism plays a role in our decisions to seemingly ignore the end user...

I, as a creator (I promise to come up with a "not-so-religious" type word later), can't help but feel that OTHER people's P.ERCEPTION I.S E.VERYTHING. The end result of what we do is the simple fact that somebody is going to USE this physically tangible environment (buildings, neighborhoods, cities)...and for long periods of time. These creations will be used, renewed and re-used over and over throughout mine, my children's and their children's lifetime...and perhaps beyond.

I don't think there exists a truer statement than simply opening our eyes (as creators). Go visit a place (a building, a neighborhood, a city); perhaps one that your fellow colleagues dub an "architectural masterpiece" (theirs/ours perception as professionals and academicians) and see for yourself. This place has won numerous awards and recognition by your fellow peers...it may even have been published in several magazines. However, upon your visit, you notice there's absolutely no one there USING this "masterpiece". It just sits there...empty and desolate...taking up space that perhaps was once a park with playground.

It's our job to reach into these people's perceptions...talk to them; listen to them; understand them and their needs. Only then will our creations BE perceived in a positive light by those who actually USE it. There is nothing more satisfying than that in this profession...creating a physically tangible environment based on PEOPLE's perception. It might sound like a hard thing to accomplish, but it's really no more complicated than making a pancake...communication is key here...with the people--the USERS.

P.erception I.s E.verything