Twelve prominent architects and designers have shared their professional wisdom and career guidance for emerging talent in the creative industries. The advice comes as part of Dezeen Magazine's Performance Review series, featuring insights from renowned figures including deconstructivist architect Daniel Libeskind, designer Sabine Marcelis, and architect Lina Ghotmeh, who was recently named to Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential rising stars.
The design and architecture industries present complex challenges for newcomers trying to establish successful careers. Industry leaders who have built thriving practices over decades offered both practical and philosophical guidance to help young professionals navigate these competitive fields. The advice ranges from fundamental business skills to existential wisdom about maintaining creative vision.
Established architects like Libeskind, who founded his studio in 1989, and Stirling Prize winner Níall McLaughlin, who established his practice in 1991, joined more recent success stories like Ghotmeh in sharing their perspectives. Top designers Gustaf Westman, Kelly Wearstler, and Tom Dixon also contributed insights, with Dixon notably advising young designers to "go to parties" for networking opportunities.
Several recurring themes emerged from the collective advice. Most emphasized the importance of mastering basic technical skills, building professional communities, maintaining curiosity throughout one's career, and having the courage to express authentic creative voices. Many participants encouraged experimenting with different design disciplines while stressing the critical importance of developing and maintaining "big ideas" that differentiate one's work.
Sabine Marcelis emphasized the importance of direct client relationships, advising: "Be authentic and unapologetically yourself. Work hard, be kind and prepare for when luck or an opportunity strikes. Opportunities don't just happen – you have to take an active role in creating them. Be in the room with potential clients. Go to the events you are invited to. You never know who you may meet or sit next to at a dinner."
Architect Tosin Oshinowo provided concrete business advice, stating: "The most practical advice I can give is that you need an accountant and you need a lawyer. If you don't set the right structures from day one, it will create challenges for you in the future." She also warned against entering the oversaturated residential market, recommending collaborations, competitions, and community projects as better career-building opportunities.
Tom Dixon encouraged proactive career development, saying: "Stop thinking you should wait until somebody discovers you. It's not going to happen. You make your own luck." He criticized students who spend years in art school but produce limited work, emphasizing the importance of networking and putting ideas into practice rather than waiting for perfect concepts.
Kelly Wearstler stressed the value of broad exposure and foundational skills: "See as much as you can. Whether visiting a major exhibition or setting up studio visits with artisans and makers, I encourage everyone to be curious, especially when you're just starting out. I recommend getting very good at the basics, becoming a very good listener and then taking risks."
Several advisors addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on creative professions. Oshinowo noted: "We are faced with a new age of how AI is going to change our profession. One thing is very clear: it can never replace the jobs that require souls, and we should be mindful of that." Wearstler added that being adept at leveraging AI tools to enhance creative output would distinguish future industry leaders.
Daniel Libeskind offered philosophical guidance about maintaining creative vision: "My advice would be to follow what you love and follow your dreams. Don't get sidelined by concepts that undermine your skills or the folly that doesn't let you follow what you are really good at. If you don't have big ideas, you're already irrelevant, you're already unnecessary."
Lina Ghotmeh emphasized architecture as a way of life, stating: "Architecture is a way of life. When choosing this path, one steps into a profession that shapes you as a person. It is a calling that urges you to look at the world with genuine curiosity." She advocated for collaborative approaches over competitive ones, calling for architects who can "think together, not only in competition."
Níall McLaughlin focused on technical mastery, advising: "An in-depth knowledge of construction is indispensable. If you haven't been taught that in college, teach yourself. It will open up opportunities for you, and you will be confident enough to take them. Despite what you hear in the media, there is a market out there for skilful architects who demonstrate mastery of the discipline."
The Bennett brothers, Michael and Martellus, emphasized community building and continuous learning. Michael advised: "Learn to observe. Architecture and design are really about listening to people, to materials, to the histories that live inside a space. Build community. Find mentors, collaborate with people outside your discipline." Martellus recommended: "Never employ experts in full bloom. The true value of a team lies not in hiring those who believe they have already reached their peak, but in cultivating growth, curiosity, and development within your ranks."
Carlo Ratti addressed the importance of ideas over technical execution: "Show how you think, not just what you draw. When I review portfolios, the projects that stay with me aren't always the most polished, but they are the ones that reveal new ideas forming. AI can automate representation but it cannot invent meaning on its own."
The collective advice comes at a time when architecture and design industries face numerous challenges, from difficult working conditions to ethical dilemmas. However, these industry leaders demonstrate that opportunities still exist for those willing to work strategically, maintain authentic creative voices, and adapt to changing technological and social landscapes. Their guidance offers both practical roadmaps and inspirational vision for the next generation of creative professionals entering these demanding but rewarding fields.
