Tough Times Demand Better Design: Our COVID-19 Response
Let’s face it: these are uncertain and difficult times for most of us. With the growing COVID-19 pandemic, the world economy is in an unprecedented state of uncertainty. While there are signs of hope (case declines in areas, the CARES Act), we are all still scrambling to comprehend this new normal. We have also seen projects postponed “until further notice”.
As people, businesses and institutions seek to slash budgets and work with limited resources, we are hearing and reading (again) how many designers have seen their work partially or completely disappear. This story seems all too familiar, regardless of the circumstances: a budget shrinks, and designers are the first on the chopping block (or, we are never factored into the budget in the first place). It can be frustrating having to repeatedly justify the value of a designer, especially when study after study proves it to be invaluable to a project, with tangible, significant and improved outcomes.
Our affiliation with ASID dictates that we adhere to a strict code of ethics, placing the health, safety and welfare of the public above all else. Navigating this crisis together, we want to say now, loud and clear: Design is not superfluous, nor decadent, nor even optional. For ideal results, every project should have a designer on the team, from the very beginning. With times tough and budgets lean, it is now even more important to hire a designer.
Designers are educated, credentialed, experienced and trained complex problem solvers. Our functional and aesthetic solutions are based in evidence, research and years of practice, tailored to each specific client and project. Leveraging our expertise to your advantage saves you time, money and the pain of self-sabotage (this is a common, recurring theme with our clients). Our job is essentially about fully understanding all stakeholders, evaluating the challenges to solve, and creating those optimal solutions in consideration of all parameters (budget, time, function, codes, laws, physics, etc.).
Our loyalty is not to a brand / company / bottom line - it is to you. While this might be your first or second project, we have extensive experience on which we build our competency, and all of that delivers you more and better value for your money. Always.
The best professionals have no ego, and approach work in a selfless, authentic manner that places the client at the center of the story. In our experience, on most jobs, the designer is your fiercest advocate. Our agenda is your agenda, and we work for you, and no one else. Examples? We can help you value engineer materials and fixtures, review contracts with you for feasibility, help field ethical dilemmas about other professionals, reengineer spaces to be more about quality and not not quantity, source specialized equipment, connect you with experts in various fields…the list continues.
As we bravely face our new uncertainty, we offer you the incredible value of our services. We provide free consultations and flat-fee packages at all levels, and welcome your inquiries. We are disrupted, but not defeated. If you can: Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives. We are all in this together, and we are here to help.