Inspiring My Future Work with "Go Big or Go Home" - Lessons from Diana Kander and Tucker Trotter

Over the break, I read Go Big or Go Home by Diana Kander , speaker and New York Times bestselling author, and Tucker Trotter , CEO of Dimensional Innovation (DI). It's already reshaping how I approach studio projects from research to final presentation. DI's success on major projects, like the Las Vegas Raiders' torch, came down to Tucker and his team applying their LTF principles to push them beyond their competitors.

In the final case study of DI's pitch to win the Raiders' project, the full use of MAGIC illustrates how every element can come together to surpass competitors fully, even when you are not favored.

For me, this means going beyond just presenting ideas.

• Make it Surprising - Hook juries and audiences with an emotional connection from the start and include surprises throughout.
• Analyze the Community - Use research to connect with real people in the community, even in theoretical projects, to add depth and meaning to my work.
• Give the Presentation in the Right Order - Continue the emotional connection at the beginning and use the MAGIC Moments Map to harness the golden window and close with the big finish.
• Include 3D Objects - Include more than the basic models to further captivate the jury into the design.
• Co-Create Together - This is the most difficult of them all, but using my connections with the community and 3D objects to invite the jury to seek further development of the design as no design is ever 100% finished.

These principals highlight how they are more than just business strategies, they're a map for professionals and students alike to captivate audiences, make them feel something, and build a connection with every project.

This book has also reinforced the importance of research in my design process. It's not just about gathering data on what the community needs, but what the community wants and will engage with the most, leaving a long-lasting imprint on architectural history.

I am excited to apply these lessons to my upcoming projects this Spring, fostering stronger emotional connections with my audiences and using MAGIC to advance my presentations and designs.

If you're looking for ways to take your work to the next level, I highly recommend Go Big or Go Home. Huge thanks to Tucker Trotter and Diana Kander for sharing their wisdom!

Link to Purchase the book on Amazon