The telltale signs of emerging design talent

When you’re evaluating emerging design talent, you’re seeking to identify potential more than experience. Assessing talent isn’t the same as assessing experience.

And while experience is important, it’s not everything. Seeking passion, vision and creativity underpinned with logic is the way to go.

In architecture and the built environment there is a long education process so inevitably the level of education will be high. So yes, you want someone who’s got the certificates and some previous experience but if they’re going to be special, it takes more than that.

Here are my five telltale signs that an emerging designer has the potential to be brilliant.

1. An understanding of the material world and a vision for it

Do they have vision of a place that extends beyond what exists and look to create a new positive environment? If they do, are they able to communicate this? A special designer must be passionate and considered when making three-dimensional decisions to deliver their vision.

2. Conceptual Logic

Knowing not just how, but why. An all rounder will have the ability to gather and interpret a broad range of information and fuse them to find new possibilities.

3. Insight

Top talent is eternally curious, building knowledge and interests project by project. However it is their insight on how to approach a project that can often be a real sign of talent. Where they offer an approach or design opportunity that logically we all thought we should know, but just hadn’t seen.

4. Creativity and feedback

The first solution is not always the best and taking feedback and dealing with weak points shows imagination and creativity. Not getting stuck in a rut but seeking out candid feedback to reflect and improve. Not afraid to come up with new ideas and push the boundaries, a design talent will be confident in their insights and not afraid to take risks.

5.Individuality

If a designer is truly passionate about design they will constantly seek out better and new approaches. Using quality space and materials, over time they will develop and spell out their own three-dimensional language and approach. This is individual and unique to them.

It is this individuality that is so precious in design and it is this that should be cherished and supported. Ultimately it delivers clients with options and approaches that fulfil their brief and offer them something unique.

Khaa is a transformative project design business that works with clients to achieve the best possible design outcome for complex, high profile projects.