Mile High Club: Why Travel is Essential

*Ding*

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 1012 from Seattle to San Francisco. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes' time..." And whatever else the announcement may say.

To some, hearing the captain or the chief flight attendant perform the pre-flight announcement is exciting. That isn't necessarily the case for me, or at least it wasn't. Flying was and still is somewhat terrifying for me. My anxiety surrounding flying did not begin improving until I did a deep dive into the workings of planes, turbulence, and had continuous exposure. At some point in time, I was going to need to figure out a way to make my anxieties around flying my best friend because traveling is a requirement as an interior designer and architect.

Ever since my first class (Introduction to Interior Design), my professor let us know in order to be the best, travel is essential. His words always stuck with me over time and became louder every time I purchased a plane ticket. Honestly, the impact of travel didn't hit my soul until I was face to face with a building or space that I studied. There's only so much you can get from a picture. In order to truly understand the design, we have to experience it in person!

The reason why travel is essential for architects and designers comes down to this- the energy of a space and the energy of those who occupy the space or the surrounding spaces cannot be felt through an image. There is no image that will get all of the details of a design in a single shot. There are so many nuances and minute details which can only be seen/experienced in person. Culture can only truly be experienced in person. Experiencing another creative's creation in its entirety sparks inspiration. Our design work and worldview expand once we have our own experiences and perceptions, not living through the lens of someone else's experience and viewing their photographs of it.

If you want to be the best interior designer or architect OR both, travel is essential and non-negotiable.

Safe travels!

Are you an interior design or architecture student? Are you a design professional? Have something to add? Let's connect!