I would have to break the process of design into two components; vision and technicality. First and foremost is vision. By vision, I mean the ability to decipher what is required in terms of function and to fulfill those requirements within a shell of beauty and proportion. Technicality is the means of reproducing the "Vision" into a form that others can interpret. In architecture this "interpretation" becomes what is known as construction documents or blueprints. This technical aspect is a skill that can be learned.

But vision.... One either has vision or does not. Well, more accurately I should say we all have a little vision, and it to can be learned, but one who is blessed with an abundance of it truly is meant to design. And, as is often the case, that which we excel at we love and that which we love we excel at. I love to design. I didn't start out in some architectural school, I was to busy designing and building. Sometimes it was cars or planes or even high powered rockets, but allways houses. I have a fancy for victorians, a passion for Beaux Art mansions and a craze for stone work. It could have been growing up with a step father who was a contractor or the forts and tunnels in the back yard, as a child, but at any rate I became hooked and the passion and vision remain.

It is often said that the luckiest people in the world are those that get to do what they enjoy for a living. I find myself even luckier because I get to interact and work with other people doing what I enjoy for a living. I could design homes only for myself, but in which house would I keep my socks?

If you look back at the comment I made above you will see I mentioned "deciphering what is required by the design". As a designer I must come to a full understanding of the why, when, where and hows of the project design. If the design is for myself I would automatically have an internal picture of what I need to accomplish defined by my personal preferences, likes and dislikes. Fine and well, but when that design is for you? Or, as is most often the case. the design must take into account the hopes and dreams and physical requirements of two people, a husband and wife,or an entire family then the "vision" aspect even compounds into the proccess of capturing your visions and my vision and bringing them together. If you and I are not happy in the end the design has failed.

I hope to share the vision with you.. Jay Jarvie