If your’e not wholly familiar with the popular mercantile site Amazon (and if you’re reading a blog, I doubt that is the case), shoppers are allowed to post reviews on items they’ve purchased. I was perusing the reviews of our latest book, Art of the House: Reflections on Design, and was struck by a review that said simply “Get over yourself!”. At first, I laughed, thinking this was the greatest and most succinct book review ever but then I started thinking about this – pride set in and defense mode immediately followed. I decided to research this reviewer as she had reviewed other items she’d purchased. Surely, this would discount and discredit her opinion in my mind. I was dismayed to find she’d given a glowing 5 star review to “Advion Syngenta Cockroach Gel Bait 1 Box (4 Tubes)” while we were granted only 1 lone star. How disillusioning to find our hard work and artistic offerings had been so disappointing in someones eyes when compared to roach poison. And do we truly need to get over ourselves?
This critique continued to haunt me. I think its because designers’ egos are at once epic and fragile. We omnipresently orchestrate and dominate our clients’ physical lives but, in the end, always look to our patrons for adoration and validation. This self-worth-balancing-act has seemingly existed ever since the first fateful marriage of artist and benefactor. All you have to do is watch Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II and Charlton Heston as Michelangelo go at it in the campy, but entertaining, movie “The Agony and the Ecstasy” to see this creative chess game in full CinemaScope glory.
In all this, the question remained. Was our ego truly out of control? I place great importance on the qualities of humility and gratitude and work to maintain these in both my working and personal life. As a matter of fact, these virtues have been preached in our office since its beginnings. On several occasions, we’ve been told by Builders we give Architects a bad name because we’re so easy to work with (I told you designers have a bad reputation). When a red flag arises, as this review did, it’s always good to step back and remember the reason we receive any accolades (Ms. Johnson notwithstanding) is due to the wonderful and humbling opportunities our clients offer us. We consistently receive grand invitations and always try to remember to say thank you for that fact. Self esteem comes from doing esteem able acts.
So, as the (not-so) old song goes, I had to check myself before I wrecked myself. I’ve always found self reflection healthy and balancing.
And, as a result, I can now recommend a great pest control product!
Faithfully,
Greg Tankersley for McAlpine Tankersley
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