What type of designer do I want to become?

1.      My journey

I’m a UC student studying diploma of design. Instead of naturally choosing the subject on my own, I choose it by accident and for multiple reasons. After finishing high school and attending annually college entrance examination, I came to Australia.  

I have a good auntie, who helped me applied for university of Canberra and helped me arrange my apartment, upon I arrived Australia. Considering my future, she suggested me to study diploma of design.

At first, due to lacking of understanding in design, I found it boring. And with the misunderstanding in my mind that design is just create something to meet people’s needs, I hoped I wouldn’t learn it further. I started to doubt my decision of choosing the major.

However, as paying attention to learning some design theories and techniques like what designers really do and how to draw a plan, section or elevation using AutoCAD, how to make my work more detailed using Photoshop, illustrator and how to add text using Indesign. I found it interesting and wonderful to transfer some lines and materials and combine them together to generate some creatures. Now, in my understanding, design is using simple lines to make interesting things.    

Therefore, my dream is to become an architecture someday and design functional and affordable houses for people to live, as there are more and more people in the world and houses is becoming more and more expensive. It would be great when more people could afford and live in a house that makes them wake up happily and stay in comfortably. This can be achieved by using cheap materials and at the same time, letting the house have necessary elements and structures and live harmony with the nature. Among cheap materials, recycled materials are the best choice to make the house not only affordable but also environmental friendly.   

To achieve this dream, my exploration journey would be colourful and challengeable. Along the way, I would know more and study deeper about design and architecture, and eventually be able to create some amazing houses. I would start from drawing basic plans, sections and elevations of houses, getting to know the structures and arrangements and layouts. When moving further, I will learn how to create 3D drawings and have a better understanding of building houses. I may sometimes feel stuck or lost, but I believe I will get it all sorted out with patience and hardworking, and as I learnt more skills, I will be more professional and get closer to my dream.          

2.      Case study of role models

My dream job of becoming an architect was inspired by one of my favorited architect Lin Huiyin. According to Stephan Raab, a transition to an urban lifestyle is more than simply changing residence, but a mental shift of a society, which is transforming into modernity. Building upon the recognition of architecture, this contribution introduces the trajectory of Lin Huiyin (林徽因),who was the first female Chinese architect. As a saying goes, “When you come to America, everyone knows of Frank Lloyd Wright. When you go to China, everyone knows of Lin and [her husband] Liang [Sicheng],” (Genie Birch, 2024) This woman was not only China’s first female architect, but also a woman with brilliant mind, courage and strong determination. Because of her, many heritages have been restored perfectly and people got to know the importance of protecting ancient Chinese architecture. Having a good knowledge of architecture, she developed her own way of showing beauty in buildings, which made her designed works both functional and have a good appearance. Her passion for design and architecture and strong sense of responsibility really moved me. Her story has encouraged me to approach design not only because of wanting to know more knowledge but also about being responsible for your work and bring meanings to the society. According to the Australian Institute of Architects Code of Conduct (n.d.), “The Code applies to all activities by its members in which architecture is a component. It is intended to promote committed and responsible performance in architecture, to ensure that the profession will acknowledge and meet the responsibility vested in it by the public.” This was reflected on Lin Huiyin’s contribution path. Her story told me how much potential a person has if she has a strong will to do something he or she really like.   

3.      Self-reflection

As Dewey (1933) says, “We do not learn from experience – we learn from reflecting on experience”, always reflecting and learn from past experience is very important.

l  Personal qualities

I consider myself as a delicate, patient and imaginative person. I believe these qualities are important for a good architect.

Being delicate can help me always aware of mistakes and think more and think thoughtfully. This is of great benefit to make sure my work progress quickly. Imagination is a power that allows me to be creative and create buildings both functional and inspiring. Patience will be a great help to insisting on my project and prevent me from giving up in the middle of process. These traits will be strengthened through my journey as I learning more knowledge while reflecting on my mistakes all the time.

l  Improvement space

While having those qualities is helpful, I’m aware that there are still some skills I need to improve in order to become a successful architect. I will be working on four of those skills. They are: planning ahead, software skills, confidence and personal skills.

I am not good at planning ahead. Sometimes I like to delay doing my assignment until the last minute. I am aware that this will bring many troubles. For example, I can’t understand deeply of the assignment and may forget some important details because of rushing to finish it. As a result, I can’t present my ideas and insights successfully and can’t deliver the work as expected.

Software skills are essential in today’s quick-developed environment. Having a good master of design and drawing software, 3D modelling tools help me be efficient in transforming ideas into a clear and accurate vision. If I have mastered the skills, I would be able to generate anything I want accurately. Therefore, make my work more likely to be liked by audiences.

By paying more attention in class and practice more often after class, I will be able to acknowledge the needed skills in design area.   

Confidence is of great importance to become a good architect. Architecture works needed to be presented to audiences, colleagues and stakeholders. Being confident in front of other people can help me deliver my ideas and thoughts fluently and be able to listen to different ideas.  

Lastly, personal skills, which includes communication, teamwork and so on, are important when cooperating with team members and social groups. I can gain communication experience through talking to more people. And for teamwork, I will learn to listen to others’ opinions and help others after at on my own duty.  

4.      SMART goals for the next three years

We set goals not just to finish. It gives life more purpose, and makes it more exciting and worthwhile. Without goals, we wander through life step by plodding step, without direction or enthusiasm. (Belanger, J. 1993)

SMART goals for next three years

l  Goal 1

Specific - I will pass all of my units at the end of each Semester

Measurable – The measurement for success will be an overall pass grade for each unit

Attainable – To achieve this goal, I will change my study environment to make sure I can stay focused and be efficient, I need to always go to the library as I learn better when others study with me.

Relevant – If I pass all my units, I will go into the second year of my Bachelor of building and construction management.

Time based – for the next three years I will work on this task

l  Goal 2

Specific – graduate successfully from Bachelor of building and construction management   

Measurable – The measurement for success will be an overall pass grade for each unit

Attainable – to achieve this goal, I will learn deeper and always try to be creative and learn to review before each class and be able to use the knowledge wisely according to the requirements of each units. Also, always follow steps of the teacher and make the most time of the classes

Relevant – if I could graduate from Bachelor of Building and Construction management, It will be more likely for me to find a relevant and good-paid job.

Time based – continue working on it and overcome any difficulties for the next three years.

Reference list:

1.      Belanger, J. (1993). The importance of setting goals. Countryside & Small Stock Journal, 77(1), 75.

2.      Killian, J. N., Henninger, J. C., & Williams, B. A. (2022). It’s about time: An examination of the importance of timing on positivity of preservice music educators’ teaching reflections. International Journal of Music Education, 41(1), 97-110. https://doi-org.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/10.1177/02557614221090582 (Original work published 2023)

3.      Raab, S. (2025). Rebuilding Chinese Society Through Architecture - The Story of Lin Huiyin. [online] Europeanguanxi.com. Available at: https://www.europeanguanxi.com/post/rebuilding-chinese-society-through-architecture-the-story-of-lin-huiyin.

4.     Australian Institute of Architects (n.d.). Code of Conduct. Retrieved from Australian Institute of Architects website. 

5.      Sheryl Third, R., & Ece. C, B. A. (2022). The Beginning of Theories & Models of Reflective Practice – John Dewey. Ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub, 3.2(3.2). https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/reflectivepracticeinearlyyears/chapter/3-2-beginning-theories/