<p>Arch is not the only profession taking a hit. My guess is that all service-based businesses are taking a hit. I own a marketing and PR firm and we are all working harder and making less than three years ago. Conventional wisdom has told young peple not to go into public relations because the media industry is struggling…but guess what, businesses still need to market and communicate to their targeted customers…the only thing that is changing is the tools and the methods we use to communicate. They are more streamlined and more focused…many intially thought that our profession would be decimated but what we are all learning is that the new tools and methods require as much skill, if not more to be effective. Good communicators will always be communicators.</p>
<p>I think the same thing is happening in architecture…the need for design is not going away, however the manner in how it happens is evolving, alebeit slowly. People are looking towards new business models to save money and still get their projects done. As a result there is confusion in the marketplace which presents a good opportunity for innovative architecture entrepreneurs. Good architects will always be good architects…and there will always be work for people who can reinvent themselves as the market changes.</p>
<p>BTW - most people these days are working harder for less money…but if you can survive the downturn, chances are that you will do well once the economy bouces back a bit.</p>