Problem solving is Kenneth Bess’s priority. As owner of Bess Design, he always strives for the excellence that can be achieved by the imaginative application of resources and creative energy. We chatted with Kenneth about his career path, where he finds inspiration, and any advice he might have for the next generation of graphic artists.

How can we measure the impact of design? What is the economic value proposition of the work that we do? Tom Jacobs of Krueck Sexton Partners and Marjanne Pearson of Talentstar joined Michelle Wempe for her Contemporary Design Seminar at Kansas State University (Part II) asking, “What will the design professions look like in 2030 and beyond?”

Over the past year, we have seen so many terrific, highly accomplished and experienced people who found themselves looking for new jobs. During the The Great Recession, we set up a new section called “Help Desk.” This is the beginning of a new series of posts called When your new job is to find your next job.

What will the design professions look like in 2030 and beyond? Tom Jacobs of Krueck Sexton Partners and Marjanne Pearson of Talentstar joined Michelle Wempe for her Contemporary Design Seminar at Kansas State University.

We happily spent Women’s History Month celebrating our colleagues who have greatly contributed to the A/E/C industry. They are pioneers — architects, engineers, designers, marketers, managers, and more — leaders and change-makers, as well as activists, mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives.

“Planning for the future, especially for businesses, is crucial. Without a road map to help navigate the long-term, businesses risk being left in the dust of a rapidly evolving world.” — Continuum Innovation

During #womenshistorymonth, I’ve been telling stories about women in leadership within the A+D realm. Initially, I focused on the design professions, and then I profiled one of my long-term friends and business partners, Nancy Egan of New Voodou. Today, I’m shining my #spotlight on Gail Gabriel, who has been both a close friend and business partner for more than 50 years.

As a coda to our recent stories about Weld Coxe and SMPS, let us all celebrate the tremendous evolution that has occurred within our professional over the past four decades. In a 1973 survey of more than half of ENR’s Top 200 firms, only six companies reported having full-time marketers on staff. Today, SMPS is the network for more than 7,000 marketing and business development professionals representing 3,250 firms in the architecture, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting business throughout the USA and Canada.

In celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth — What makes an exceptional pair, especially in business? We’ve been working on this story for more than 30 years.

As part of #WomensHistoryMonth, I’m shining a spotlight on a constellation of women in leadership roles in architecture and design. Kudos to Alan Chimacoff and his photograph, Light Game 7.