You Have Reached Your Destination...?

Try not to get lost in this piece of design.

Not all words in the English language can serve as both a verb and a lifestyle. That’s where design comes in. Not only can you do design. You can also live it.

I’m sure all of us have experienced design at some point, whether it’s looking at art hanging in a gallery or wearing the latest fashion to hit the runway. But while brainstorming for this blog, I was racking my brain to figure out how even poor college students such as myself are able to live in all that is the wonders of design. But that’s just it. How DO the average Joe Schmos (those who can’t afford the time or money to go to art galleries or fashion shows) experience design in everyday life? And that’s when it hit me.

I have been an official college student for only two weeks and already I have heard stories, myths and legends about our campus’ social sciences and humanities buildings. Not only is the building a piece of fascinating architecture, but it is also a maze…literally.

Designed by award-winning architect Antoine Predock, the building resembles those built into the landscaping of New Mexico, due to Predock drawing inspiration from his Albuquerque roots. The building has not only gained attention for its prison-like exterior (it was rumored that the campus did not have the money to hire a “real” architect and instead hired someone who designed prisons), but also for its complexity. Not only are students known to get lost on their way to class, but they are also known to play games of hide-and-seek to pass the time. And with its metallic appearance, it has come to be referred to as the “Deathstar.”

With so many rumors and stories revolving around the history of one building, I came to realize that design is inevitable. We are all destined to experience it, some more often than others. But perhaps it is through this realization that we learn to appreciate design, even if we are forced to experience it when we least expect it. So whether you’re in the comfort of your own home or in the confusing hallways of our social sciences and humanities building, design is experienced everywhere—whether it was meant to be our final destination or simply a detour from everyday life.