Kitchen & Bath Buisness November/December 2024 - 80

L A S T W ORD
PRECISION PLUS
PRACTICALITY
With a background in construction, this designer
adds value to both the client and contractor experience
ADAM GIBSON, CMKBD, CLIPP, CAPS, an architectural designer based in
Carmel, Ind., takes a proactive stance with his practice, building on success
and broadening its services.
How does your background infl uence the way you approach the design business?
As a recovering general contractor, [I know] the people who construct our
designs appreciate how we incorporate structural components that can
be built in real life rather than drawing something super cool that defi es
gravity, hoping the contractor will fi gure it out. Because of this, we strive
for outside-the-box designs unique to each project and are fi nely tuned to
excellent craftspersonship and quality materials.
What has been your biggest business challenge - and how did you resolve it?
In times of fl ux in the building industry, we focus on what we can do better
and how that manifests in our approach to marketing. In 2009 during the
Great Recession, rather than freaking out, we worked on the business rather
than in it. We developed a marketing plan to set us up for success once the
economy recovered. We are also a diversifi ed team. Not only do we provide
comprehensive architectural design services, but photography is increasingly
vital to our industry, and this is our added specialty. Architectural
photography is now a considerable portion of our business.
ABOVE With an ear for listening
and an eye for design,
Adam Gibson works to help
homeowners identify and
achieve their special spaces.
Photo credit: Adam Gibson
Architectural Photography
What's the most important career lesson you
have learned?
Th ere's always room for improvement; knowing
when to wrap up a project is key. We approach
our work with precision, but there's a thin line
between precision and perfection. While a project
may never feel fi nished, we must know when
to acknowledge that it's beautiful without additional
fi ne-tuning.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking
about entering the design business?
Select an area of interest you love and take a deep
dive. As a group of creatives, we love what we do
and feel this is the most essential criterion for
choosing a profession. Integrity and dependability
are also foundations for success. Regarding
customer service, being respectful, imaginative,
going the extra mile and overdelivering help, too.
What has design taught you about life?
Listening is understanding. To convert our client's
(guided) vision into reality, we must fi rst
understand their wishes. Our fi rm leans toward
modern and minimalist; however, more often
than not, clients favor familiarity over originality.
Design that makes them comfortable also makes
them happy. Even if they appreciate cutting-edge
design, this approach may not be the right fi t for
their lifestyle. We do our best to honor each client,
not project our wishes upon them. It's their home,
and we want them to love it. After all, they are our
best ambassadors.
KBB (ISSN 0730-2487) is published bi-monthly in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December, by Emerald X, LLC 100 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10005. Volume 71, No. 6. U.S.
Subscriptions $79.00 per year. Canadian and Mexican subscriptions $94.00 per year. All other foreign subscriptions $139.00 per year. Single copies $10.00 per issue, prepayment required. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION, ADDRESS CHANGES AND
SINGLE ISSUE REQUESTS: KBB, P.O. Box 297, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-0297. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement Number 40798037. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Emerald X, LLC, c/o P.O. Box 2601, 915 Dixie Rd., Mississauga, ON
L4T0A9 CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Call 847-559-7533, email: KBB@omeda.com. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to KBB, P.O. Box 297, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-0297.
© Copyright 2024 Emerald X, LLC

Kitchen & Bath Buisness November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Buisness November/December 2024