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30UNDER30 shortlist judge Hamish Ginn on subverting the status quo

30UNDER30 shortlist judge Hamish Ginn on subverting the status quo

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Now in its third year, Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 program has established itself as the leading mentorship and career development program in the architecture and design industry. The unique program brings together game changers, industry leaders, practice founders, product manufacturers, suppliers and sponsors to celebrate and empower the young interior and product designers of the future.

SJB senior associate and people and culture specialist Hamish Ginn is a fierce proponent of early-career designers deviating from the norm in a bid to devise new remedies to complex design challenges.

He is thrilled to be involved in Australian Design Review’s (ADR) 30UNDER30 program, as he maintains that early-career evolution, instigated by developing peer networks and realising one’s potential, is imperative. The senior associate’s early career was marked by forging relationships with many creatives in a new city, sharing difficulties, and rejoicing in wins with an inspiring cohort of people. 

Ginn is encouraged by the successive generation’s entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to experiment with new technologies. He says this aptitude for acquiring new knowledge systems and pushing boundaries renders upcoming designers an “exhilarating and formidable force”.

ADR recently sat down with Hamish to discuss his enthusiasm towards playing a key role in the “incredible springboard” that is the 30UNDER30 program.

Australian Design Review: What motivated you to become involved with Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 program as a shortlist judge?

Hamish Ginn: SJB has had great involvement with 30UNDER30 over recent years with a few of our under-30s participating in events. I’m excited by the incredible springboard that 30UNDER30  provides for young talent and I feel very privileged to be involved in it.

SJB Sydney studio.
Was there anything like 30UNDER30 when you were just starting out in your field?

When I started out as a graduate architect in 1998, the opportunities to jump-start your career were limited to a handful of travelling scholarships. I was lucky enough to get one of these and it was a huge eye-opener for me to better understand my potential as a young design practitioner. 30UNDER30 is a great way for young designers to take the next step and explore their potential.

Were there any other early-career opportunities that you recall as a turning point for you?

I moved to Sydney from Brisbane after graduating and developed a new network from scratch. The biggest turning point for me was discovering the creative gatherings and events such as exhibitions, performances, parties and festivals that were happening across Sydney in the 2000s. This gave me  the network of like-minded peers that I needed to build my base as an early-career architect.

SJB Sydney studio.
How important is it for designers to build a community of industry peers and mentors?

Forming strong connections with a network of aligned peers such as through a program  like 30UNDER30 is really important, at the very least to share challenges and celebrate wins. The peers you share early-career evolution with stay with you for life. They come and go and tend to reappear at the most surprisingly fortunate moments!

As SJB’s senior associate in people and culture, what do you notice about young designers that makes them different from generations before?

Our team of young designers seem very clear-headed and focused on what they want for themselves. They are driven by an entrepreneurial spirit that leverages technology and communication networks to shape and go after what they want to do. These qualities make them a formidable and exhilarating force for the future.

How do you handle situations where the candidate’s achievements and contributions are not solely quantifiable? Are there any specific challenges you face when evaluating the value of softer skills or cultural contributions to the field? 

Creatives are a fascinatingly rich mix of different skill sets and attributes. It is challenging to assess softer skills through online submissions. The successful candidates will be selected based on the personality and passion that comes through in their work. 

It is crucial that candidates present themselves authentically in their submissions. Clear and logical communication of thoughts and ideas is particularly important to showcase in this submission.

SJB Sydney studio.
What will you be looking for when you are judging the entries into this stream? 

The powerful impact of a new generation is its willingness to challenge the traditional way of doing things and serve up fresh insight to solving problems.

I’ll be interested in submissions that test the status quo and push boundaries to forge original solutions for the future. 

Photography supplied.

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside gold partners InterfaceMiele and Tongue & Groove. The program is supported by practice partners Arent&PykeBVNBillard Leece PartnershipCera Stribley, COX ArchitectureGroupGSAHassellHDRRichards StanisichRothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi.

Check out the program here! 

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