Gensler Voices: Ariadna Hernandez on Design's Greatest Strength

This Q&A is part of a series of interviews with Gensler architects, designers, and others in the firm about their career journey, and the impact that design and architecture can have on our communities and the human experience. Here, we sit down with Ariadna Hernandez, a designer in our Washington, D.C. office:

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?

Moving to the U.S. to pursuea higher education. If you can’t find the opportunities and tools you need where you are, I think it's necessary to get out of your comfort zone in order to improve.

What do you think is the power of design?

Silently improving people's lives. Design is an element that nobody pays attention to until it is gone. As designers, wecreate beautiful and functional environments that many people benefit from.

What’s life at Gensler like?

Everyday is an opportunity to meet new people, from different backgrounds and cultures. I always say, Gensler is like college, you decide how much you get out of it. If you participate in their extracurricular programs and events, you can find your pathway and achieve any goals you are searching for.

Where do you get your design inspiration from?

I believe that every experience we have in life is reflected in our designs. Therefore, my inspiration comes from everyday things and everything around me, such as going out with friends and hearing new stories, traveling and seeing new places, watching movies, admiring other designs, etc. Everything around us is design and inspiration comes from it if you learn how to look at it that way.

How has your work mindset shifted as you’ve advanced in your career?

When I started, I was focused on achieving professional success with a very individual approach. Now I have learned that it feels so much better when you can achieve that by collaborating and helping others on the way. For example, when working with a great team that supports each other, the results are reflected in a quality project and the experience is much more rewarding.