The economic downturn affected a great deal of businesses and companies, including professionals in the design industry. However, the demand for good designers has not changed, and many companies are looking for architects and engineers outside of their business, and a new application has made it easier, according to the Los Angeles Independent.
Industry Speaks is a web-based application that allows firms to search and find architects and other designers in their area.
“For years, only large, multi-office firms have been able to have access to the experienced business industry professionals who speak the Industry [architecture, engineering and construction] language,” Karen Compton, designer of Industry Speaks told the news outlet. “Industry Speaks attempts to close the competitive gap by bridging business management professionals [consultants] with companies [subscribers] that have short- or long- term business management issues such as human resources, legal, public relations, information technology, finance/administration and marketing.”
Individuals who are interested in entering the architecture field have a chance of obtaining a job once they graduate from their design programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for professionals in this field is expected to increase by 16 percent between 2008 and 2018.