CannonDesign reviews

Has been difficult to see evidence of changes being made yet. They have a lot of good aspirations, but need to start showing the impact and affect.

Nepotism!! It is present at the highest level. Some principals of the firm because of their connections thrive in spite of being non-performers. All the talk of being "CannonDesigners' but there is actually very less design. No market identity, lots of time people thought that it was part of the Canon camera brand. Somehow they say they want to work in their backyard but don't have any projects nor anyone can stand their misplaced arrogance. Too high a multiplier, which makes it difficult for winning projects. Too much talk of innovation but actually don't know that they are 5 years too late for that innovation. I heard a presentation on how algorithms and grasshopper were something new to be used for designed when other firms like SOM have been using them for many years now. Also the firm doesn't have a heart, they laid off some part time architecture students cum admin assistants because these students sought their roles to be defined as intern architects so that they can further their careers as architects than as admin assistants. They laid them off because they didn't want this to be a trend with other admin assistants. And I know of another great three letter firm which took these kids and turned them into talented architects. Talk about doing good in your own backyard! The people who market the services actually have no thought leadership on the subjects or knew very little about it and needed to be coached. They talk the same talking points at 60,000 ft level. You probe them about how it is actually done, technically or physically, the people or the firm doesn't have any expertise. They think that new recruits from Harvard and Pratt will save them and will make them sound cooler. But they forget they are not in the upper echelons of design powerhouses. They think they are by putting out this advertising firm like marketing jargon but don't have any physical product to show for it. So all you design primadonnas thinking of joining this firm, consider yourself warned!! And yes you would fit right in over here if all you want to make is architectural monuments in your own glory without caring for an environment, context or people who will be using it. I wasted my precious years here, but the money was good till it lasted. I would recommend running far away from this firm before joining it.