The American Institute of Architects is putting social media in a leading role for National Architecture Week this year. Consider this morning's announcement - posted on Facebook, no less - from Sybil Walker Barnes, the AIA's director of social media:
"We're getting ready for National Architecture Week. Won't you join us?
"This year National Architecture Week will be part of our Architecture Week 2010 initiative, what we hope will be a yearlong online conversation about design. We're kicking off this venture Sunday, April 11, through Saturday, April 17, on our Architecture Week 2010 fan page: http://www.facebook.com/l/b63e9;bit.ly/d8SWHC. Become a fan!
"With the theme 'Design Matters,' the week will feature a series of online conversations on sustainability/environment, design, economy, education, housing, transportation and health care—all designed to illustrate how design shapes everyone’s lives.
"Architecture Week 2010 will be the hub for the week's activities but we'll also include a chat on Twitter on Wednesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. EST. See http://www.facebook.com/l/b63e9;www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB082554.
"So get ready to connect, learn, and have fun. Hope to 'see' you during National Architecture Week."
What do you think of this approach? Will you become a fan of the AIA on Facebook? Will you join in the Twitter chat? How do you feel about the advancement of social media into the AEC industry?
I think at the end of the day we all have a naïve view of how the world views us in the design industry. We all love to talk about our business and how important it is, and how cool the words are we use to describe it. We are like a bunch of kids in our clubhouse with secret code words like "vernacular" and "organic" and "bending moment". That social media will somehow connect the world with what we are doing is kind of funny in a way. We are using the cool guy's methods to make an essentially nerdy profession look appealing. The fact is the mainstream of society in their daily life have never been particularly interested in design, and most likely never will. My own Mom in the 15 years she was alive while I was working never did figure out exactly what I did. It is ok for the people to not be totally engrossed in what we do. The day we are doing this for applause is the day we have lost sight of what matters. Social media won't change that, but if nothing else it can be a very effective internal tool within the industry to communicate and connect. Heck, I'm responding to a blog for crying out load.... LOL
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