Generation Y is also known as the 'Millennial Generation.' It typically refers to those born between 1980 and 1994, although it is disputed by demographers, and varies across countries. A range of between 1988 and 2008 is also used. Generation Y is primarily the offspring of Boomers, although some are the children of older gen Xers. More important than birth chronology, however, is the distinguishing attributes of our generation. A survey of 2,500 gen Yers conducted by Talentsmoothie found that respondents, “had little interest in their parents’ work-dominated lives… weren’t seduced by salary and status. Instead, the ability to ‘make a difference’, balanced by plenty of downtime, was their career dream. … despite the current climate, Generation Y hasn’t altered its values. Recession or no recession, this is a group that will ‘walk away’ if the company doesn’t match its ideals.” The blog pwcom 2.0 has also done a study on emerging gen Y professionals: "Peer pressure replaces bureaucracy; hierarchical structures are replaced by networks of councils and boards; silo-type approaches are superseded by collaboration and ‘a democracy of ideas’. Such approaches are also supported by financial incentives and by Web 2.0 technologies, enabling ‘leadership from the middle."
Do these findings accurately describe us? In my experience they do. We are about collaboration and communication.
Our general outlook on the world also affects our design heuristics. We favor plurality of interpretation over totalitarian objectivity. We approach design problems from a multitude of angles, seeking subjective meaning over pure form. The end of Modernity, symbolized by the collapse of the Berlin Wall, has brought a dramatic re-conceptualization of cultural systems. Postmodernist thought rejects booleanation, in favor of subjectivity and inter-dependence. Generation 'Y' lives in this landscape, and values the plurality of discourse over autonomous definition. The architects of this generation will not seek purity of form or perfection of detail. Rather, they will conspicuously draw from many methods, materials, and heuristics in their search for meaning. Gestalt associations will then become of the highest importance in the formation of both architects and architecture.
As Gen Yers, we are just now entering the workforce. We are eager to find substance and value in the architecture we create. Conversely, we want architecture to demonstrate our values of justice, peace, unity, and authenticity.This blog is a candid exploration of that quest.
For further information on gen Y:
pw20.com : for info on our impact in the professional world
work empowerment foundation : a list of general characteristics and values
10 Key Characteristics : by Jason Young
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