With 2026 right around the corner, we asked nine designers—Harshita Agarwal, Christian Bense, Christopher Brandon, Rachel Cannon, Bradley Hüsemann-Odom, Aymee Kuhlman, Sam McArdle, Jonathan Mount and Jessica Risko Smith—how they quantify and qualify a booming year.
Spreading Light
“A healthy, happy team and clients! When you work so closely with people, you see that everyone’s load personally and professionally can be very layered and heavy at times. We aren’t curing cancer in our line of work, but we believe that what we do makes an impact and spreads light. We are energized and excited to keep serving our clients in the new year.” —Aymee Kuhlman, Light and Dwell, Corvallis, Oregon
Nurtured Relationships
“For us, success isn’t only tied to project completions or revenue—it’s about the quality of the relationships we build and the integrity of the work we put into the world. We measure a successful year by how connected our clients feel, how well our team collaborates, and whether the spaces we design continue to spark a sense of wonder long after install day. If we end the year with clients who trust us more deeply, a team that feels proud of what we’ve created together, and work that still moves us when we revisit it, then we’ve had a very good year.” —Bradley Hüsemann-Odom, Studio Dixon Rye, Atlanta
Three-Pointer
“Measuring a successful year at Brandon Architects truly starts with one question: Did we do our best to fulfill our mission? While strong revenue is essential for stability, we know the real benchmark is the quality of the work and the strength of our partnerships. We look for success in three key areas. First, the project impact. Did we do our best to create what we call an architecturally transcendent home or a modern sanctuary—something that is as emotionally resonant as it is functionally flawless? Second, client alignment. Success is measured by the depth of the client relationship. We want to partner with those who are willing to go deep and view the project as something more than a structure. If the final space profoundly reflects their values, we’ve done our job. Finally, team health. A truly successful year is one where we are still having fun! We honor our collaborators and ensure our success is a constellation of effort, not just a bright star. That internal joy and stability ultimately allow us to take the lead and innovate for our clients.” —Christopher Brandon, Brandon Architects, Costa Mesa, California
Goal Setting
“Each year, I work with my business coach to plan the next year’s goals and metrics. We check in midyear, and by the end of the year, we have a pretty solid idea of how the year went: if we met our goals and, of course, what pivots we made and course corrections were required along the way.” —Jessica Risko Smith, JRS ID, Santa Barbara
Tick All the Boxes
“We measure a successful year by looking at outcomes, first and foremost, for our clients: Did we deliver what we promised? Did the process feel clear, well managed and considered from start to finish? And, most importantly, would they recommend us? Repeat commissions and referrals are the clearest indicators that we’re doing the right things. The second measure is our team and the standards we hold ourselves to. Growth only matters if quality is maintained or, ideally, improved. We look closely at delivery performance, program management, snagging and handover quality, alongside team retention, capacity and energy. A good year is one where the studio feels supported, proud of the work produced and motivated to keep developing its skills. Finally, we look at the fundamentals. Profitability, cash flow and the quality of our pipeline matter far more than raw turnover. We also pay attention to how our systems are evolving, from clearer information flow to stronger procurement control. If we end the year having delivered excellent work with a motivated team, better processes and a clear view of what comes next, then we can be confident the business is heading in the right direction.” —Jonathan Mount and Sam McArdle, Project London, Dubai and London
Inner and Outer Strength
“As a designer and as a studio, every year starts with looking back at the projects we have delivered, the challenges we have faced and the moments that made our work meaningful. The real measure of our efforts is in the way our spaces affect daily life, when a home feels renewed and reimagined yet still stays true to the client’s original vision. Seeing the subtle smiles, the quiet ease, or the energy in a space as people live in it—those moments are what make our work resonate. Equally important is our internal journey. We reflect on our creative growth and the growth of our team, how ideas have evolved, how skills have strengthened and where we have improved from the year before. By nurturing our people as much as our projects, we build a studio that grows stronger together, day by day. Our work also goes beyond individual projects. It becomes part of a larger conversation about how people live, connect and experience their spaces, shaping environments that feel inspiring and enduring, while strengthening the community we build around our work. For us, success is not about numbers or awards, but about this ongoing journey of growth, impact and meaningful connections.” —Harshita Agarwal, Harshita Agarwal Interiors, Singapore
End on a High Note
“A good-looking pipeline is generally how one gauges success: knowing that the months ahead are taken care of; a successful year being measured by the year to come. However, as an interior design studio where successive years may look the same in terms of clients or the projects being worked on, I measure success [by] how we finish off the year. Is the Christmas break an inconvenience? Do clients feel like decisions are up in the air? Are we dreading the start of a new year? So much of what we do involves people—managing expectations, growing relationships and providing more than just a service. So, a successful year to me is one that ends well, with happy clients and a team who is enthusiastic to return. When it comes to future projections, we obviously want to ensure that we’re ending the year off in a better position than we started, knowing we have new opportunities on the horizon. Being stagnant year after year, regardless if the work is still coming in, is not success. For me, it’s less about a pipeline of projects, but the opportunity to grow and expand on what we do and what we offer, and knowing we are going to be raising the bar as a studio.” —Christian Bense, Christian Bense Limited, London
In Perspective
“I measure a year’s success not by how much money we’ve made, but by how much peace I have about my life: Am I fulfilled? Do I have strong relationships with the people closest to me? Am I content with what I have? At the end of the day, our careers should be a small part of our much bigger lives. They shouldn’t be our entire lives.” —Rachel Cannon, Rachel Cannon Limited, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
