Five Lessons in Memory of Frank Gehry: Creative Courage for Every Designer
Blog post by Brandon A. Gibbs, AIA, Iamthestudio Founder
The design world is reflecting today on the loss of one of our greatest creative forces: Frank Gehry. His passing reminds many of us not only of the buildings he left behind, but of the mindset, courage, and persistence that shaped his extraordinary career.
I’ve been fortunate to visit several of Gehry’s works—from London to Bilbao—and even as a young architecture student walking through museums studying his sketches, models, and films, I remember feeling something shift. His projects didn’t simply look different; they thought differently. They challenged you to expand the definition of design itself.
In honoring his life, I wanted to share five lessons from Gehry’s legacy that continue to shape how I practice, teach, and encourage the next generation of designers.
2008 Photography @ Guggenheim Bilbao
1. Creativity Isn’t an Accident — It’s a Discipline
Gehry wasn’t just a “wild form” architect. He built systems—physical models, digital workflows, and collaborative teams—that allowed his creativity to become real.
Whether you’re in SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit, creativity paired with method becomes powerful. It’s a reminder that structure enables freedom.
2. Technology Is a Tool for Imagination, Not Imitation
Long before digital modeling became the standard, Gehry and his team pioneered workflows that helped architects understand and construct complex form.
CATIA, fabrication modeling, parametrics before “parametrics” had a name—Gehry treated technology as a partner, not a shortcut.
For today’s designers experimenting with AI, computational tools, and visualization, Gehry gives us permission to innovate boldly.
3. Endurance Matters More Than Early Success
Many architects feel pressure to “make their mark” early. Gehry’s career reminds us that great work often comes after long seasons of friction, patience, and persistent belief.
He didn’t stop when projects were misunderstood or criticized. He continued refining his craft. He kept building. He kept learning.
This is a lesson for every young designer who feels overwhelmed or unsure: keep going. Your voice takes time to form.
4. Generosity Elevates the Entire Profession
Beyond his iconic structures, Gehry poured into people: young architects, students, collaborators, artists, and innovators.
From university lectures to books to even teaching on Masterclass, he made his process visible so others could grow.
Great designers don’t protect knowledge—they multiply it.
That spirit is what we strive for at Iamthestudio: to share skills, tools, and mindsets that help designers thrive.
5. Your Creative Spark Is Worth Protecting
Perhaps the lesson that resonates most today is simple:
Stay inspired. Stay curious. Protect your creative flame.
No matter what scale of project you’re working on—buildings, diagrams, digital models, fashion, artwork—your ideas have value. Gehry’s work reminds us that creativity is not frivolous; it’s transformative.
His legacy challenges us to honor the gift of design by continuing to push boundaries, question norms, and bring something meaningful into the world.
In Closing
Frank Gehry leaves us more than a catalog of groundbreaking projects—he leaves us a blueprint for creative courage.
May his life continue to inspire architects, designers, and students everywhere to keep imagining, keep making, and keep believing in the worth of their work.
Rest in peace to a legend… and thank you for reminding us what’s possible.
If this reflection resonated with you, feel free to share it with a fellow designer who might need the reminder today.