Have you ever volunteered your time for a project that unexpectedly took off? This is a story about how I designed a branch for the famous African bank, GTBank, in just 24 hours—all for free.Â
The Challenge: A Tight Deadline and a Unique OpportunityÂ
I was working for a small design firm in London when I received a call from my previous boss. The firm had been invited to submit a proposal for a new GTBank branch design, but they were hesitant to take on the project due to capacity constraints. Recognizing the potential opportunity, I volunteered to design the branch myself. The deadline? A mere 24 hours.Â
Overcoming the Odds: Design Under Pressure
With limited time, I knew I had to work fast. I used my phone to browse for inspiration online and then sketched out a design concept. Despite not having the ideal software (I used SketchUp instead of Revit), I was able to develop a basic design within a few hours. I then exported the design to 3DS Max and rendered it before sending it to my previous boss.Â
The Unexpected Outcome: Design Accepted and Branch Built
To my surprise, GTBank liked the design and requested an extension to provide feedback. I incorporated their comments and submitted the final draft within a week. I then moved on with my life, forgetting about the project.Â
Two years later, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a post from GTBank announcing the opening of a new branch. And to my astonishment, it was the branch I had designed!Â
Lessons Learned: The Value of Volunteering (with Caution)
While I didn’t get paid for my work, I gained valuable experience and the satisfaction of seeing my design come to life. My story highlights the potential benefits of volunteering your skills, but also the importance of setting clear expectations and understanding the potential risks.Â
Have you ever volunteered your time for a project that turned out to be a bigger deal than you expected? Share your story in the comments below! Also, be sure to watch the full video below for the story
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