Tim Gunn, Speaker to Designers

I will be the first to admit that one of the reasons I enjoy Project Runway so much is because of Tim Gunn. I think that I would probably watch it anyhow, but the segments involving him are generally my favorite.

I think I may have a little bit of a crush on him. He's one of the few people, in this day and age, that merits the description "dapper". He's neat, well-turned-out, well-spoken (with a lovely, precise vocabulary), and perceptive. I may not always agree 100% with his aesthetic, but even when I don't, I generally understand why he makes the comments he does. And, unlike commentators in many "reality TV" shows, he's a genuine mentor and does a fine job at it, which just makes him more interesting; people who are good at teaching are hot.

I also love Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, of course -- the show, not the book, which I do not yet have (though I plan to get a copy when budget allows).

Sometimes, when I see a designer failing to heed Tim Gunn's advice, I want to smack them. "Listen to the man! At least take what he said seriously and consider it!" I wonder, sometimes, if the fact that he tends to couch things in non-aggressive terms leads people to not feel what he's saying is important—though you'd think anyone who watched prior seasons' shows would realize he's usually got some very good points. I also wonder if a "Tim Gunn to Blunt" dictionary might be helpful.

For instance, when he starts his critique with "I'm a little concerned", it seems like what people hear is "but not really". *red strike a la Family Feud* Based on the way he uses it, however, what he means is: "You have a good idea, but your execution could use some help.", or: "You have a good idea, save for this thing I am now about to bring up." It's definitely one of the gentlest negative critiques he will use, yes, and possibly if after considering it you think your way is better, you could be right, but the important bit? Think about it!

If he says "I'm not sure how I feel about...", he isn't just making conversation, okay? He's saying "This bit here? Not so great... convince me it'll work, or change it."

Beware if he starts a sentence "I really don't think...", for now you are entering into harsher Tim Gunn-speak. It still sounds like a fairly mild negative, but if it were someone else, they'd likely say "This is just a bad idea."

Once in a while, he actually will either be speechless and furrow-browed (shh, it's a word now), or actually say something definitively negative. ("Not good.", while still gently said, is definitively negative, in case anyone was unclear on that.) At this point, the designer should take a step back, try to re-assess the project as objectively as possible (yes, I know, this is hard, but try), and listen to the specific critique... and start redesigning in their head. When the negative words are blunt, he's essentially approaching other people's pointing and laughing stage.

I rather wish I had the DVDs for the earlier seasons of PR so I could catalogue more of these. I seriously quite enjoy how he goes about critiquing. Only on rare occasions does he devolve to significantly blunt, whether because the designer is being a doofus or the design really is that bad in his eyes. One could wish the average teacher had half his poise and gentleness. I realize he's not the only good mentor in the history of mentoring, but he is a decidely rare thing these days: a true gentleman.

Project Runway's fourth season starts November 14th. Only 5 weeks to go! I can hardly wait.