As much as I love this show and understand tha the producers need to be sure there is solid talent on the show, I was disappointed to see the designers for season 7 were all so "polished" (well, except for Stanley -and I actually loved him!).
Give me a competition with some grit, some raw, unpolished talent. A season that focuses on helping the self-taught, or the newbie, or that someone who is ready to take a risk just because they think they've got what it takes.
It would be so exciting to watch a show that includes a cast of "regular folks" and watch them grow as a designer... watch them evolve into a star!
Better yet - how about a competition of the "Pros" vs. the "Self-taughts"? Oooo, now that sounds like a season full of suspense, drama, and loads of inspiration!!!
I think that Kim Myles, season 2 winner, was a hair stylist. Your idea would be good for a different show, not Design Star. When I watch Design Star I want to see good design, not someone learning as they go.
My reaction at the beginning of the season was the opposite: I felt that rather than polished, half the field looked like they had been selected at random on the street. I'd like to see the VERY BEST applicants for the show, and really see a high level of work at every turn. So I'm with CorvetteLady on this one. One thing all viewers must keep in mind is that this type of competition shows who does good work against the clock, in what are not real-life circumstances. It's going to favor those who can make quick decisions, and naturally, favor those who come up with telegenic designs - and what's good in your living room isn't necessarily whats good on TV. It's entertainment.
The change I'd like to see is less use of the word "GREAT" - by judges AND designers. Greatness is achieved over a career, not over a few weeks of a competition.
