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Jordan99
Joined: 20 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject: M.Arch with no background, please help! |
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Hello, I am a recent graduate of a semi-prestigious university with a 3.3 GPA in public relations and advertising. At school I was interested more in playing football more than going to school. Never at any point did I really think I would have to go into the real world and experience a life of job searching in a field I wasn't even sure I wanted to be in. I always thought, well I'll probably go to law school or figure it out then. it was plain out immature.
Well I am now sitting with a pretty hefty student debt ($70,000) since I only got so much financial aid through grants and scholarships. The reason I am here is because I want to become an architect. For the last few months I have thought about it endlessly, I practice drawing buildings, I made my first attempt at building a model out of card board tonight (a saturday night). In fact it is the only time where my mind literally goes blank and I think about what I am doing. I have little background in art, I mean i liked doodleing but I wasn't very good, and I have some understanding of programs like inDesign, and a little photoshop since i was slightly into advertising, but I am not even close to being able to make a competitve portfolio.
You may ask why I would want to be in architecture with little art, and apparently little math background. When I was young, I use to be nearly exceptional at math, I still love word and math problems when I play around with questions from the Gmat, and the GRE, and I think in alot of ways architecture will be like a geometric word problem that involves space, and measurement.
I also think my most unique gift is my imagination. I have always been told that I am a very creative writer, and pretty much single handedly developed our advertising campaign that got nominated for a major award. I also have gotten into things like fashion design during college. I am inventive in that capacity, I am just a very mediocre drawer/painter at best.
All things considered, I have talked to architects, and I know the bad and good parts of the job. I really want this but have no clue how to begin my portfolio. Where can a guy who has no real history in the world of art begin at the late age of 23?
thanks in advance! |
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lireland
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject: to be blunt |
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Nice to see the interest, but I might suggest keeping a few other options open. Applications to architecture programs, undergrad and grad have skyrocketed. At my school undergrad admittance is about 1 of 10, the graduate programs is better, about 1 of 6 get in. A 3.3 might be enough, but from what I know that’s the bottom tier. I have heard of people getting in programs in past years with as low as 3.1 so there is hope. Keep in mind you are going up against thousands of unemployed architects going back for a masters to be productive and avoid starbucks in the slow economy all with beautiful portfolios.
That said, focus on free hand drawing. You will be taught to draft , think and produce in class, so prove you have the creative mind you talked about. A great starting book would be some of Francis Ching’s work. Talk to admissions people at individual universities, they know far better than I do what they want to see. Go to naab.org to find accredited masters programs. |
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Jordan99
Joined: 20 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the reply! I am already drawing alot. Do you have a recommendation on the types of drawings I should include (both sketches, and actual models of buildings?) Also, I know this might be a better question for an admissions director, but do you think it would be enough in a portfolio to show lets say 5 of my best advertisement (print ads/story board ideas), 3-4 photographs, and 3-4 drawings, or is it something where I would need to include constructed models, and more. Any insight will help. Thanks so much! |
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lireland
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:57 am Post subject: re |
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| My suggestion is to avoid drawing buildings, at least not buildings you designed. You will be taught how to design, don't try and do something you haven't been schooled in yet. Focus on gaining some drawing skills, and start small. Sketches, still life arrangements using simple things, boxes, random things laying around the kitchen, ect. Use a dark space so you can control the lighting to recreate your conditions as you work. If you feel adventurous, move onto interior perspectives exterior scenes. Use those ad campaigns and photos, refine and reduce them to their best. All that work will be great for a portfolio, and remember most application portfolios are printed media, plan ahead for that. Along with don't design buildings yet, don't bother with the models. Refining some modeling skills is a good idea, but not needed at this point. The language of architects is drawing, try to learn the language and how to express the ideas in your head on paper so they can be shared with others. That's my 2 cents, and once again talk to individual schools admission counselors, they know what they want far better than I can guess. |
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amjacobs7
Joined: 23 Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:01 am Post subject: lireland is right |
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First of all, do what lireland says.
If you really, really want to go to architecture school, apply to about 15 of them (some famous ones and some not so famous and some unheard of). You will probably get into at least one and then you can go from there. It is expensive to apply to lots of schools, but if you really want to go to one and you want the best chances possible, apply to lots of them. $2000 in application fees is nothing compared to 3 years of tuition anyway.
You don't have to go to architecture school to become an architect. You can work for a number of years (about 7 or 8 maybe - you would have to check the exact number with ncarb) under a licensed architect and then take the licensing exams. The problem with this route is that you may not learn to think like an architect quite as well as if you went to school. But then again, maybe this is for the best as most architects are a little mentally unstable. |
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Jordan99
Joined: 20 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Amjacob, thank you for replying as well. Do they like to get students from diverse backgrounds for M.Arch programs? Also, I know that in California you can be a lawyer if you pass the bar, and you don't have to go to law school. However, if you didn't go to an accredited law school I am told that it's looked down on.
I'v never thought about not going to architecture school, but seeing that I am already 73 thousand dollars in debt, it may be easier than trying make it out $150,000 debt. after getting my M.arch, I guess it's tough no matter how I look at it, but thanks for your help.
also do any places offer part time M.arch programs? |
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GoldieNC
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Jordan99, I am in the same boat you are in, I have a BS in EE, and an AS in Networking but now I am looking for a M. Arch. I have talked to some instructors, that teach at the local Architecture school at NCSU, and they encourage me to look at an option by the name of Track 3. Which is a Masters in Architecture degree for non Architect majors. He did mention that the instructors enjoy teaching the older students, because they are more focused.
The instructor mentioned a couple of things to me for entrance, one I have to take the GRE, I hate standardized tests, and two I have to present a portfolio for review. I do have a large background in Art, but I am rusty in the sketching area, I am currently refreshing myself in the sketching area, by basically starting from scratch, fruiits, vegetables, tools, etc.... then progress in to more difficult areas. I am hoping to have a portfolio together for next fall entrance.
I would take the suggestion of lireland, talk to some admissions people, maybe they can help with your portfolio as well. I also know certain schools do portfolio reviews, RISD being one, but I believe there is a National Organization that has traveling Design Portfolio reviews but the organization is eluding me right now. If I come across it I will post it, maybe somebody on the forums sight can help out.
Thanks for the post |
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Jordan99
Joined: 20 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:15 am Post subject: |
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GoldieNC, thanks for the response. It's good to see you have a background in art at least. I have saturated myself in drawing techniques and art as of late and I love it. I have also improved quite a bit on my drawing, and I am hoping that with alot of practice, I will be able to submit some good sketches, and perhaps scaled drawings in my portfolio.
Best of luck to you in the application process. |
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innova+e
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 63
Location: lisbon
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| Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't assume that 23 is "late" in terms of age, as deciding to go into architectural programs reguires the notion that you'll be in school for 5-7 years depending on your transfers and priors fulfilled. It is a large commitment to make of your time, and to make it in, through and out one needs to be dedicated to turning themselves into an architect, and not so much just passing tests. Keep honing your skills in drawing as lireland was suggesting, don't worry about designing buildings just yet.. that will come. Pick up some drawing books by Ching, to begin to understand the underlying basics of drawing for representation. By the way, I started at 26 and turned out just fine (relatively speaking).
While being good in problem solving and mathematics will help you in many instances, it's best to understand that while looking at architecture as a geometric problem or quiz, you'll need to have a grasp of understanding the social and individual humanistic, and enviromental requirements or variables, that go into the process of an architectural work. I think you will find that your experience in human relations or pr will help you the most, in communcating your ideas, when drawing or design skills may lack somewhat.
I have to also agree with the above posters, in that the market, globally speaking, is in dire straits when it comes to trades in construction. Don't let this deter you, however don't expect to find that high paying positions as an architect are readily available. There is a lot of competition for the few positions available. But then again, if you go into architecture for the money, you'll be disapointed and would probably find that pursuing a degree as a math teacher or accountant might be more lucrative, while possibly less stimulating to your imagination. None the less, best of luck to you, and don't give up if this is what you really want. cg. |
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