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M.Arch 1 application portfolio review

lower.case.yao

https://issuu.com/lowercaseyao/docs/181213_test1

Hey guys, I know there are tons of useful information gained from the hundreds of portfolio review posts here, and i’ve gained so much from reading them. I’ve just been too focused on my own thing lately that I could really use another set of eyes on my portfolio. Havent put text in yet, in a separate file for editing, but very low amount of it I expect.

I plan on applying this cycle to five top schools in the US. Thanks!

 
Dec 12, 18 7:28 pm
delfina

really nice portfolio! one of the best I have seen on architect

Dec 13, 18 6:20 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

Hi, thanks deflina! Here is my completely up to date portfolio:

https://issuu.com/lowercaseyao...

I'm really concerned with the order I've placed the projects, but I want to see how you guys feel about it. They say put your best project first and last, but I'm not quite sure what the impact will be using what I put there. I'm also quite biased so I really need some second and third opinions.

I'm also sure that I want to update more, but I want to know what you guys think as well.

Thanks guys, please critique!

Dec 14, 18 3:28 pm  · 
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designermom

I thought your portfolio was really well done. It is easy to understand, creative and organized. I wouldn't change a thing.

Dec 14, 18 3:32 pm  · 
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Dangermouse

i'd say your chances are ~90% for GSD/Yale/Columbia/MIT, 0-50% for Princeton but really who knows

Dec 14, 18 5:13 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

I wish the odds were that great, thanks!

Dec 14, 18 11:18 pm  · 
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Dangermouse

they are, a few projects could easily be something i'd see in a mid review pinup for core at the gsd. assuming you aren't a total fucking idiot with bad grades, an awful SOP and garbage recs, you're getting in.

Dec 15, 18 12:47 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

Wow, that’s surprising, but good news! I think my recs are very good, grades are OK, and working on my SOP.

Dec 15, 18 1:52 pm  · 
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Dangermouse

word of the wise: make your sop about specific elements of the program to which you are applying, and do not under any circumstances make one sop for all 5 schools! "i love design" and "i wanna go to harvard" are like background noise for adcom members.  talk about your specific interests (i.e. non perspective space) and relate that to specific faculty/initiatives in the school.  

Dec 15, 18 3:03 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

Thats great advice, I’ll take that to heart when crafting
my letter, thank you!

Dec 15, 18 3:48 pm  · 
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Nico Wright
Your portfolio looks as good if not better than students coming out of those programs, why are you bothering with grad school and the crushing student debt? Seems like you should be able to market yourself to any firm you want to with your skills.
Dec 15, 18 11:34 am  · 
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lower.case.yao

Thank you, but unfortunately if I want to get licensed I’ll need the M.arch. Also I legitimately like the work coming out of those studios, haha.

Dec 15, 18 1:54 pm  · 
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ArchitectureStu

Your portfolio looks really good. You sure you are applying for M.Arch 1? I think you are quiet beyond M.Arch 1 level 

Dec 15, 18 3:38 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

Thank you! Yes, I went the non-traditional route and did four years undergrad, worked for a while, now coming back to finish what I should’ve done years ago.

Dec 15, 18 3:51 pm  · 
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elianaacevedo

I would not change a thing, really well done!

Dec 15, 18 5:50 pm  · 
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lmnoc1

taken down?

Dec 15, 18 10:47 pm  · 
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lower.case.yao

Hi, sorry, its getting close to deadlines and I decided it was prudent to minimize my online presence just in case something happens. A little paranoid I know... If it get the results I want, I’ll upload it again!

Dec 15, 18 10:59 pm  · 
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lmnoc1

Anyway, congratulations. Based on the comments, sounds like some of the most competitive pieces this season

Dec 15, 18 11:05 pm  · 
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Nonononotme

uu i would love to see, if u don't mind can u mail me [email protected] and i'll share mine


Dec 23, 18 2:43 am  · 
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randomised

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours" hahaha like that will work. Hope you like receiving spam...

Dec 23, 18 8:50 am  · 
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lower.case.yao

Yes...I'll get right on that....

Dec 23, 18 9:27 am  · 
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dacedi1

Would be cool to see it as well, I'll send mine along draft as well =) [email protected]

Dec 26, 18 2:00 am  · 
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randomised

Maybe all you people that want to see that great portfolio of lowercase should post theirs here instead ;)

Dec 26, 18 2:38 pm  · 
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dacedi1

True, you're right.

Dec 28, 18 1:20 am  · 
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synekha

Is it too late now to start submitting M.arch I application of Jan 2 deadline?

Dec 27, 18 2:26 am  · 
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elianaacevedo

What do you think about mine? lower.case.yao 

https://issuu.com/elianaaceved...

Dec 28, 18 9:39 am  · 
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lower.case.yao

Hi, I think overall it’s clear and you obviously have the credentials and experience to do well in school. Just some things that stood out.

In your contents page, make the “content” text the same size as your other titles, or vice versa. Also delete the title on the opposite page. I would also delete the header because none of your other pages use it. The spread just doesn’t look right to me, and definitely not as good as your CV spread. It’s a very jarring transition.

Your Animal Center title seems a bit bigger than all your other titles, is it? On your Casa Viva page, make sure the floor plan titles are aligned.

I would also start with your thesis project and end with your Cities for Kids. Those two are clearly your strongest.

Generally, this portfolio looks more like a professional one and not one for grad school apps. I’m just assuming based on your post history that this is for school, so I think it would help if you added more process and diagrams. You need to tell the reader how you ended up with the final product, what moves you made to get there. You can get away with having minimal diagrams for one project, but you have so many there that are just flat renderings and colored drawings. I would even cut some projects out, just leave the best 5-6 and focus on telling the story of those. If all your projects showed the same level of analysis as your thesis or Cities, you would have an amazing portfolio.

Dec 28, 18 11:38 am  · 
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elianaacevedo

Hi! haha its always good to have an eye on it, the content page, yes I think I did it in that way because the portfolio needed to be displayed one page by one, not in this 2 spread page as issuu display it, but now that I will have to send it online I think I would fix it.

Dec 28, 18 5:15 pm  · 
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elianaacevedo

The strongest is so relative to me, I'm glad that you think that cities for kids is that good haha, I was not so sure of where to put it because I didn't consider it as strong to be a closure. This is actually a professional one as I did it for a scholarship and not for a program itself so I had to display what I had done over here, but now I have to start to arrange it to grad school, make more diagrams as you say and make it shorter.

Dec 28, 18 5:26 pm  · 
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bluesquare

Hi! just sent you a message!

Dec 28, 18 3:47 pm  · 
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