I have nearly 7 years of experience in the field, of which the latter years I've focused on residential (single family) architecture. Although I have gotten to do more sketchup modeling and rendering lately, my primary expertise is in production on Revit. I am T I R E D - primarily of being on the computer for most of the day, doing the same kind of work over and over again, like a machine. I feel as if I was losing my humanity. I started painting classes on the weekends, enrolled in online art courses at nights, to get in touch with my more artistic/free/creative side. It has helped, but I still feel stuck. I like the work we do at my current firm, but there seems to be no real opportunities for growth.
I am a registered architect, and I even have enough savings to quit my full-time job and sustain myself for some months. I've thought many times of finally going solo, thinking I could hire out the drafting work on Fiverr (or similar platform), but my CA experience and code knowledge is very minimal, and it leaves me insecure about finally taking the leap. I'm afraid of getting sued, or a building falling apart because of me (lol).
I've tried taking on some small side jobs (drafting mostly), but I am not interested in adding more working hours to my week - I cannot sustain it.
Any thoughts on how to 'unstuck' myself??
I like architecture, and don't want to necessarily change career paths, but at the same time, the current work I'm doing doesn't seem as fulfilling.
Do you want to be a "designer" where your job is something like you draw on tracing paper with a fat pen and then hand off the sketches to production people to make into CD's? Or maybe you give Sketchup models to your Revit drafting people. Anyway, you need to figure out a way to either turn your current job into the above thing or find another employer that will let you be the designer. Do you have a portfolio of your own design work? If not, you better make one. You will need to prove to people you can do the creative stuff.
From your described skills and experience, I don't think you going solo is a good idea at this point.
Production role with minimal exp in code and construction is a recipe for disaster. Get out into the field and get down and dirty with the construction process. Not only will it give you a break from the office, but it will significantly increase the quality of your design/drawings.
Thank you for confirming my gut feeling - with it being so popular these days, it's harder to discern whether or not is the
many people I've talked to seem to always encourage me in the direction of entrepreneurship (too popular these days). But This has been my intent for the past few years, however the opportunity never comes in my current firm. I've considered working for a design builder for a time...
Nov 7, 24 11:33 am ·
·
reallynotmyname
I like the idea of design-build for you. The right one would be a place where you have big role in the early design stages. The CD demands can a lot less in a design-build setting. There may even be drafters there who just do pure production based on what you give them. This is different form most arch firms where just about everybody, overtly or covertly, wants creative control.
Working closely with the people on the "build" side of the operation will really round out your skills.
I'll also add: be kind to yourself. Your feeling stuck is part circumstance, but also your feeling that currently circumstances are not good enough. Everything you've said in OP shows you've done a great job so far! Art classes, licensure... all sound like you've been preparing yourself for your breakthrough moment. Keep encourage yourself! Good luck!
I see two options for you. Either start your own gig or look for a new job in a larger firm. It seems like you have enough experience to go on your own, and whatever you don't know you will learn in the process. If you want to work on larger projects than just SFRs and be involved with CA, design process, etc. - then look for a new firm.
I worked in a small firms doing SFRs for almost 5 years, but I was able to get out and secure a position in a mid-size firm that does large projects, but now I want to start my own practice doing small stuff. I still have some hoops but once I'm done with them, I plan on going full in. With that being said, what state do you practice in? Do you have elaborate Revit libraries/templates/families for SFR related work? I'll pay you for it.
1. Talk to your employer about doing more then just production work, if you are licensed there is no reason why you should only be doing production work, you should be out on site more, and be involved with the other phases of architecture. (the other question is how did you get your license and not have enough CA experience or feel like you dont have enough experience? ) that in itself shows how broken the current architecture system is.
2. If your current employer cant accommodate you, find one that does.
Architects are not meant to sit in front of computer their entire day, I understand its part of paying your dues and we all did it in our beginning phases, but you need to learn how to communicate with your employer and let them know your concerns. As a young professional, you need to learn confidence, value yourself, and be able to communicate what you want. Nobody will handed it to you.
As others have said you should speak to the firm owners about getting out of production. If the firm isn't able to accommodate you then you should look for a new opportunity.
I'm part of a smaller firm (15 design professionals). We do work ranging from $5 million to $165 million. We heave team members with a wide range of experience from 1 year to 45 years. Our less experienced team members are responsible for the majority of our BIM however that's not their only responsibilities. With the exception of two team members everyone does some of everything. I have 22 years experience and still do BIM work. I say this because I don't think it's 'normal' for any team member to be doing just production work.
Nov 17, 24 1:52 pm ·
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Stuck (Tired of 'production' work)
Hello,
I have nearly 7 years of experience in the field, of which the latter years I've focused on residential (single family) architecture. Although I have gotten to do more sketchup modeling and rendering lately, my primary expertise is in production on Revit. I am T I R E D - primarily of being on the computer for most of the day, doing the same kind of work over and over again, like a machine. I feel as if I was losing my humanity. I started painting classes on the weekends, enrolled in online art courses at nights, to get in touch with my more artistic/free/creative side. It has helped, but I still feel stuck. I like the work we do at my current firm, but there seems to be no real opportunities for growth.
I am a registered architect, and I even have enough savings to quit my full-time job and sustain myself for some months. I've thought many times of finally going solo, thinking I could hire out the drafting work on Fiverr (or similar platform), but my CA experience and code knowledge is very minimal, and it leaves me insecure about finally taking the leap. I'm afraid of getting sued, or a building falling apart because of me (lol).
I've tried taking on some small side jobs (drafting mostly), but I am not interested in adding more working hours to my week - I cannot sustain it.
Any thoughts on how to 'unstuck' myself??
I like architecture, and don't want to necessarily change career paths, but at the same time, the current work I'm doing doesn't seem as fulfilling.
Any insight is appreciated - thank you.
Do you want to be a "designer" where your job is something like you draw on tracing paper with a fat pen and then hand off the sketches to production people to make into CD's? Or maybe you give Sketchup models to your Revit drafting people. Anyway, you need to figure out a way to either turn your current job into the above thing or find another employer that will let you be the designer. Do you have a portfolio of your own design work? If not, you better make one. You will need to prove to people you can do the creative stuff.
From your described skills and experience, I don't think you going solo is a good idea at this point.
Production role with minimal exp in code and construction is a recipe for disaster. Get out into the field and get down and dirty with the construction process. Not only will it give you a break from the office, but it will significantly increase the quality of your design/drawings.
Thank you for confirming my gut feeling - with it being so popular these days, it's harder to discern whether or not is the many people I've talked to seem to always encourage me in the direction of entrepreneurship (too popular these days). But This has been my intent for the past few years, however the opportunity never comes in my current firm. I've considered working for a design builder for a time...
I like the idea of design-build for you. The right one would be a place where you have big role in the early design stages. The CD demands can a lot less in a design-build setting. There may even be drafters there who just do pure production based on what you give them. This is different form most arch firms where just about everybody, overtly or covertly, wants creative control. Working closely with the people on the "build" side of the operation will really round out your skills.
This blog post is full of good (and funny) un-stuck medicine:
So you wanna de-bog yourself - by Adam Mastroianni
I'll also add: be kind to yourself. Your feeling stuck is part circumstance, but also your feeling that currently circumstances are not good enough. Everything you've said in OP shows you've done a great job so far! Art classes, licensure... all sound like you've been preparing yourself for your breakthrough moment. Keep encourage yourself! Good luck!
I see two options for you. Either start your own gig or look for a new job in a larger firm. It seems like you have enough experience to go on your own, and whatever you don't know you will learn in the process. If you want to work on larger projects than just SFRs and be involved with CA, design process, etc. - then look for a new firm.
I worked in a small firms doing SFRs for almost 5 years, but I was able to get out and secure a position in a mid-size firm that does large projects, but now I want to start my own practice doing small stuff. I still have some hoops but once I'm done with them, I plan on going full in. With that being said, what state do you practice in? Do you have elaborate Revit libraries/templates/families for SFR related work? I'll pay you for it.
1. Talk to your employer about doing more then just production work, if you are licensed there is no reason why you should only be doing production work, you should be out on site more, and be involved with the other phases of architecture. (the other question is how did you get your license and not have enough CA experience or feel like you dont have enough experience? ) that in itself shows how broken the current architecture system is.
2. If your current employer cant accommodate you, find one that does.
Architects are not meant to sit in front of computer their entire day, I understand its part of paying your dues and we all did it in our beginning phases, but you need to learn how to communicate with your employer and let them know your concerns. As a young professional, you need to learn confidence, value yourself, and be able to communicate what you want. Nobody will handed it to you.
Get Licensed, it's a time investment that pays off
The OP stated they are licensed.
As others have said you should speak to the firm owners about getting out of production. If the firm isn't able to accommodate you then you should look for a new opportunity.
I'm part of a smaller firm (15 design professionals). We do work ranging from $5 million to $165 million. We heave team members with a wide range of experience from 1 year to 45 years. Our less experienced team members are responsible for the majority of our BIM however that's not their only responsibilities. With the exception of two team members everyone does some of everything. I have 22 years experience and still do BIM work. I say this because I don't think it's 'normal' for any team member to be doing just production work.
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