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those looking to build the portfolio/skills

binary

i would suggest learning how to develop production drawings and understand how things go together.......


upon my search for employment, i was never able to land a job in an architecture firm for some reason. i recently landed a job as an engineer/draftsman at an exhibit company and was offered a decent salary due to my experience IN ACTUALLY DESIGNING AND BUILDING ITEMS AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THINGS GO TOGETHER.

this particular job was open for about 8 weeks and this company interviewed alot of architecture students and those in the arch. profession. the head engineer person told me that practically all of the arch. people had no clue on how things are made and developed on the exhibit level. you have to understand certain joints/materials/tolerances/assembly/crating/disassembly/material sizes/etc.

i know so folks can detail some things but on the production side, sometimes that wont fly.

so, i would suggest those seeking work, to freshen up on 3d modelling in cad and understanding how things are produced. remember that exhibits have to be built/taken down/ crated/shipped/etc.... so you have to think ahead.


just giving some pointers thats all.....


we all can make some hottt pictures/designs, but being able to make production drawings with dados/etc is what really matters....


b

 
Nov 20, 08 10:22 pm
b3tadine[sutures]

cryz, your ability to get that job i think had more to do with your skills than a lack of 3d skills. i don't even know if i could do exhibit design now, given the criteria you listed, part of doing that specific design niche is being exposed to the language and materials of that niche. it's not taught in school, is what i mean.

Nov 20, 08 11:51 pm  · 
 · 
binary

right....

but as i have always been a firm believer in getting your hands dirty, it can pay off.

in all honesty, i'm sure i'm not up on the latest products/codes in the arch. realm but all that can be learned if given a chance. as for production type work, it's a matter of seeing parts and understanding assembly/etc.

some exhibit design is a bit boring while others do get into dynamics and ergonomics shapes/materials and the like.

i also know that some exhibit houses also do buildouts for architecture firms for museums/zoos/etc so there is still some connection between the cd/cad work and design.

if you ever get a chance, go visit an exhibit house/wood shop/etc and get a feel of what goes on during the production side of things. i'm sure most of the shop guys would appreciate your interest in how they do things and what goes on. it might open up your eyes a bit and then you might think twice about making some crazy morphed floating eel in the middle of a fish bowl...


b

Nov 21, 08 12:19 am  · 
 · 
grid

congrats on the job - is that in detroit or did you make it to california?

Nov 21, 08 7:16 pm  · 
 · 
binary

it's in jersey.... i was offered an interview about 6 weeks ago but at first i passed on it since i was looking for an arch job and to get idp.... then a few weeks past and i was contacted again about the job and decided to take it since my luck in the arch field was running really short......

i will be back in detroit for my pecha kucha presentation next week so that should be cool.....

gotta keep pushing along ........


b

Nov 21, 08 8:04 pm  · 
 · 
aspect

absolutely not true at all,

many firm looks for young talents, if they think that u have the "sensibility", they will teach u...

different firm has different production line, knowing a conventional detail doesn't necessary land u a job.

Nov 21, 08 10:53 pm  · 
 · 
binary

you think.....

i can only talk from my experience ..... i have heard alot of b.s. reasons of why i wasnt 'hire-able'

-not enough office experience
-dont know sketchup
-dont know revit
-dont know certain codes
-etc.....


and i have applied to practically every firm in detroit and out of state.......from entry level positions to intermediate positions...


i would think that knowing how to build and having the train of thought on assembly/detailing is what a firm should look for in a person that is going to do cd's and design...... i know some folks in the field that really have no clue on understanding connections/etc... all they do is copy/paste specs from the firms library and product books.....a no thought process really.....

all in due time........

Nov 21, 08 11:05 pm  · 
 · 
aspect

i think u are talking about the basic skill like sketchup, revit and codes, and those u can learn from taking a weekly course to enhance ur competitiveness...

i understand is tough time for architects world wide, so better equip urself in all aspect...

good luck.

Nov 21, 08 11:16 pm  · 
 · 
binary

and hence back to the old programs vs. hands on experience arguement

Nov 22, 08 12:04 am  · 
 · 

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