psh, you can't post these questions without providing the same requested information about yourself, can you?!

are you m.arch I or m.arch II?

me:
incoming M.Arch I (class of 2012)
b.s. in psychobio from UCLA '06
CAD/BIM monkey @ a small arch firm in south pasadena
attended jump start last summer
very mildly contemplating attending the digital workshop (prob. not)
living in a townhouse in sherman oaks with the boyf

now your turn, msmit106.

apologies hobo

class of 2012 M.Arch I
bs arch University of Cincinnati '09 also studied psychology for 2 + years.
interned in New York, LA and Mexico City for small but exciting firms
Originally from Utah but currently living in Cincinnati
I still haven't visited the school but will be in August. I am interested in the faculty and the digital emphasis (although I am concerned it is a fad). There is a very small chance that after visiting I will decide not to attend.
My wife and I are planning on living in a studio apartment in Westwood. I want to be able to walk to school and pay under 1000 dollars, maybe an ambitious goal.

What is the digital workshop?

correct me if I am wrong, but I heard a rumor that the workshop was not happening due to lack of interest...actually that would be lack ppl interetsed in paying soooo much money during a recession..but maybe its still happening ,just what iheard fomr a frind who works at jumepstart this summer.

anyway....UCLA is awesome..I just competed my first year..I loved it!

ff33, glad to hear you liked it. Did you come from an architectural background? Is there something that specifically stands out as a reason you have enjoyed this past year so much?

I came from an Arch Background...about 2/3 of the class typically does....frankly I am not sure it matters for the UCLA coursework. Experience in digital modeling is crucial though.

Mainly, I really enjoyed my studios: i had Georgina Huljicich, Hadrian Predock and Craig Hodgetts.

I recommend you all get fluent in Rhino ASAP....and then of course if you have that figured out ...then learn ( in order):

+ illustrator, duh
+ paneling tools
+ vray, or any renderer
+ intro grasshopper
+ Maya if you can.

All I can say is..quarters are short, concise and brutal...( like 3 full semesters, 10 weeks each)

Seems like the computer class quarter was most brutal on everyone, although I was able to skip it. seems like the programs weekness is teh digital production pace crammed into short sessions...but the strengths include a fair measure of open mindedness and excellent faculty. Good luck everyone!

ff33, how were you able to skip the course? I would like to do so myself.

ff33, really glad to hear your enthusiasm about the program.

class of 2012 M.ArchI here too.

BA arch from Illinois at Chicago in 2008 and have been working at a small firm in chicago this last year.

I was really impressed with the quality of work being done there when i attended the open house and im really excited about the faculty-though its too bad dagmar richter is leaving.

The open house was the only time ive ever been to LA so i'm kinda daunted about moving out there(so expensive!) but i think im looking at either culver city or westwood. Going to try and make it without a car i think.

msmit
yeah the computer class is supposed to cover like specific kinds of geometry and stuff...so like if you cannot show the instructor you've done say extensive NURBS modeling, etc... then you won't get out of it..I think the instructor is picky. Its not a useless class or anything , just a lot of fucking work. I was feeling really bad for all those who had that class,(not sleeping in order to learn how to draw "slugs" in rhino.)

glow..
you don't need no car....bring your bike. Life in LA is actually way better if you don't try to drive everywhere.

Rhino is my primary modeling tool but I havent modeled anything too complex. Guess I will plan on the class. I unfortunately love sleep.

Any other UCLA students to be out there?

ff33-would you recommend buying a laptop or a desktop for the program?

glow
....the desktop option is best IMO. i.e. get a work station with 2 monitors..I think there are some good deals these days...@ frys, etc

Also, just a thought....if you guys want to skip the expensive digital workshop...some of us from 1st year can do some crash course sessions with you guys to get you in shape. We can meet anywhere and train you in: all the stuff I mentioned previously. I am already teaching Rhino and Revit to some folks. My friend is a whiz at Grasshopper, and another friend knows Maya. We could get you ready for rendering, fabrication ,etc. We may not be able to afford to spend the time pro bono, per se..but I am sure we come agree on decent rate that we all can be happy with.

Anyway, just a thought,..email if you are interested.

Hey there future classmates, allow me to introduce myself:

• M. Arch I, class of 2012
• B.A. in Arch from UC Berkeley, 2006
• Currently working for a medium-sized firm in San Francisco
• Still waiting to hear back from Housing Services (anybody else get an offer yet?)

I chose UCLA because of the outstanding faculty, the technology/fabrication resources, and that sweet in-state tuition.

ff33, I already put down my deposit for the digital workshop, but if it does get cancelled I'll take you up on your offer.

am i the only incoming M.Arch I student at UCLA with NO background in architecture/design??

i went to the open house in march and only met 1 other incoming student with no arch/design background - and she ended up accepting a spot @ berkeley instead, because they separate the 4-yr arch degrees from non.

...i'm so ronery, so ronery and sadry arone. there's no one, just me onry...




if you're out there, say hello. :)

hey ff33, who are you? lol I thought you were Tang for a minute, but he didn't have Craig... hmmm, and your friend is a whiz at grasshopper: that must be Yilip.

Hello everyone else, and welcome to UCLA! I am also in the M.Arch I program and just finished my first year. It is indeed one of the top schools in the world right now, so congratulations on making the right decision (and for being accepted)!

glow - I use a laptop and love it, although you should definitely get a couple monitors for your studio desk.

hobopajamas - there's more non-archie backgrounds out there, they just don't know about archinect, yet ;)

also, learn 3DStudio Max...shoot, learn a bit of everything if you can. Contrary to people's beliefs, the school is not crazy about (nor obsessed with) parametric modeling. HOWEVER, any digital tool you can bring to the table will help you excel in the program. Oh, and for those of you that don't know anything about software...you'll be just fine after a few months of hell. The community of students is extremely open and helpful, and will be more than willing to answer your questions (including us second and third year students).

I was one of those students giving tours at the open house, so continue asking questions if you have any and I'll do my best to answer them...

You mainly need two monitors so you can watch hulu while you work.

other things you will need for studio include:
+ Toaster Oven complete with pop tarts
+ Tea Kettle
+ Mini-Fridge, don't use the one they have, it has a fungus and ants problem, not sure why
+ Sleeping bag, (although the Skank tank has bean bags, you will need a barrier between your body and face and the heavily used vinyl bags.)
+ A shit load of Chop sticks and Hot Sauce
+ 1 or 2 Cases of Charles Schwab Shiraz, I think it is 22.50$ at Traders Joe's
+ Bacon-Flavored Snack Foods, there is a very helpful guy in our studio that loves Bacon, you will want to get on his good side
+ Rain Gutter, in case you get a window seat.

ff33, are you MINI!?!?!

no , Gambit. I am the Dean of the school.

Gambit and/or ff33,

I still haven't visited UCLA, I was working outside the country during the open house. How are the studio spaces? I am hoping they are not as cramped as they were at Cincinnati.

Also, I am going to try to check out the school sometime before the quarter starts. Would any of you be willing to give me a tour?

I think we could work something out... email me sometime and we'll figure out the details. I could probably swing by after work sometime

Studio spaces have nice lighting , but get kind of dirty. The school worked hard to keep things clean, but stuff piles up very quick around first year. Mainly snack foods, empty bottles of zap, and sleeping bodies, and a ton of models ...also watch out for the occasional "Perloff crawler".

Have fun with those tours Gambit!

Hello my future friends and family...

- M. Arch I, class of 2012
- B.A. in Arch from Berkeley 2007
- Working for a small known "digital" firm in Los Angeles
- Commuting to school for the first quarter (yeah i know dont do it, but no option)

I chose UCLA over SCI-ARC and no regrets!
Is there some sort of rhino preference/emphasis at UCLA?
I am advanced at modeling in maya, its the tool of trade at work. Yeah i can loft and make stls and stuff in rhino but im not a fan of nurbs. Are we forced into nurbs modeling 1st year?

hah, I believe that ff33's name is Minitoshi Chube.

actually, I know the real identity of this ff33, but who is Gambit? Studio profs? Lets play the guessing game here, I had (in order) Hadrian, Kevin & Roger...