With the recent job market figures going bad to worst, its much tougher for architects to land to a decent job nowadays. In the meantime, we resort to various activities like Grad school and competitions just for the wheel to keep spinning. Im currently scouring some competitions to join in just to beef up my portfolio.
Most architectural competitions are quite intimidating with the tight deadline and overwhelming requirements; so Im asking: has anyone tried doing it alone? how was it?
smaller scale or local ones that are free to enter or have all digital submissions are what i tend to look for now
it gets way too pricey when you have to pay an entrance fee then ridiculous large color printing and mounting
I would imagine that they are intimating cuz there are studios that spend the entire semester working out their idea and get feedback on it during reviews – so not only is it a studio project that someone spends practically 12 hours a day on it but its more detailed than the ones that spend two-three weeks on it. But I agree, they are fun.
i have done comps both by myself and with a partner... i've found that i have more fun when i pair up with someone... i also try to find competitions that stage exhibitions of the entries... that way i can add an exhibition credit to my CV in addition to getting portfolio fodder... i also try to find comps that allow you to submit digitally (which seems to be becoming more popular) so that i don't have to deal with the exorbitant costs of printing and shipping.
also, don't be intimidated... you shouldn't be going into any competition assuming that you'll win... the odds are just too slim... just look at it as a way of developing your portfolio, skills, and ideas... if you happen to win some money then that is an added bonus.
i've been feeling very similar about individual competition entries -- you guys are making me feel better!
not that i ever expect to win, but that it seems weird not to do a group submission -- it's what we did in school, but since then everyone has pretty much dispersed.
i think it all depends on why you are doing one
if its a fun thing on the side, its probably not that convenient to do it with a group, since you have to find time to meet and discuss
I have found that if i do one, i do most of the concept either doodling at work if an idea pops in my head or over lunch, or on the train ride to and from work
Then at the end near the deadline, i will do the presentation part of it
Fitting time in to meet with a group wouldnt really be possible for me and would just make it almost like a 2nd job, which isnt why i do any competitions
in general, definitely dont feel intimidated about entering by yourself
remember that firms, especially these days, when staffs have been pared down to their bare minimum, don't have a lot of time to devote to the competitions they do choose to participate in. Only a small fraction of each staff designer's time may be devoted to the competition.. and sometimes the message is "we want you to use firm production resources but only work on it in your own spare, non-billable time"
So for an individual, I wouldn't automatically conclude that firms will be able to throw more bodies into smaller competitions that don't automatically terminate into multi-million dollar commissions. You might actually be competing against a tag team of 3 guys with 16 hours a week plus ten minutes of a principal's time, to devote to it, between 6pm and 2am each day. You could put in a full time commitment and do a better job than that firm dsepite their formidable reputation.
If you are looking for a good competition to enter check out the Holcim Awards US. It is free to enter and there is lots of prize money. There is also a prestigious jury and there will be lots of publicity for the winners. It just might be the perfect competition for you. Holcim Awards US
joining competitions as an individual?
With the recent job market figures going bad to worst, its much tougher for architects to land to a decent job nowadays. In the meantime, we resort to various activities like Grad school and competitions just for the wheel to keep spinning. Im currently scouring some competitions to join in just to beef up my portfolio.
Most architectural competitions are quite intimidating with the tight deadline and overwhelming requirements; so Im asking: has anyone tried doing it alone? how was it?
yes, and its been fine. you can seek out smaller ones if that's easier, i tend to sek out the cheaper/free ones lately.
it also adds portfolio fodder and allows you to explore ideas you otherwise wouldn't be able to.
yeah i do it similar to holz these days
smaller scale or local ones that are free to enter or have all digital submissions are what i tend to look for now
it gets way too pricey when you have to pay an entrance fee then ridiculous large color printing and mounting
i think they are fun to have on the side
I would imagine that they are intimating cuz there are studios that spend the entire semester working out their idea and get feedback on it during reviews – so not only is it a studio project that someone spends practically 12 hours a day on it but its more detailed than the ones that spend two-three weeks on it. But I agree, they are fun.
i have done comps both by myself and with a partner... i've found that i have more fun when i pair up with someone... i also try to find competitions that stage exhibitions of the entries... that way i can add an exhibition credit to my CV in addition to getting portfolio fodder... i also try to find comps that allow you to submit digitally (which seems to be becoming more popular) so that i don't have to deal with the exorbitant costs of printing and shipping.
also, don't be intimidated... you shouldn't be going into any competition assuming that you'll win... the odds are just too slim... just look at it as a way of developing your portfolio, skills, and ideas... if you happen to win some money then that is an added bonus.
i've been feeling very similar about individual competition entries -- you guys are making me feel better!
not that i ever expect to win, but that it seems weird not to do a group submission -- it's what we did in school, but since then everyone has pretty much dispersed.
i think it all depends on why you are doing one
if its a fun thing on the side, its probably not that convenient to do it with a group, since you have to find time to meet and discuss
I have found that if i do one, i do most of the concept either doodling at work if an idea pops in my head or over lunch, or on the train ride to and from work
Then at the end near the deadline, i will do the presentation part of it
Fitting time in to meet with a group wouldnt really be possible for me and would just make it almost like a 2nd job, which isnt why i do any competitions
in general, definitely dont feel intimidated about entering by yourself
remember that firms, especially these days, when staffs have been pared down to their bare minimum, don't have a lot of time to devote to the competitions they do choose to participate in. Only a small fraction of each staff designer's time may be devoted to the competition.. and sometimes the message is "we want you to use firm production resources but only work on it in your own spare, non-billable time"
So for an individual, I wouldn't automatically conclude that firms will be able to throw more bodies into smaller competitions that don't automatically terminate into multi-million dollar commissions. You might actually be competing against a tag team of 3 guys with 16 hours a week plus ten minutes of a principal's time, to devote to it, between 6pm and 2am each day. You could put in a full time commitment and do a better job than that firm dsepite their formidable reputation.
Thanks Guys. now i feel reassured. guess ill try joining some while waiting for my M.Arch application results and job replies.haha
If you are looking for a good competition to enter check out the Holcim Awards US. It is free to enter and there is lots of prize money. There is also a prestigious jury and there will be lots of publicity for the winners. It just might be the perfect competition for you. Holcim Awards US
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