For context, I am fairly young and kinda creative. I love painting and drawing but have little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture. My parents have been constantly telling me to be an architect so that they could grow their real estate business but I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. Especially with the math part of it all, it terrifies me. I'm not even sure if it will make me happy. Should still pursue architecture?
tduds
Sep 2, 20 12:41 pm
I don't know where people keep getting the idea that Architecture involves a ton of math. If it's any consolation, you're rarely going to use math more complex than 8th grade algebra unless you actively choose to.
Also, an affinity for painting and drawing is a good first step towards architecture, but it's 1) not architecture, and 2) not necessarily an indicator of architectural talent. That said, try pushing your creative impulses towards 3-Dimensions. Architecture is all about space, so try creating some spaces. Keep it abstract. See how it turns out.
You're young and life is long. Explore what piques your interest, but know when to give it up. You've got tons of time to try and move on!
SpontaneousCombustion
Sep 2, 20 12:46 pm
There's very little advanced math required in the daily lives of most architects. There is however some advanced math to get through in some architecture degree programs. The much larger problem with what you've written is that there is also very little painting and drawing involved in the daily lives of most architects, and a great deal of reading and managing technical and business information. There are a small % of architects who are in roles that involve mostly conceptual design work, but those roles are few and far between, and usually do not come until after some years of more all-around all-purpose roles in firms, and it's a role that is very unlikely to be found while managing your parents' real estate business. It sounds as though you are probably better suited for something a little more consistently creative - maybe graphic design, illustration, product design, fashion... Or, if you must resign yourself to managing your parents' business then it might make more sense for you to pursue real estate and/or business as your fields of study. I can't see how an architecture degree would be particularly helpful for that role, unless they're just hoping that you can supply the professional stamps for a lot of commercial projects - but you wouldn't really be qualified to do that until you get licensed AND got some years of experience generating, coordinating, and managing CD sets and contract administration on commercial projects in other firms, which it doesn't sound like you have that much interest in pursuing. In any case, if you're seriously considering architecture, try to arrange some informational interviews with architects, to get a feel for what we do in a typical day.
apscoradiales
Sep 2, 20 1:08 pm
Ask architects if you can visit their places, without pay. Just sit there and watch for a week or so. Might give you an idea what is involved in being an "architect".
You said "little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture" if you don't like technical drawing, you should run away like wind from this profession, seriously. Chance of you doing only graphic and design for big company is possible but very low, even then that requires frequent interaction and understanding of technical drawings.
I would suggest not get into this profession but then you mentioned "they could grow their real estate business." Now that is an advantage, assuming it is development? If it is flipping property, being architect won't help much. Having a rich developer parent is great, you can be architect/developer, my dream job.
"Especially with the math part of it all, it terrifies me." You don't do math, just understand some basics so you know consultants are not BSing. Mostly it is about coordination and drawing production, not even that much of design unless you are in big successful firms.
So my verdict, you probably shouldn't pursuit it unless your parents are wealthy developers.If they are wealthy developers, just collaborate with them and develop, design, build your own projects. It will be fun and good money.
As far as "I'm not even sure if it will make me happy." You won't know for sure. You are judging it based on your current age and experience. It changes as you get older. As people approach mid age, most of them only cares about pay scale and their hobbies and not really what they do. What would be helpful is to list some alternative professions out for comparison. And seriously, artistic is not one of them unless you want to have your rich parents fund you.
apscoradiales
Sep 2, 20 1:05 pm
Based on your comments, I would say no.
You probably will not be happy; painting does not equal "architecture".
FWIW, you don't have to be great at math; as an architect, you leave that to your engineer consultants. Yes, you will have to pass all kinds of structural engineering, and other, courses, but no matter where you start working, they will not let you design columns and beams, They have structural engineers for that.
Don't fear math. Now, you will have to be conversant, and familiar with building technology, again, up to a point. There are Architectural Technologists working in pretty well every office; they're far more familiar with that part of architecture, than most young graduate architects. On more sophisticated projects, you can also have Building Envelope consultants who will guide you through the process - for a fee, which hopefully your client pays for. There are also Building Code consultants who will guide you through that part as well.
Naturally, you do gain a lot of knowledge over years, but there is always somebody who you can ask for help or direction if you feel lost - you are really never on your own.
Designing building from scratch is normally reserved for the practices owner(s) or specialised architects in the firm. You may never get to design anything other than your parents home - some architects don't even design their own home since that involves a lot more thinking and ideas than they can deal with. If you are lucky, working for a good boss, and if you are really talented, you may climb that ladder in a firm, but that does not happen every day.
One of the big things today, as has been for a while, is your CAD knowledge. To get a job, you will have to be damn near perfect in a bunch of programmes such as Revit, AutoCAD, and a whole plethora of others. During the interview, they will tell you they need they need someone with 10-15 years of Revit experience - they might even give you a test to see how good you are. If you're slow, you won't make it.
CAD stuff is more important for younger graduates than your ability to design buildings. All the firms you will be applying at already have people who "design" stuff. Many designers also help out with Working Drawings, and that's where you need technical knowledge, as well as know how to do Construction Documents which include Working Drawings and Specifications.
But, like I said at the beginning, architecture may not be for you - try a building trade. There is bigger potential in that - you could establish your own Construction Company in due course, and you may end up being a happier person for it.
Good luck.
lower.case.yao
Sep 3, 20 1:54 pm
Remind your parents of recent architecture grad salaries, that should dissuade their business sense. If they want you to grow their business, they should be pushing you towards an mba instead.
Jay1122
Sep 3, 20 2:14 pm
I bet the parents think they are better than people with MBA. And they probably just want a rubber stamp for drafting and sealing drawings in house assuming its development work in real estate business. If its house flipping, big oh no.
Non Sequitur
Sep 3, 20 3:10 pm
should I pursue medicine? I’m not really good with the whole studying thing or science in general, but my father is overweight and likely will need a cardiologist at one point in the future. Should I apply to med school so that when that my father can get surgery on the cheap when that eventual heart attack comes? Please advise.
SpontaneousCombustion
Sep 3, 20 3:14 pm
There's hardly any science in cardiology these days. You just need to learn a few commands in AutoCARD.
Jay1122
Sep 3, 20 3:42 pm
That analogy is not really parallel tho. It would be if OP was like" my contractor parents are planning to build their custom house later. They want me to pursuit architecture so we can design and build it ourselves."
Jokes aside, if his parents are developers, it will be really beneficial to be architect even if he hates it.It is great to have people on both sides of the table. Even if he does not care about architecture, he will appreciate the moolah. Architect/developer is my dream career, but development requires big asset and capital.
atelier nobody
Sep 3, 20 3:54 pm
No amount of money would make me happy being nothing but a drawing stamper for a developer.
Jay1122
Sep 3, 20 4:09 pm
That is why architect as developer is a little different. You can still embrace design if you can secure enough funding and get the target luxurious market. Example: Jonathan Segal.
atelier nobody
Sep 3, 20 3:24 pm
"[I] have little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture."
You've answered your own question. Consider graphic design and/or illustration.
SneakyPete
Sep 3, 20 4:09 pm
If you don't count the buildings the amount of art I make is, amortized over time, approximately zero.
awaiting_deletion
Sep 3, 20 6:54 pm
I do lots of math and make more money than architects who don't, its simple math.
with that said, if you want to make some money (better than an artist) architecture is a good gig and crosses over a lot into art.
randomised
Sep 4, 20 2:31 am
There is design and creativity in every aspect of architecture, if you know where to look. Is laying out your drawing on a sheet not a creative graphic design exercise already? And for the math, there’s a lot of creativity in math if you want to dive into that, nothing to be afraid of, but mostly basic math is enough and simply helps to know how to work with spreadsheets.
gwharton
Sep 4, 20 10:48 am
If you have to ask, the answer is no.
Chad Miller
Sep 4, 20 11:25 am
No. It means you're looking for advice from people involved in the field. I get why you had respond with a tired old trope instead of providing actual input though.
Jay1122
Sep 4, 20 11:33 am
Hey at least he asked around people in the field. Do you know how i decided architecture? I didn't. I don't know jack shit about architecture or future at that high school age. I applied one school with architecture, another school with computer science. Let god decide for me and roll a dice. Well, i don't regret going into architecture, loved everything about architecture, from theory to practice to construction to detailing.Well, except doing boring small renovation projects, that shit is just smash and grab for money, no fitness. Anyway i bet i can shift to a firm later doing some larger projects. Just so you know, you don't really know things for sure especially at young age, your perspective changes with experience and age. And pursue your passion at that age may be a wrong decision. Like Fine art degree?English Major?Psychology? What what i believe is, it is not a profession you choose that leads to success. it is dedication for your chosen path.Although there are still general preferences, like i would never choose med school, hate those organs and body parts or disease.
For context, I am fairly young and kinda creative. I love painting and drawing but have little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture. My parents have been constantly telling me to be an architect so that they could grow their real estate business but I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. Especially with the math part of it all, it terrifies me. I'm not even sure if it will make me happy. Should still pursue architecture?
I don't know where people keep getting the idea that Architecture involves a ton of math. If it's any consolation, you're rarely going to use math more complex than 8th grade algebra unless you actively choose to.
Also, an affinity for painting and drawing is a good first step towards architecture, but it's 1) not architecture, and 2) not necessarily an indicator of architectural talent. That said, try pushing your creative impulses towards 3-Dimensions. Architecture is all about space, so try creating some spaces. Keep it abstract. See how it turns out.
You're young and life is long. Explore what piques your interest, but know when to give it up. You've got tons of time to try and move on!
There's very little advanced math required in the daily lives of most architects. There is however some advanced math to get through in some architecture degree programs. The much larger problem with what you've written is that there is also very little painting and drawing involved in the daily lives of most architects, and a great deal of reading and managing technical and business information. There are a small % of architects who are in roles that involve mostly conceptual design work, but those roles are few and far between, and usually do not come until after some years of more all-around all-purpose roles in firms, and it's a role that is very unlikely to be found while managing your parents' real estate business. It sounds as though you are probably better suited for something a little more consistently creative - maybe graphic design, illustration, product design, fashion... Or, if you must resign yourself to managing your parents' business then it might make more sense for you to pursue real estate and/or business as your fields of study. I can't see how an architecture degree would be particularly helpful for that role, unless they're just hoping that you can supply the professional stamps for a lot of commercial projects - but you wouldn't really be qualified to do that until you get licensed AND got some years of experience generating, coordinating, and managing CD sets and contract administration on commercial projects in other firms, which it doesn't sound like you have that much interest in pursuing.
In any case, if you're seriously considering architecture, try to arrange some informational interviews with architects, to get a feel for what we do in a typical day.
Ask architects if you can visit their places, without pay. Just sit there and watch for a week or so. Might give you an idea what is involved in being an "architect".
First my favorite video So you want to be an architect.
You said "little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture" if you don't like technical drawing, you should run away like wind from this profession, seriously. Chance of you doing only graphic and design for big company is possible but very low, even then that requires frequent interaction and understanding of technical drawings.
I would suggest not get into this profession but then you mentioned "they could grow their real estate business." Now that is an advantage, assuming it is development? If it is flipping property, being architect won't help much. Having a rich developer parent is great, you can be architect/developer, my dream job.
"Especially with the math part of it all, it terrifies me." You don't do math, just understand some basics so you know consultants are not BSing. Mostly it is about coordination and drawing production, not even that much of design unless you are in big successful firms.
So my verdict, you probably shouldn't pursuit it unless your parents are wealthy developers.If they are wealthy developers, just collaborate with them and develop, design, build your own projects. It will be fun and good money.
As far as "I'm not even sure if it will make me happy." You won't know for sure. You are judging it based on your current age and experience. It changes as you get older. As people approach mid age, most of them only cares about pay scale and their hobbies and not really what they do. What would be helpful is to list some alternative professions out for comparison. And seriously, artistic is not one of them unless you want to have your rich parents fund you.
Based on your comments, I would say no.
You probably will not be happy; painting does not equal "architecture".
FWIW, you don't have to be great at math; as an architect, you leave that to your engineer consultants. Yes, you will have to pass all kinds of structural engineering, and other, courses, but no matter where you start working, they will not let you design columns and beams, They have structural engineers for that.
Don't fear math. Now, you will have to be conversant, and familiar with building technology, again, up to a point. There are Architectural Technologists working in pretty well every office; they're far more familiar with that part of architecture, than most young graduate architects. On more sophisticated projects, you can also have Building Envelope consultants who will guide you through the process - for a fee, which hopefully your client pays for. There are also Building Code consultants who will guide you through that part as well.
Naturally, you do gain a lot of knowledge over years, but there is always somebody who you can ask for help or direction if you feel lost - you are really never on your own.
Designing building from scratch is normally reserved for the practices owner(s) or specialised architects in the firm. You may never get to design anything other than your parents home - some architects don't even design their own home since that involves a lot more thinking and ideas than they can deal with. If you are lucky, working for a good boss, and if you are really talented, you may climb that ladder in a firm, but that does not happen every day.
One of the big things today, as has been for a while, is your CAD knowledge. To get a job, you will have to be damn near perfect in a bunch of programmes such as Revit, AutoCAD, and a whole plethora of others. During the interview, they will tell you they need they need someone with 10-15 years of Revit experience - they might even give you a test to see how good you are. If you're slow, you won't make it.
CAD stuff is more important for younger graduates than your ability to design buildings. All the firms you will be applying at already have people who "design" stuff. Many designers also help out with Working Drawings, and that's where you need technical knowledge, as well as know how to do Construction Documents which include Working Drawings and Specifications.
But, like I said at the beginning, architecture may not be for you - try a building trade. There is bigger potential in that - you could establish your own Construction Company in due course, and you may end up being a happier person for it.
Good luck.
Remind your parents of recent architecture grad salaries, that should dissuade their business sense. If they want you to grow their business, they should be pushing you towards an mba instead.
I bet the parents think they are better than people with MBA. And they probably just want a rubber stamp for drafting and sealing drawings in house assuming its development work in real estate business. If its house flipping, big oh no.
should I pursue medicine? I’m not really good with the whole studying thing or science in general, but my father is overweight and likely will need a cardiologist at one point in the future. Should I apply to med school so that when that my father can get surgery on the cheap when that eventual heart attack comes? Please advise.
There's hardly any science in cardiology these days. You just need to learn a few commands in AutoCARD.
That analogy is not really parallel tho. It would be if OP was like" my contractor parents are planning to build their custom house later. They want me to pursuit architecture so we can design and build it ourselves."
Jokes aside, if his parents are developers, it will be really beneficial to be architect even if he hates it.It is great to have people on both sides of the table. Even if he does not care about architecture, he will appreciate the moolah. Architect/developer is my dream career, but development requires big asset and capital.
No amount of money would make me happy being nothing but a drawing stamper for a developer.
That is why architect as developer is a little different. You can still embrace design if you can secure enough funding and get the target luxurious market. Example: Jonathan Segal.
"[I] have little to no desire to pursue technical design of architecture."
You've answered your own question. Consider graphic design and/or illustration.
If you don't count the buildings the amount of art I make is, amortized over time, approximately zero.
I do lots of math and make more money than architects who don't, its simple math.
with that said, if you want to make some money (better than an artist) architecture is a good gig and crosses over a lot into art.
There is design and creativity in every aspect of architecture, if you know where to look. Is laying out your drawing on a sheet not a creative graphic design exercise already? And for the math, there’s a lot of creativity in math if you want to dive into that, nothing to be afraid of, but mostly basic math is enough and simply helps to know how to work with spreadsheets.
If you have to ask, the answer is no.
No. It means you're looking for advice from people involved in the field. I get why you had respond with a tired old trope instead of providing actual input though.
Hey at least he asked around people in the field. Do you know how i decided architecture? I didn't. I don't know jack shit about architecture or future at that high school age. I applied one school with architecture, another school with computer science. Let god decide for me and roll a dice. Well, i don't regret going into architecture, loved everything about architecture, from theory to practice to construction to detailing.Well, except doing boring small renovation projects, that shit is just smash and grab for money, no fitness. Anyway i bet i can shift to a firm later doing some larger projects. Just so you know, you don't really know things for sure especially at young age, your perspective changes with experience and age. And pursue your passion at that age may be a wrong decision. Like Fine art degree?English Major?Psychology? What what i believe is, it is not a profession you choose that leads to success. it is dedication for your chosen path.Although there are still general preferences, like i would never choose med school, hate those organs and body parts or disease.