I'm preparing to apply for M.Arch I programs come 2022, and I'd greatly appreciate any advice from someone who's done the same/has any helpful insight.
A bit about me: I graduated from Boston College with a degree in Finance and Marketing. My CGPA was 3.30 - meh, I know, but I tended to get in the A range in all my arts/humanities/science classes - hopefully that will prove to be somewhat of a positive. My interest in architecture stems back to my early childhood, so I'm definitely not making this change on a whim. A number of events over the past few years have just pushed me to pursue my passions and not look back. I've also always had a knack for drawing and painting, and I love to create art in my free time.
Thus far, I've taken a couple needed prerequisite requirements. I'm also leaving my advertising job next month to take part in the Summer [IN]ARCH program at UCB. Hoping this will help me create some content for my portfolio and gain a good idea as to what a master's program might look like.
Although I feel I'm headed in the right direction, I could always use some extra guidance. Any advice is welcome!
jaredo
May 25, 21 9:15 pm
I also took an intro to arch course and come from a non-arch background. I'm beginning my M.Arch I program this fall. My advice would be to really emphasize process and showcase your thinking and intention behind your portfolio works and design decisions, particularly the ones that will come from your summer program. Aesthetics and form is all nice to look at, but if that's all one shows it will fall short, as schools (rightly) expect some underlying logic and intention behind the work, be it utilitarian, social, cultural, etc. I also recommend treating the portfolio itself as an exercise in design, pay attention to white space, limiting use of text, etc. Good luck! Anything's possible if you work hard.
lukie
May 26, 21 11:16 am
This is all really helpful. Thank you so much!
lukie
May 26, 21 11:32 am
A friend of mine recommended I read Margaret Fletcher's "Constructing the Persuasive Portfolio". Not sure how useful the content will be given my lack of a design background, but I'm hoping it will become my good friend. Really looking forward to putting in all the hard work!
Samantha Hsieh
Jun 11, 21 2:00 pm
The INARCH program will help you decide whether the studio environment is something you want to immerse yourself in for 3 years as an M.Arch student. It'll also teach you a few different graphic programs (rhino, illustrator, indesign, and photoshop). It doesn't teach you that much about design, but it gives you a good idea of Berkeley's pedagogy.
If I were you, I'd learn how to use rhino and illustrator to at least an intermediate level. It's a real shame when you have ideas, but cannot execute them due to lack of software knowledge. But when it comes to the studio, you need to be able to use your hands, get physical with materials and blocking for programming/design, and really know how to sketch for communicative purposes.
If you're in love with art, understand that architecture is not art. Architecture is 10% art, 90% engineering/structure/everything practical. If you have the ability, look for internships or apprenticeships in the next year. Network and talk to as many architects as you can so you understand what the field is like rather than what school is like, because they are very different. Know that this is a very, very long career path.
Have fun! I'll be one of your GSI's this summer (=
lukie
Jun 17, 21 1:08 pm
Hi Samantha - really appreciate your honest feedback here! I'm super excited for [IN]ARCH, and one of the main reasons I'm taking part is to decide whether I definitely want to make this investment in my future. I'm feeling rather confident about it all though. Additionally, I'm definitely hoping to get my foot in the door at a firm after the summer to make some connections and gain a better understanding of what the field is like.
Also, I do love art, but I certainly understand it's only a small fraction of what makes up the study/practice of architecture. Just wanted to mention that to indicate I have some sort of basis for starting a portfolio. I've noticed some people on this forum can be quite critical, so just trying to cover my bases. :)
Hi there!
I'm preparing to apply for M.Arch I programs come 2022, and I'd greatly appreciate any advice from someone who's done the same/has any helpful insight.
A bit about me: I graduated from Boston College with a degree in Finance and Marketing. My CGPA was 3.30 - meh, I know, but I tended to get in the A range in all my arts/humanities/science classes - hopefully that will prove to be somewhat of a positive. My interest in architecture stems back to my early childhood, so I'm definitely not making this change on a whim. A number of events over the past few years have just pushed me to pursue my passions and not look back. I've also always had a knack for drawing and painting, and I love to create art in my free time.
Thus far, I've taken a couple needed prerequisite requirements. I'm also leaving my advertising job next month to take part in the Summer [IN]ARCH program at UCB. Hoping this will help me create some content for my portfolio and gain a good idea as to what a master's program might look like.
Although I feel I'm headed in the right direction, I could always use some extra guidance. Any advice is welcome!
I also took an intro to arch course and come from a non-arch background. I'm beginning my M.Arch I program this fall. My advice would be to really emphasize process and showcase your thinking and intention behind your portfolio works and design decisions, particularly the ones that will come from your summer program. Aesthetics and form is all nice to look at, but if that's all one shows it will fall short, as schools (rightly) expect some underlying logic and intention behind the work, be it utilitarian, social, cultural, etc. I also recommend treating the portfolio itself as an exercise in design, pay attention to white space, limiting use of text, etc. Good luck! Anything's possible if you work hard.
This is all really helpful. Thank you so much!
A friend of mine recommended I read Margaret Fletcher's "Constructing the Persuasive Portfolio". Not sure how useful the content will be given my lack of a design background, but I'm hoping it will become my good friend. Really looking forward to putting in all the hard work!
The INARCH program will help you decide whether the studio environment is something you want to immerse yourself in for 3 years as an M.Arch student. It'll also teach you a few different graphic programs (rhino, illustrator, indesign, and photoshop). It doesn't teach you that much about design, but it gives you a good idea of Berkeley's pedagogy.
If I were you, I'd learn how to use rhino and illustrator to at least an intermediate level. It's a real shame when you have ideas, but cannot execute them due to lack of software knowledge. But when it comes to the studio, you need to be able to use your hands, get physical with materials and blocking for programming/design, and really know how to sketch for communicative purposes.
If you're in love with art, understand that architecture is not art. Architecture is 10% art, 90% engineering/structure/everything practical. If you have the ability, look for internships or apprenticeships in the next year. Network and talk to as many architects as you can so you understand what the field is like rather than what school is like, because they are very different. Know that this is a very, very long career path.
Have fun! I'll be one of your GSI's this summer (=
Hi Samantha - really appreciate your honest feedback here! I'm super excited for [IN]ARCH, and one of the main reasons I'm taking part is to decide whether I definitely want to make this investment in my future. I'm feeling rather confident about it all though. Additionally, I'm definitely hoping to get my foot in the door at a firm after the summer to make some connections and gain a better understanding of what the field is like.
Also, I do love art, but I certainly understand it's only a small fraction of what makes up the study/practice of architecture. Just wanted to mention that to indicate I have some sort of basis for starting a portfolio. I've noticed some people on this forum can be quite critical, so just trying to cover my bases. :)