Would anyone be willing to review my portfolio? I’m a masters student looking for work for my coop, and feel like I really need a different set of eyes on this
I’m trying to show a diversity of projects, rather than just school project, after school project, after school project, if that makes sense. So I have my two largest, “best” school projects, then another project (the pavilion thing) that in terms of design is very basic, but illustrates me hobby in urban activism (plus, it is technically something I designed that we then built. Employers would appreciate that, right?) then a competition (that I didn’t win) showing my interest in housing and mixed use design, and then work I did in my last (only) architecture job. Is this a good collection? Or should I omit maybe the third project and instead just include another school project?
I’m using this to apply to both local firms (in the city where the 3rd project was done) and international firms in Europe (hoping my portfolio is good enough for that.)
also any suggestions on design would be appreciated.
axonapoplectic
Oct 21, 24 4:08 pm
you have really good graphic skills and I think that would get your foot in the door of a lot of offices
As for looking for a job - some offices are looking for people with a propensity toward technical detailing skills - they’re looking for someone with an eye for and interest in detail and tectonics. Others are looking for someone who thinks holistically - who has an interest in systems and broader ideas. My experience people in this field usually fall into one or the other category. Very rarely do you meet someone who can do both well.
with that said - I’m struggling a little to get a sense of which way you lean. I feel like you’re more detail-orientated since what you present is more refined and there isn’t much evidence of big picture thinking. I think this is ok, but I would definitely lean into your strengths if you feel that that is the direction you want your career to head. If my assumption is correct, if you have some work from a building systems class that might be good to show.
sameolddoctor
Oct 21, 24 8:59 pm
Your portfolio and graphic skills are quite nice and you would be an asset to most offices.
However, an honest criticism of your work is that it is maybe a little too "safe" for student work? It would be interesting to see more explorations, whether they be for competition projects or conceptual sketches etc. That may make your portfolio a bit more expansive.
CallMeCatbread
Oct 22, 24 4:59 am
I would definitely agree with that. It's something I've been thinking about recently. I'd like to start branching out a bit more and doing more conceptual work. But also it's kind of a little late for that. Once I'm done this work term I'm starting thesis which will be my last school project. I know theses are generally supposed to be a little more "out there" but most of my ideas right now are also pretty grounded in reality (which I guess isn't a bad thing, but I'm maybe not flexing my creative conceptual muscles as much as I should).
sameolddoctor
Oct 22, 24 1:50 pm
Perhaps take part in some competitions, if only to stretch your imagination (and get portfolio content)?\
CallMeCatbread
Oct 22, 24 2:18 pm
Yeah I think that's definitely a good idea. I'll have to make time for that.
reallynotmyname
Oct 22, 24 2:32 pm
And you don't have to do completions alone. It can be a nice way to collaborate with classmates or others in your network whose work you admire. A group effort can make the amount of work more manageable and keep everyone on track. I would totally pair you with some people I know that have great concept ideas but are weak in graphics and building construction.
CallMeCatbread
Oct 22, 24 4:22 pm
Yeah I know, the 4th project in my portfolio is a competition I did with a classmate. Unfortunately the timeline was ridiculously short in the middle of one of the most insane semesters of my academic career so we expedited the crap out of our conceptual design to get to work on preparing for the submission.
sameolddoctor
Oct 22, 24 5:45 pm
Yes, and collaborative effort looks great (if mentioned and attributed properly) on the resume too, as 99% of our daily work is a collaborative effort either with colleagues or external parties.
reallynotmyname
Oct 22, 24 12:15 pm
This is a really good pre-employment portfolio! The level of development in the projects and the graphic quality blows the wheels off of what I usually see from students in our part of the USA. It's ok for the OP not to be super artsy-thinky. The USA Ivy League is already full of people doing theoretical stuff who are rich and connected enough to never really have to worry about jobs and career.
bowling_ball
Oct 22, 24 6:40 pm
I'm kinda of enjoying seeing the comments from non-Canadians here. This is very typical of the level of portfolio we (Canadian firms) receive from M.Arch students. To be clear, it's a good portfolio that should get your foot in the door. I don't want to talk shit but 99% of portfolios we receive from outside of Canada are just terrible. This one should get you noticed.
I'm honestly not sure that you should spend too much more time on it. It sounds like you haven't sent it out - why not just send as-is and ask for feedback from the people doing the hiring? I think you'd be surprised at what doors open when you have a good portfolio. Good luck.
sameolddoctor
Oct 22, 24 7:00 pm
As I mentioned, its an amazing portfolio but could do better showing more creative exploration. Also, why would one want to restrict themselves to one region or country?
bowling_ball
Oct 22, 24 10:34 pm
FWIW sod, I agree. It may indeed benefit from more in-depth exploration - but what if they get a good reaction from this one? Wouldn't that extra work just be wasted effort then, assuming our #1 priority is to get a job? Not discouraging it either, just being realistic. If they don't get any responses, then they've got to start looking at upgrading the portfolio, among other possibilities.
bowling_ball
Oct 22, 24 10:35 pm
Oh and yeah. Don't restrict yourself to geography if that's an option for you. I've benefited from moving several times, though never internationally
lacalr
Oct 23, 24 10:36 am
I think the work is good but the layout feels a little scattered. I would establish zones and datums that are more or less consistent across all pages, the title pages could have a layout/structure different from the rest but still the same as eachother. Then I would stick to these confinements throughout the entire portfolio. On some pages the images extend further/less into the margins than others, the text is located in different places, sometimes overlayed on white blocks. Once again I think the work is good, but a well done layout could help separate you from others. We are not graphic designers (at least i'm not) but we should still be able to layout and compose a balanced sheet.
Would anyone be willing to review my portfolio? I’m a masters student looking for work for my coop, and feel like I really need a different set of eyes on this
https://issuu.com/davisnoah/docs/noah_davis_-_portfolio
I’m trying to show a diversity of projects, rather than just school project, after school project, after school project, if that makes sense. So I have my two largest, “best” school projects, then another project (the pavilion thing) that in terms of design is very basic, but illustrates me hobby in urban activism (plus, it is technically something I designed that we then built. Employers would appreciate that, right?) then a competition (that I didn’t win) showing my interest in housing and mixed use design, and then work I did in my last (only) architecture job. Is this a good collection? Or should I omit maybe the third project and instead just include another school project?
I’m using this to apply to both local firms (in the city where the 3rd project was done) and international firms in Europe (hoping my portfolio is good enough for that.)
also any suggestions on design would be appreciated.
you have really good graphic skills and I think that would get your foot in the door of a lot of offices
As for looking for a job - some offices are looking for people with a propensity toward technical detailing skills - they’re looking for someone with an eye for and interest in detail and tectonics. Others are looking for someone who thinks holistically - who has an interest in systems and broader ideas. My experience people in this field usually fall into one or the other category. Very rarely do you meet someone who can do both well.
with that said - I’m struggling a little to get a sense of which way you lean. I feel like you’re more detail-orientated since what you present is more refined and there isn’t much evidence of big picture thinking. I think this is ok, but I would definitely lean into your strengths if you feel that that is the direction you want your career to head. If my assumption is correct, if you have some work from a building systems class that might be good to show.
Your portfolio and graphic skills are quite nice and you would be an asset to most offices.
However, an honest criticism of your work is that it is maybe a little too "safe" for student work? It would be interesting to see more explorations, whether they be for competition projects or conceptual sketches etc. That may make your portfolio a bit more expansive.
I would definitely agree with that. It's something I've been thinking about recently. I'd like to start branching out a bit more and doing more conceptual work. But also it's kind of a little late for that. Once I'm done this work term I'm starting thesis which will be my last school project. I know theses are generally supposed to be a little more "out there" but most of my ideas right now are also pretty grounded in reality (which I guess isn't a bad thing, but I'm maybe not flexing my creative conceptual muscles as much as I should).
Perhaps take part in some competitions, if only to stretch your imagination (and get portfolio content)?\
Yeah I think that's definitely a good idea. I'll have to make time for that.
And you don't have to do completions alone. It can be a nice way to collaborate with classmates or others in your network whose work you admire. A group effort can make the amount of work more manageable and keep everyone on track. I would totally pair you with some people I know that have great concept ideas but are weak in graphics and building construction.
Yeah I know, the 4th project in my portfolio is a competition I did with a classmate. Unfortunately the timeline was ridiculously short in the middle of one of the most insane semesters of my academic career so we expedited the crap out of our conceptual design to get to work on preparing for the submission.
Yes, and collaborative effort looks great (if mentioned and attributed properly) on the resume too, as 99% of our daily work is a collaborative effort either with colleagues or external parties.
This is a really good pre-employment portfolio! The level of development in the projects and the graphic quality blows the wheels off of what I usually see from students in our part of the USA. It's ok for the OP not to be super artsy-thinky. The USA Ivy League is already full of people doing theoretical stuff who are rich and connected enough to never really have to worry about jobs and career.
I'm kinda of enjoying seeing the comments from non-Canadians here. This is very typical of the level of portfolio we (Canadian firms) receive from M.Arch students. To be clear, it's a good portfolio that should get your foot in the door. I don't want to talk shit but 99% of portfolios we receive from outside of Canada are just terrible. This one should get you noticed.
I'm honestly not sure that you should spend too much more time on it. It sounds like you haven't sent it out - why not just send as-is and ask for feedback from the people doing the hiring? I think you'd be surprised at what doors open when you have a good portfolio. Good luck.
As I mentioned, its an amazing portfolio but could do better showing more creative exploration. Also, why would one want to restrict themselves to one region or country?
FWIW sod, I agree. It may indeed benefit from more in-depth exploration - but what if they get a good reaction from this one? Wouldn't that extra work just be wasted effort then, assuming our #1 priority is to get a job? Not discouraging it either, just being realistic. If they don't get any responses, then they've got to start looking at upgrading the portfolio, among other possibilities.
Oh and yeah. Don't restrict yourself to geography if that's an option for you. I've benefited from moving several times, though never internationally
I think the work is good but the layout feels a little scattered. I would establish zones and datums that are more or less consistent across all pages, the title pages could have a layout/structure different from the rest but still the same as eachother. Then I would stick to these confinements throughout the entire portfolio. On some pages the images extend further/less into the margins than others, the text is located in different places, sometimes overlayed on white blocks. Once again I think the work is good, but a well done layout could help separate you from others. We are not graphic designers (at least i'm not) but we should still be able to layout and compose a balanced sheet.