Archinect
Matthew McNicholas

Matthew McNicholas

San Francisco, CA, US

 

About 

I go by the name of Matthew McNicholas. The labyrinth maze of problem solving has always appealed to me. In its nature, problem solving has been how we discover new innovations, systems, as well as a way to trigger our most important asset known to humankind; the imagination. I've always believed that the imagination developed through experiences of either of hardships or joyous inspirations have proven the drive for most to all artistic visions. These creations ultimately become our most beauteous technological advances.

 

Technology and its inherent imagination, two topics combined, become one of the leading pillars for what design is to me. The game of chess has been an eye opener regarding my other thoughts with design. Psychology, the way people play their hand, the way people play their game. Design has been what the general public take most for granted. The subconscious has been the double edged sword of people's mind when design is involved. On one hand  it's designs most powerful tools by creating an ease of flow, calming, function, and/or sense. On the other hand, unless it's aesthetically glorious, it's overlooked, unappreciated, and design as a career becomes regarded as but the icing of a cake; rather design is the whole cake including the icing.

 

I regarded my college career as an oasis away from the real world to develop my opinions,  motivation and skills. Most of my time since my high school education, I've spent being a jack of all trades, my interests bleed beyond innovation of the new world. The diverse amount of interests no matter the current skill level becomes incorporated within my work, ultimately leading to a fresh idea that is my final products. I've never been a guy that followed trends or the norm and this in time has become something I've deeply valued about myself.

 

I'm a graduate of Sage College of Albany's interior design program, 2012. The skill I primarily focus on besides the core toolset of a designer would be the concept of communication. I personally believe that with a strong communicational presentation techniques, your ideas become a reality within your peers as well as clients minds, an ultimate persuasion. Luckily my outside interests also compliment this technique which why I spend most of my free time along side three dimension animation programs such as 3Ds Max, Rhino, and  Inventor fusion. Thank you for taking the time to read this bio and I hope you have or will enjoy my portfolio pieces and case studies.

Employment 

Strunk Archtiecture, Brant Beach, NJ, US, Project Manager

Project Manager/Draftsman/Designer/Client Inquiry/Structural Surveying/3d Design
Ref: (609) 494-3355, mike@strunkarchitecture.com - Brant Beach, NJ

Dec 2012 - Mar 2014
 

Foresight Architects, Schenectady, NY, Intern

-Site Analysis: Measurements, Evaluation, Program Compiling
-Design: Cad Drafting, Space Planning, Rendering, Material Specification

Jan 2012 - May 2012
 

Sage College of Albany, Albany, New York, Tutor for Autodesk, Adobe, and Presentation Techniques

-AutoCAD Peer Support and Individual Study

Jan 2009 - May 2012
 

Education 

Andersen Window Exp., Stillwater - MS, Credits

Jun 2013 - current
 

Sage College of Albany, Albany, NY, US, Bachelors, Interior Deisgn

SKILLS

- AutoCAD 2007-12, Revit Architecture, 3dMax -Adobe Masters Suite CS5.5
- Building Codes and Systems, Space Planning -Rhino, Mudbox, Maya, Sketchup
- Site Analysis & Programming -Manual Drafting
- Windows XP, Vista, 7 & Snow Leopard X -Perspective Drawing
- Microsoft Office & iWork Suite -Adapting & Problem Solving

RELEVANT
CLASSWORK

-Materials, Finishes and Textiles -Color and Lighting for Design
-Lighting Design -Psychological and Color Studies
-Drafting I and II -Retail Design
-Presentation & Rendering -Sketching
-Construction Fundamentals -Art & Architectural History
-Advanced Perspective Drawing -Residential, Contract, & Office Design
-Professional Practices & Specs -Thesis: Semiotic & Spatial Psychology

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2012 BFA Exhibition
“Thinking Inside the Box" Gallery Show
PAVE Student Competition - Honorable Mention
Sage Vernacular 2010

Nov 2009 - May 2012
 

Areas of Specialization