meganstruble asked: Do you know of any good websites or examples of ways to bind portfolios? and what do you think looks and works the best?
Here’s one that I bookmarked:
Longstitch Bookbinding Tutorial for a Leather Journal - I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks good.
Here’s one that I did myself:
You can see more photos here. I had spare wood and nuts and bolts lying around (as well as some spare time which is quite a miracle, on hindsight) so I bound it like so.
Usually we don’t have much time rushing for submissions and final critique, so the best way is to get your printed out pages, stick them in glue (the one that you use for making models, or use a glue gun which is quick and less messy) then take another piece of paper to cover up the glue bound edge.
jackkkuuu-san asked: Hey! A friend of mine told m that architecture is getting more competitive and it requires students with a lot of work experience in order to be chosen when it comes to job interviews etc. I'm only finishing my last year of high school, and hopefully starting architecture at monash next year. The question is, when is it okay to get work experience? During the holidays, parallel with uni? And if so, how can I get it? I'm not sure as an inexperience student at the time.
You could start doing internships right after high school, just before you start uni. That’s also great way to get a head start to archi school, in addition to bulking up your CV. During your uni holidays is also a good time to get work experience.
If you have friends or relatives in architecture firms, that will be very helpful in getting a place, but otherwise the best thing to do is to email archi firms expressing your desire for an internship, and attaching your CV as well. Good luck!
Anonymous asked: Hi I am interested in doing NUS architecture and so I put it as my first choice. I didn't really get stellar grades I have 71.25 points, and im not even sure whether i can get called for the selection test at least. so from now what should i do to increase my chances of getting offered the course if i ever get called for the selection test?? I have no art background btw and i tried to borrow some architecture books from the public library but sadly there are none
I think you might have been looking at the wrong section in the library, because there are definitely architecture books in there. Maybe try the larger branches, like the one at Bugis. Or you could go round the corner to Bras Besah and check out Basheer books - they have lots of architecture-related books. Kinokuniya also has a sizable collection. Sadly Page One has closed, otherwise they used to have a great collection of archi books.
The aptitude test is looking at your ability to convey your ideas into architectural spatial forms through modeling - it is good that you thought about looking into books because that’s a good way to familiarise yourself with some architectural ideas, just to get through the aptitude test.
Thanks for all your responses! Thoroughly cheered me up. Here are the responses that stood out for me:
and the most popular response is:
Several of you have dropped this question in our inbox lately, together with other common questions like ‘Which school do you come from?’, ‘What books should I read?’. I will be setting up an FAQ page so y’all don’t have to sit through the same ol’ questions and me doling out advice like a wise sage with a magical gift of knowledge and wisdom.
The Answer:
It really depends on which college/university you apply to. For our university, we sat for an aptitude test, where we had to make a simple model and do a drawing. Some of us also had to go for an interview.
Whether or not your college that you’re applying to requires you to do the same things, it would be helpful to research on architects and their work. By this I don’t mean scrolling through tumblr or archdaily, but really looking at the works of architects like Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano etc; and finding a style and form that you like.
This will give you a general idea of architecture, and in the event that you have to sit for an interview, you would be able to show the tutor that you have a genuine interest.
Of course your grades will help a great deal with getting into college. So study hard and concentrate on your studies! Which brings me to my next point - don’t worry so much about what you have to learn before even applying to architecture. You will be able to learn everything in good time, and it’s the process of learning that makes you a better architect, not the incredible head-start you have over your fellow schoolmates.
Also I feel that it is important for you to talk to a friend or a relative that is or has been in architecture school, so that you know if you’re making the right decision.
yetanotherunoriginalteen asked: I am currently in summer holidays before my last year of High School. I have a lot of freedom with my design course next year, within the brief and a few standards I have to submit (like freehand sketching). What skills should I try and develop while I have the opportunity?
Hi there! I’m not sure if your school requires you to use digital design programmes yet, but you would have to eventually, so it’s good to teach yourself how to use some programmes like AutoCAD and Photoshop. There are loads of tutorials on youtube, as well as on the Autodesk website itself.
You should also read at least one book, design-related or not. Hope this helps! Happy holidays :)
Anonymous asked: Holidays have started and i feel so..empty. What should i do?
Empty?? You foolish anon! Here’s a list of things for you to do:
Go inhale helium and talk to yourself in the mirror
Learn to play a new instrument - the ukulele is a great way to annoy your studio mates at 3 am. ‘Heeeey juude’
Go visit abandoned buildings in your area and take creepy photos
Go for a vacation and marvel at architecture so that you can brag that you’ve been in a Le Corbusier building.
Play the sims for an entire day without sleep, just building house after house.
Go for a concert.
Have your own concert.
Assume a different persona for two weeks.
Read ulysses by James Joyce
Build a blanket fort
OR; as one of our tutors suggested, you could continue designing and building models. As if the holidays never arrived.
What do y’all do during the holidays? Come on in and share!
I think it’s important to emphasize this point every now and then:
Design studio is not about competing with your peers.
It’s about sharing and learning from each other - ‘hiding’ your scheme isn’t going to help anyone.
