Preparing an architectural portfolio – Review & Critique by Ar.Sujith.G.S

Presenting all aspiring young architects and student architects with a unique opportunity to get your portfolios reviewed by a practising architect!

 I cannot stress the importance of a good professional portfolio in today's highly competitive architectural field. Be it for getting internships in offices or for landing that first job, your portfolio is your one and only tool!

There are so many people out there that it is important to differentiate yourself, to get that cutting edge. And, from the innumerable portfolios that I receive, it is evident that often most students or young architects are not clear enough on how to prepare a good architectural portfolio. A lot of people think that splashing a lot of graphics and renderings will land you that job opportunity or that coveted internship position. However, a portfolio is much more than that.

PREPARATION OF AN ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

I have been receiving a lot of requests from students for details on HOW TO PREPARE A GOOD ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO. 

Taking this into consideration, I have compiled a detailed booklet on how to create a great portfolio, which will guide you through the detailed process, including identification of materials, ideal layouts, graphics and rendering styles, text placements, photographing your models....an exhaustive list which will guide you step by step.

You can now avail this great resource for creating your best portfolio, which is essential in this highly competitive age - either to get into good firms for internships, applying for your masters or for getting that coveted job.

Get full access to 'How to prepare an Architecture Portfolio' !!!

So go ahead and mail me at ar.sujithgs@gmail.com to order today! 

Ar.Sujith.G.S Profile -

SUJITH.G.S is an Indian born architect who is passionate about design, writing, blogging and architectural photography. He began his professional journey as an architect in Larsen & Toubro where he worked for five years on a wide range of projects. Subsequently, he joined ‘Stapati’, where he has been working as a senior architect, handling some of the large-scale projects in the firm. He is a regular contributor to various architectural publications and has been a guest jury member for several architecture schools in India. He shares his perspectives on architecture and design through his blog, ‘Architecture Student’s Corner’.

A Sample page from the booklet 'Preparing an architectural portfolio - Dos and dont's'

To learn more, check out ‘Preparing an architecture portfolio - Dos and don't's - by Ar.Sujith.G.S’

http://arkistudentscorner.blogspot.in/2015/07/preparing-architecture-portfolio-dos.html

WAF announces Festival Theme for 2015

50/50 – looking back, looking forward

This year the WAF seminar and keynote programme is inspired by Singapore's 50th anniversary as an independent country which it is celebrating in 2015. We are taking this opportunity to think globally about how architecture and urbanism have changed during that period, how predictions have been fulfilled or denied, and how we think conditions may change or stay the same over the 50 years to come.

The Bangalore workshop 2015

There is this very interesting workshop which is going to be held in Bangalore. Here is a brief synopsis as elucidated by Ar.Bijoy Ramachandran - 

'The Vimal Jain Foundation and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore are organising a 5 day workshop from August 11th to 15th, 2015.

The workshop is being conducted by Richard Leplastrier and Peter Stutchbury, both accomplished teachers, practitioners and Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal recipients. Both of them have also been involved in the Glenn Murcutt MasterClass (http://www.ozetecture.org/masterclass/glenn-murcutt-master-class/) since its inception in 2000. Dr. B.V. Doshi will join the Workshop on the last two days for the final reviews and public lectures.

For the 2015 workshop, participants will be invited to study the edges of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and suggest ways in which to negotiate the chaotic urban environment on the street with the serene quality of the campus. The aim is to attempt a bridge both physically (through architectural and programmatic ideas) and metaphorically between these two contrasting conditions. Though known internationally as a premier academic institution, IIMB is isolated from its immediate context and offers no opportunity for a dialogue. It is the hope that through the workshop one begins to find a way to have the Institute engage with the city and vice versa. This also offers a real opportunity to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and commercialism - how these edges are treated will hopefully offer clues for how ‘quality’ and public space could find its way back into our streetscapes.

The workshop is open to students and practitioners.

Application forms and portfolios are due on the 17th of July (email to vimaljainfoundation@gmail.com)

Richard is the genuine article - a sage of our time. If not the workshop you must try and come for the lectures on the 16th.'

Preparing an architecture portfolio - Dos and don't's - by Sujith.G.S

 As a practicing architect, I come across a relatively large number of portfolios for internship in our office, as well as those applying for job opportunities. Most of these portfolios are pretty average and poorly crafted, even though the quality of design is pretty good. That either means that a) students do not pay enough attention, or b) students do not have a good idea of how to prepare a good portfolio. It is in this context that I thought I’d share some points to help students with their architecture portfolio preparation

A portfolio should reflect the architectural and aesthetic sensibilities of the student. It is a great way of communicating what you believe in, in highlighting your strengths and skills. That being said, an architectural portfolio is a professional document and one must make every effort to keep it as professional as possible, while highlighting your creative side.

Keep your portfolio neat and simple.  I can't stress that enough. Most of the designers appreciate portfolios that are clean, which can clearly communicate your design and creative works. You can always take inspiration from the simple clear design aesthetics of Apple. It was Steve Job's single minded pursuit for perfection which has thrown out all the unnecessary frills and helped evolved some of the most beautiful gadgets.  An architectural portfolio should also be similar. The idea is not to create an overloaded graphical presentation, but one which would highlight your design work and would communicate it in a clear legible manner.

Today there is a plethora of presentation and graphical softwares which can create awe inspiring images. But keep in mind that ultimately it is not the fancy graphics that will have to be the highlight of your architecture portfolio. But always keep in mind that it is always a design portfolio and that design must take precedent.

Please avoid unnecessary personal details and 'cool' personal photographs. If you must add your picture, please keep it relatively straightforward.

Most of the portfolios that I get include ‘photography’ as one of the skill sets. Today, with the plethora of good quality cameras and editing softwares, almost everyone is an amateur or semi-professional photographer. Thus unless you really are passionate about photography and have got some good photographs, it is always best to avoid adding random clicks as your photography work.

As an architect, one is expected to be able to communicate your ideas through sketches and drawings. It is a skill that most of the architects look for in students. That being said, not everyone can effectively communicate through good sketches. If sketching is not your cup of tea, I would advise that you do not forcefully include poor sketches just for the sake of adding it, but highlight other skill sets like graphic abilities. Always try to include as much hand drawn content as possible in your portfolio and while doing so, ensures that the sketches are scanned properly in good resolution (300 dpi always) and that the lines are clear.

Pay attention to your fonts and text. Today, there are plenty of fonts which can be used to create eye catching content in your portfolio. Use fonts judiciously to create an order.

Be extremely careful in all the content that you include. All the text must be checked for grammatical mistakes. Always, and I mean always, use spell-check on all your content in your portfolio. It is not at all acceptable to have basic spelling mistakes in your portfolio. It would mean that you are not professional enough in your work.

Writing quality content is again another challenge for any architectural student. Add only that text which you feel is absolutely essential. Avoid giving too elaborate write-ups explaining your designs and ideas. Most of the architects are not going to ever read through the whole text. So, keep your writing to the minimum and let your drawings do the talking. And always ensure that only relevant and grammatically correct content is included. If on the other hand you are good at writing, let it come through in minimal sentences which would capture the essence of your design.

Finally, don't be afraid of white spaces! You do not need to crowd your whole layout, cramming tons of stuff in it. Make white spaces work in your favour by their judicious use. However, this has to be handled carefully, as too much white can lead to a blank look. So use your aesthetic sense and decide the optimum amount of content vs white space.

I've created a detailed booklet on how to go about creating your Architecture Portfolio, covering all the other areas to be given thought to.. There is detailed coverage on each aspect of your portfolio, with a lot of tips to help you create that perfect portfolio.

Order your e-copy of How to prepare an Archietcture Portfolio today at just Rs.250!!! And what's best, it will cost you  than  good meal in a restaurant. So go ahead, don't let this opportunity pass by

Write to ar.sujithgs@gmail.com NOW!

A few examples of interesting portfolios -

http://issuu.com/cheli825/docs/portfolio_lopez_a1

This is a  good example of a well crafted portfolio. Most of the points mentioned above are reflected in this one


http://issuu.com/b.a.maranda/docs/portfoli

FOR A DETAILED BOOKLET ON 'HOW TO PREPARE YOUR ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO', EMAIL ME AT ar.sujithgs@gmail.com. 

 Don't miss this wonderful opportunity!

A sample page from the booklet!