TIPS ON INITIAL ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIOS

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Portfolios, an important design compilation of your work through architecture school. There is no specific order or style you have to do a portfolio, as it does depend on one’s personality when composing it. A good time to start a design portfolio is when you at least have four semesters of studio (equivalent to 2 years of architecture school). This can help you apply early for internships, and can be presented when you apply for architecture scholarship(s).

1. YOUR STRONGEST WORK, SHOWCASED IN THE BEGINNING

The first two projects that you feel the most confident in should be in the first few pages of the portfolio.

CHARACTERS TO EVALUATE FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO
– STRENGTH IN ARCHITECTURE GRAPHICS (diagrams, ”money shot” renderings and photography shots) –  Is your project graphically strong? Remember portfolios are graphically dominant. No matter how a great  your concept is, a description to explain the project will not suffice. Making your portfolio strong graphically can capture the viewers attention, and would allow them to be more engaged one what’s next throughout your entire portfolio.

– STAY MINIMAL & LET YOUR WORK BREATHE
Meaning that you do not have too much information in your portfolio, such as photos with a lot of color or a ”collage” format. Let your portfolio have it’s moments, for example if you have a nice rendering put together yet there is a lot of color – either have the render on it’s own page, or have a full bleed (taking 2 pages side-by-side).

TIP: Portfolio reviewers, especially from larger firms might review your portfolio by just skimming through it. Large/”Well-known” firms would have a lot of applicants applying, especially for summer internships. So if you are interested in working in a large firm, be sure that you prepare for the audience that is going to review. 

2. BE SELECTIVE WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO WORK

Evaluate your portfolio work. Choose the work that you learned the most from, the project that you have the most information from, and the project you would be comfortable presenting in your portfolio.

When you get to you third or fourth year in architecture school – you will have more work to choose from and you will definitely have better projects. Remember to sharpen your skills for your graphics. Every school year is a chance to improve from the year before. 

3. SHOWCASE YOUR PROJECT PROCESS

Showing process work such as hand/digital sketches, diagrams, iteration models, etc. Are all a good way to show your progress. Scan your work and evaluate which sketches would best represent and fit in with the composition for your portfolio. 

TIP: 
You do not have to put all your process work in there – Be selective. Your portfolio should not be treated as a collage of photos. A portfolio should be well organized and easy to read through. Keep in mind the direction that the viewer is reading this – Left to Right ( unless it’s a country like Japan that reads the opposite direction). Naturally people would navigate through your portfolio left to right. 

4. TAKING & DISPLAYING HIGH QUALITY IMAGE

After a long studio semester, remember to always document your work – and do it well. You’re professor will ask you or sometimes they won’t for photos of your project for final grading. Documenting your project creates a good habit to do right after the semester has ended. The reason is because you may decide you want to include those photos in your portfolio – Maybe you want to blow up the image. Having a good camera or using a high quality render image is a simple way to make your portfolio have a professional look to it.

TIPS: WHEN TAKING MODEL PHOTOS
– Ask the Architecture School or a friend to borrow a Digital Single-Lens Camera (DSLR) camera for model. This will save a lot of money for you, especially when you do not have the budget to purchase or the time to learn how to use this expensive camera.

– Use a simple back drop to enhance your model. Preferably: Black, Gray, or White. 

– Take as many shots, and evaluate to your most favorable moments in your model. 

5.HIGHLIGHT OTHER SKILLS (EX: WOOD WORK, SCULPTURAL DESIGN, ETC.)

Showing work outside of the studio such as wood work, welding, or sculpture Though make sure you have good photos of your piece and show unique gestures or even details. Having this addition to your portfolio would give an added character. This goes to show that you can work with different medias beside the digital side. 

TIP:
 If you have included your work in a competition, it is worth to documenting the year and having a short explanation of your work. 

6. KEEP PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS TO A MINIMUM

As mentioned again and again – portfolios are visually dominated. So keep the descriptions simple and straight to the point. You work should be speaking for itself, though an acceptable way to really explain the important components of your project is through your diagram callouts. If you do get chosen for an interview and the interviewer is curious about the project – that’s when you have the chance to shine and explain the character of your project. 

TIP:
Remember review your portfolio ahead of time, if you are called in for an interview. This is a good way to give you time, and really reflect on your projects. 

CONCLUDING TIP: EDIT & UPDATE

Remember to update your portfolio every year. You will have more projects and will be able to narrow down the one’s you want in your portfolio. So make sure to do well in your studio and classes – so it will be worth documenting! You got this and Good Luck! 
                                                                                                                                     With Care,
                                                                                                                                      Vheonix – Introvert Designer

Hi! I'm Vheonix

The intent for this blog is to guide, inspire, & achieve as aspiring designers. I am an introverted individual in a field that involves social & interpersonal skills. Though, I want you to gain the confidence you need to succeed as a designer. 

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