<p>I know that alot of undergraduate programs require you to submit a portfolio. Only thing is I have no freaking clue of what's actually supposed to be in it. They say freehand drawings, sculptures, art photography, paintings stuff like that. </p>
<p>Do these have to be related to architecture or just to show that you're artistic. In which case what do I if I'm not artistic at all?</p>
<p>A portfolio includes what you think is your best work; a good portfolio would include a variety of mediums, sketches and paintings, models, 2D 3D artwork, photography, still lifes and personal pieces…basically ANYTHING that you think is your best. </p>
<p>People have told me that for architecture, they like to see pieces that show that you can draw, meaning sketches, graphite pieces, etc. </p>
<p>What schools are you applying to? A lot of schools have optional portfolios.</p>
<p>JB23, what do you mean when you say that you’re not artistic at all? Then, what is it about architecture that interests you?</p>
<p>Regarding the portfolio, some schools don’t require one: Penn State, Tulane and Virginia Tech being some the high profile ones. Other schools just want to see what kind of artistic eye you have: you could have a portfolio of photos of excellent photos. Some schools want a portfolio that has a drawing emphasis: Cornell is famous for that one.</p>
<p>everything BUT computer drafting. even for architecture, you can go through the entire portfolio without any pictures of a building</p>
<p>The schools that I’m applying to that I know for sure require a portfolio off the top of my head are University of Miami and, like someone mentioned, Cornell. </p>
<p>What I meant by “I’m not artistic at all” is that I can’t draw to save my live. Which as I just discovered could be quite a problem if I’m applying to Cornell.
And pageturner, you mean to say that I can have pictures of other pictures that aren’t mine? Or did I just read that completely wrong.</p>
<p>i think pt just meant that you can have a photography focused portfolio. cornell does emphasize drawing and painting (more “studio art” type stuff)</p>
<p>if you are still confused abotu what to include, look at arch schools that ask for specific things to help give you an idea (i know RISD has a couple required pieces). if you have time, visit the architecture programs and ask the registrar’s office if you can have a peek at some past portfolios</p>
<p>Some light reading I procured from a UBC arch admiss officer, which really helps break down the portfolio…</p>
<p>Lets oversimplify architecture in two major components, say the in-tray and the out-tray for want of better terms. The seeing, understanding, questioning, analysing, experiencing side of the field is where it all starts, the in-tray. The out-tray is the product of the design or creative process and that is usually what is evident from the material referred to above. The important thing needed to establish your attitude towards the study of architecture is your in-tray side. What matters to you that relates in some way to your desire to engage with the shaping of the physical environment? Is it just for the money or what else can I do with is Fine Arts degree and 90% in physics? Probably not, but we cant tell from the beautiful watercolour and the physics mark. Of course your statement of intent will tell us what you are thinking but far more effectively your portfolio can show who you are. The important thing here is what is the subject of the water colour and why did you do it, why is it in the portfolio and how does it contribute to your overall attitude towards the world you find yourself in. If it is skillfully represented, so much the better but there is so much more potential than that. You could include some of your photography for example. We dont care too much about any given photo but more what it says about the person looking through the viewfinder when the shutter released. Why did they take the photo, why did they include it in this body of work, what does it say about this persons relationship with ideas architects consider important? For instance what can we tell from a photo of, say, the Eiffel Tower? The person has been to Paris. Thats about it. What about a photo of the way a leg of the Eiffel tower meets the ground? Now there are possibilities. Are the pieces bolted or riveted together? How many coats of paint have been applied and what about the attitude of Paris City Hall in terms of maintenance? Is there anything mediating between the steel of the tower and the ground, a plinth you can sit on say or do you have to lean against the structure? Is there anyone sitting or leaning? What kind of ground is there anyways? Smooth, rough, dark, light, worn cobble stones, new granite pavers or asphalt? Any litter, graffiti, grass growing in a crack, struggling to survive? Etc? Many biographical statements declare that the applicant has travelled and that is good for the study of architecture. True, but when there is nothing in the portfolio that sheds any insight on the contribution the travel made to that persons relationship to architectural ideas they would be better off not mentioning the travel in the first place. If youve been to China and dont have anything to share about the rows of parked bicycles, crowded streets, flat barbequed ducks, doors, windows, roofs, stairs, laundry, ancient pagodas and their intricate parts, spaces between buildings and little old people raking leaves then surely you only think you want to study architecture.</p>
<pre><code> Aside from exploring your in-tray potential you should include any of your creative or constructed works that are outside your formal education. That could include music, literature, furniture, craft, construction or anything that has a creative component even though it may not relate directly to architecture. For example, if you worked one summer in the Arctic and made a kayak out of whale bone and walrus hide we want to see a picture of the kayak. A recent portfolio sent in by an applicant who spent a summer fighting a major forest fire in British Columbia included a series of photos that conveyed drama, heat, exhaustion, danger, commitment, broken dreams, fruitless effort and bravery all on two pages. How fighting forest fires relates to architecture is totally dependent on how you look at fighting forest fires and how you communicate that.
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<p>That’s right, CUAmbassador11. Thanks for the clarification. I wrote that wrong…</p>
<p>JB23 - if you cannot draw, I’m not sure if Arch is the right field for you. If you are interested in building things, you may want to look into engineering (for e.g civil engg).</p>
<p>^^Maybe, but there are quite a few architectures colleges that believe that teaching drawing is their job, since there are many high schools out there that don’t teach drawing.</p>
<p>In my experience I would say that at least 8 out of 10 graduates from architecture schools can’t draw. They can draft and render, but the ability to pick up a pen a just be able to sketch out an idea is a rare talent. The computer has made the situation even worse. So don’t panic if you cannot draw just put work in the portfolio that shows you have a good sense of composition and a good eye.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>JB23 - I made the mistake of only having two freehand drawings in my portfolio for cornell. Cornell puts a lot of weight on your drawing pieces (I called in to find out what was wrong with my portfolio), and they need a lot of excellent freehand drawing pieces.</p>
<p>So if you want to get into cornell, you should start practicing your drawing every day. It’s what i’ve been doing since I got shot down ED, since a lot of my other schools require portfolios, and my freehand drawing has improved drastically.</p>