<p>A lot of people say oh, you dont have to know how to draw to become an architect.
If that was true, then why do most good colleges: Syracuse, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, etc all require portfolio with art?</p>
<p>I am saying this because I want to be an architect, but unfortunantly I was not blessed with the talent to draw :(</p>
<p>a lot of design programs want you to be able to draw, just becuase it would be easier to pick up on different drawing techniques. schools like virginia tech and penn state, still amazing 5 year programs, do not require a portfolio. maybe look into those? what kind of school are you looking for? a more technical school usually doesnt require portfolios, whereas a design oriented school will.</p>
<p>Auburn does not require a portfolio. The do have a seperate Q/A sheet which has some sketching requirements - this is sent later in year to those that have qualifying stats (GPA/SAT/AP credits). These are reviewed and 30 are chosen for the Freshman Foundation Unit. The others not chosen or did not qualify to apply for Foundation Unit go Freshman year, have to maintain a certain GPA and take core classes. They then enter the Summer Design Sequence after Freshman year. Of those 100-130 - 30 are eventually selected (after projects etc) to move on in the program with the ones that completed Foundation Unit.
Our child is in Foundation Unit this year and said without AP Studio Art experience or a strong art background it would be VERY,VERY difficult to get through the beginning. The program begins with all conceptual work and no drafting. They learn about spacial awareness, rhythm and how you perceive people - all elements which are essential to becoming an architect.</p>
<p>RPI DOES require a portfolio, but does not require that drawing be part of it. </p>
<p>They ARE looking for an artistic, creative sensibility. They do NOT require skilled drawing as a prerequisite. </p>
<p>If you are interested in buildings, but have NO artistic sensibility, perhaps you should consider structural engineering?</p>
<p>Yeah but I was just looking for a great school for architecture like the colleges that I just named</p>
<p>Wait, Brooklynborndad I am interested in architecture because I get to design buildings. I am not interested in the stuctural engineering; they dont get to design the outside & they dont deal with colors, etc like architects.</p>
<p>I just think that there is a lot of technology like Google Sketchup that you could use instead of drawing…but a lot of the schools like I named above all require you to be an artist…its not fair for the people like me that love architecture, but is not an artist. I know how to express my ideas, but a person that is an artist would get chosen before me you know? And I think that that is unfair :-/</p>
<p>CARRiBeaN:</p>
<p>You don’t need to be a hugely talented artist to be an architect, or even to get into school. But you do need to be able to show that you are able to convert three dimensions into two and two dimensions into three. This is what colleges are looking for when they ask for free-hand drawings from life. They don’t have to be fabulous, but they do need to be there.</p>
<p>And, as an architect, you do need to be able to make quick free-hand sketches to illustrate your ideas to your co-workers, to contractors in the field, and to clients.</p>
<p>That being said, there is more than one way to illustrate your ability to think three-dimensionally. I got into (and graduated from) a top-5 architecture school with almost no drawings in my portfolio. I do happen to be an accomplished seamstress, though. With my sewing projects, I was able to show that I could convert an idea from a two-dimensional sketch into a three-dimensional garment…same idea as architecture.</p>
<p>Ohh ok that makes so much sense Archmom!
Yeah i am starting to practice my sketching now</p>
<p>Drawing is extremely essential, I think, for two main reasons.
<p>So do you think that I should still try to consider architecture even thought I can’t really draw? I mean I think that I draw alright, but like would someone get chosen before me just because they draw better?</p>
<p>They will in programs that require portfolios, obviously. But otherwise, no, it’s your passion that matters which hopefully will show in your application.</p>
<p>You should pursue architecture if you are certain you want to do it! Although you may not have talent in art, architectural drawing and model craftsmanship are things you can learn through experience. In fact, that’s why you’re going to college anyway. Good lucks and don’t give up!</p>
<p>Thanks so much. Yes I tried to talk myself out of being an architect but i couldnt. I know its my passion so i will never give up!</p>