Architecture / Interior Design Schools

[lemeray]

I remember I tried to drink coffee to stay up, never drank it before, so I tried it one night, it just made my hand shaky and I couldn't work properly And the taste Diet Coke worked best for me I think I just ended up more with an addiction then staying awake...

I didn't had time to eat either, I would think "No I can't make that meal, I will waste 30 minutes" Also I found when you dont sleep for days your constantly hungry...

[rox_yr_sox]

Yes!! You don't sleep for days and are hungry all the time, and I get an aching stomach, but when you try to eat, you have a few bites and feel really full. I guess screwing up your body clock can do that to you!
Btw, lemeray, what kind degree are you studying (archi, interior, construction)? what year are you completing?

[lemeray]

Yeah I can't eat when I don't sleep, I feel even more disgusting. I just let my stomach be hungry

Im going to start studying interior architecture this year. Are you studying that? Should I prepare myself for hell again?

I was studying interior design but I've finished my course...I really got over choosing furniture and light fittings...

[rox_yr_sox]

I'm starting my third year of a bachelor of architectural studies in march. After that, I have to do a two year degree, bachelor of architecture, to become a qualified architect. Though, I'm not sure if I'll do the second degree, because I don't particularly like the design portion of my current degree. I'm thinking of moving into architectural journalism, with interests in architectural theory, history and philosophy after the architectural studies degree is finished.
But who knows, it's really difficult to make a decision about your professional future.

[lemeray]

Are you more interested in the theory side? Im the opposite, design for me...you must express your designs beautifuly then I'm terrible especially when presenting to a bunch of people...

[skyefitsheaven]

I'm loving these crazy awesome stories of you two. Reminds me of my high school projects, cutting myself all over and trying not to get any blood on my project. Our teachers are insane and give us these crazy projects. I have several lovely (not) scars on my thumbs from working on screen & block prints.

I have a question for those studying architecture...
Is there a lot of mathematics involved? If so, what kind (as in trig, geometry, algebra, etc.). I'm curious so I know what to take my last year of high school.

[Zoely]

to go into the other school i have to make a maquette of my house...:|

[Matay]

Originally Posted by lemeray

....it can be competetive and sometimes teachers have favourites

i HATE WHEN THEY HAVE FAVOURITES SOOO MUCH!
last year, my design tutor started swearing at us and kicking chairs and telling us we were destroying our education because her favourites weren't there on time, and the rest of us were early!
she was a completely psycho bitch.....she also needed a shower and to tend to her underarm hair!

[nouveau]

I too am going into my 3rd year of Architecture in Australia, seems to be a fair few aroud tFS. Oh GOD Matay don't get me started on favourtism within the course. ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH. I hate it most when tutors complete destroy your design over a certain criteria but then do a 180 and completely ignores it in the design of their favourite students. ARGH
I think you need a lot of faith in your own vision and talent if you want to keep sane in architecture school. People will tell you different things and it's great to take criticism but sometimes you just gotta do what you think is best and trust your own instincts. If don't have that or somehow loose that and let people get to you you will be very very miserable. I think it's very dangerous to assess how successful your design is solely based on your tutor's crit. For myself I think it's important that I'm happy with the design MYSELF first and foremost which sometimes means going completely against what the tutors tell you you should be doing in the tutes. The favourites are usually favourites because they sheepishly follow what the tutor tells them and don't end up pushing the boundaries at all.
So my advice for those contemplating going into Architecture school is to be prepared to be completely unappreciated and for your efforts to be completely thankless and be okay with that as long as you feel you're learning and making progress. If you are the type who needs approval from other people or don't have particularly strong confidence in your own talent you will be eaten alive!

[rox_yr_sox]

Originally Posted by skyefitsheaven

I have a question for those studying architecture...
Is there a lot of mathematics involved? If so, what kind (as in trig, geometry, algebra, etc.). I'm curious so I know what to take my last year of high school.

Trig and geometry would be useful but not absolutely necessary I've found. In my only subject which involves maths, construction technology, there is a little of maths involved, but they were keen for you to understand the theory behind stuff rather than be able to produce extensive mathematical workings on the exam. They will generally get you to apply the idea to written questions rather than in a "mathsy" answer, if you get what I'm saying.
Though, having studied forces (involves trig, algebra) in either some sort of advanced maths subject (in my state in Aus, called Specialist Maths) or in physics would also help. But again, they very rarely ask you to do lots of sums in exams.
This is just my experience of my architecture course, and every course has different focuses, either be very deisgn/art focused vs a more engineering slant.

Sorry for the long answer; to sum up: extensive maths skills not necessary but may help with general understanding and ability to pick up new ideas more quickly.

[rox_yr_sox]

Originally Posted by lemeray

Are you more interested in the theory side? Im the opposite, design for me...you must express your designs beautifuly then I'm terrible especially when presenting to a bunch of people...

(I left you high and dry there didn't I?! We had a nice little conversation going on and then I went to New Calendonia (no kidding). On a side note, I visited Renzo Piano's Jean-Marie Tijibaou Cultural Center; excellent stuff!!)

Anyway, although public speaking makes me nervous, I reckon I'm pretty good a bullsh!tting, and making it all philosophical, full of meaning and rubbish like that, which they generally seem to love. Plus, the higher up you get in the course, the more what you say matters along with your designs, which is good for me cos I reckon all my stuff is pretty crap. Though, I'm super critical of everything I do so I don't think I'll ever know if my work is actually good. Hence, I can't handle design, because the entire thing is filled with self-doubt for me. I much prefer theory, history, philosophy, because I prefer expressing myself through words.

Do you ever think that it's impossible to have an original design idea when so many outside influences are swirling around in your head?

[Zoely]

Ok tomorrow i have to go to Willem de Kooning ( in netherland ). Its a art school, with interieur architect. I had to make a maquette of my house and i paintart. Also my portfolio has to be great!.

omg i am so nervous!

[skyefitsheaven]

Originally Posted by rox_yr_sox

Trig and geometry would be useful but not absolutely necessary I've found. In my only subject which involves maths, construction technology, there is a little of maths involved, but they were keen for you to understand the theory behind stuff rather than be able to produce extensive mathematical workings on the exam. They will generally get you to apply the idea to written questions rather than in a "mathsy" answer, if you get what I'm saying.
Though, having studied forces (involves trig, algebra) in either some sort of advanced maths subject (in my state in Aus, called Specialist Maths) or in physics would also help. But again, they very rarely ask you to do lots of sums in exams.
This is just my experience of my architecture course, and every course has different focuses, either be very deisgn/art focused vs a more engineering slant.

Sorry for the long answer; to sum up: extensive maths skills not necessary but may help with general understanding and ability to pick up new ideas more quickly.

Thank you! Your answer really has helped. I've already taken those math subjects so I should be okay. I'm taking Calculus next year (oh joy, not) as well as Physics. Good to know there isn't much math, I don't really like it as much although I do good, thankfully.

Originally Posted by Zoely

Ok tomorrow i have to go to Willem de Kooning ( in netherland ). Its a art school, with interieur architect. I had to make a maquette of my house and i paintart. Also my portfolio has to be great!.

omg i am so nervous!

o= Good luck!!!

[Mélodie Love]

Check out the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture and Interior Design, Art, and Design.
It might not work for you location-wise (it's an okay city, about 5-6 hours from Chicago) but it's public and a lot cheaper. It's somewhat of a hidden-gem and the Architecture and Int Design programs are ranked pretty high (fashion design isn't too bad either). Cornell is ranked high as well.

[skyefitsheaven]

Originally Posted by Mélodie Love

Check out the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture and Interior Design, Art, and Design.
It might not work for you location-wise (it's an okay city, about 5-6 hours from Chicago) but it's public and a lot cheaper. It's somewhat of a hidden-gem and the Architecture and Int Design programs are ranked pretty high (fashion design isn't too bad either). Cornell is ranked high as well.

Thanks for the recommendation! I definitely will check it out! It is a bit far but that's alright. :)



I just went to Columbia's open house in Chicago and I found it to be absolutely perfect for me!