Math is a good skill to have but nothing that should get in the way of you becoming an architect. It's okay that you struggle with math, just persevere and do what needs to be done and you can look back over your shoulder at math for the rest of your long and illustrious career as an architect.
Here are five major skill sets you'll need to be successful during your college years as an architecture major and beyond.
- Math and science skills.
- Design skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Team-building skills.
- Communication skills.
You don't need to be able to draw well to be a successful architect. It's a handy skill to have - to be able to sketch an idea for a client. But, if you aren't a true artist, don't worry. You'll be plenty successful if you're detail oriented, good at problems solving and research, and work hard.
The average annual wage for architects in the United States currently is $89,560. Year after year, the average salary for architects has steadily increased on the national level. In 2017, the mean annual wage was $87,500 for architects, $88,860 in 2018 and $89,560 as of 2019.
An architect is a skilled professional who plans and designs buildings and generally plays a key role in their construction. Architects are highly trained in the art and science of building design. Since they bear responsibility for the safety of their buildings' occupants, architects must be professionally licensed.
Geometry, algebra, and trigonometry all play a crucial role in architectural design. Architects apply these math forms to plan their blueprints or initial sketch designs. Since ancient times, architects have used geometric principles to plan the shapes and spatial forms of buildings.
Architects use their 2D plans to create 3D designs. With CAD, architects are able to view different aspects and perspectives of their building from within a single program. This allows them to locate and fix problems quickly and efficiently. They can then present these designs to their client as a virtual tour.
The most important rule in freehand sketching is to keep the sketch in proportion, which means to accurately represent the size and position of each part in relation to the whole.
Traditional methods of depicting shape, form, and surface are applied to the discipline of architectural drawing. Students develop abilities to observe visual phenomenon analytically and translate subjects onto a two-dimensional surface in a variety of media.
Disadvantages
- Drawing is generally slower than most other mediums. You can't easily do a wash of value or color, like you can with oils or watercolors.
- You can't layer colors with pencils like you can with oils or acrylics.
- It's difficult to correct mistakes.
The fundamental idea is the starting point of every design. The idea is formulated into the concept; the concept is expressed in the formal language; the form requires a particular material; the space is given shape. Architecture is created. Described in this manner, the design process seems simple and straightforward.
So let's get to it: Here are five tips and techniques that should improve your architectural sketches.
- Adopt the “Hit-Go-Hit” technique.
- Don't move your pen/pencil by bending your wrist or elbow.
- Incorporate the use of pen weight.
- Intersect your lines at the corners.
- Trace isn't precious.
Drawing plays a big role in our cognitive development. It can help us learn to write and think creatively, develop hand-eye co-ordination, hone analytic skills, and conceptualise ideas. But drawing is rarely used as a tool for learning in schools.
There are many purposes of drawing such: describe or record something, document some evidence or history, explore different objects or nature, remember the past or past moments, change people understanding or thinking, express feelings and emotions and many more. Usually all our drawings come from our memory.
The three main types of pictorial drawings that are extensively used in architectural presentations are perspective drawings, isometric drawings, and oblique drawings.
Freehand drawing is important because it connects our hands to minds. Thus, the outcome relates to who we are. Freehand drawing helps develop an appreciation for observation. Also, it encourages to learn about the designed environment.
Drawing, the art or technique of producing images on a surface, usually paper, by means of marks, usually of ink, graphite, chalk, charcoal, or crayon.
Concept drawings or sketches are drawings, often freehand, that are used by designers such as architects, engineers and interior designers as a quick and simple way of exploring initial ideas for designs.
As a respectable profession with the opportunity to start your own business, architecture is an attractive career choice for creative minds. Architecture may sound artistic, but you'll need lots of other skills like math, physics, and strong social skills to be successful.