Looking for an architecture job?
If you are looking for an architecture job, you’ve probably been thinking about building your personal website for some time, right?
There are times that job candidates have to decide between posting their portfolio on a public website or posting on a private one. It’s important to know the difference.
There are a few advantages that you’ll get if you post your portfolio online. First of all, you’ll be able to share your work with more people. You can connect with other architects or companies anywhere in the world. You can also reach out to possible clients. You’ll have a wider audience that will see a representation of your work.
Several companies may require their employees to use a private site mostly because of security reasons. Often, they are more likely to open an architecture portfolio if it’s on a private website.
So you’ll want to know the downside to your decision as well.
Your private site is mainly for curating potential employers. The information in a private site is not as accessible as in a public site.
Applying to architecture graduate school?
While graduate school is no longer how it used to be, architecture graduate applications are still tough to get through. You will need to master mathematics, geometry, and design concepts while gaining a lot of practical and theoretical experience.
My name is Volkan ‐ I am an architecture student at iversity. I have worked on a portfolio that will help you polish up your application. My advice is to start early! Start building it now and improve it continuously.
The online architecture portfolio that I have put together is the result of many years of hard work. There are many times when I was frustrated and didn’t know what to do. Every challenge I faced served as a learning opportunity. I hope that my mistakes and knowledge will help you get a better start than I did. My name is Volkan ‐ I am an architecture student at iversity. I have worked on a portfolio that will help you polish up your application. My advice is to start early! Start building it now and improve it continuously.
The online architecture portfolio that I have put together is the result of many years of hard work. There are many times when I was frustrated and didn’t know what to do. Every challenge I faced served as a learning opportunity. I hope that my mistakes and knowledge will help you get a better start than I did.
It's Easy
One of the benefits of using an online portfolio, at least for people who aren’t inclined to design their own site, is the fact that it’s pretty simple to set up.
There are a number of different templates that are provided with the portfolio, and it usually doesn’t take a designer very long to pull together a website that’s professional and that fits their needs.
Also, many website hosting services that offer professional portfolios also have the editing tools that are needed to make changes to pages and upload new photos …so don’t be afraid to make changes if you need to.
As you go through the process, you can learn more about what you like, the kinds of showcases that you enjoy using, or what you think your ultimate online portfolio should look like. Or you can use what is provided as a starting point and then design a portfolio that is more personalized.
The fact something as important as applying for a job is suddenly made "easy" should be a red flag.
Let's face it, when you're applying for an architectural position, in today's internet-based world, you have to use the web to get noticed. I don't know what the world will be like in 10 years time, but now I think it's fair to say you can't really be an architect without a pretty good online presence.
You could be the greatest architect in the world, but if shopping for your job is a bit like buying a new sofa, then what's the point?
If you're reading this article, you probably already are aware of the online portfolio as the solution, or a temporary solution, to this problem and it doesn't really have to be this way. The modern architect really should not be trying to actively market their design portfolio.
Why? Because doing so puts a barrier between you and your potential client, a barrier that does not exist in a traditional setting. What is the barrier? How do I get to see your work? How do we maintain conversation? What do we do when we both like what we see and want to take things further?
In a typical architecture studio, you see the work, you discuss the work, you both like the work, you move forward.
Large File Limit Size
Many platforms have a file size limit for the images you upload to your online portfolio. For example, SlideShare is limited to 250 megabytes.
If your project’s presentation design is larger than this, you’ll need to work around it.
There are two ways to do this, each approach with its own downside.
{1}. you can save a lower resolution version of the large file, which will take up less space, or
{2}. you can collect images into a slideshow, which can be uploaded to SlideShare (they do have a slide presentation option that allows file sizes up to 1 gigabyte).
Copyright
A lot of advice for starting from scratch as a freelance architect revolves around finding your first job. While this is certainly important, it only scratches the surface of what it takes to successfully start up your own career.
Once you’ve established yourself working on projects for other people, you’ll likely be faced with the difficult decision of whether to start building your own portfolio of work. Hiring a freelance design architect without a portfolio is a risk that clients aren’t always willing to take, so this is an important step on the road to success as a self-employed architect.
Whether you decide to design a portfolio online or create one on paper doesn’t matter; the important thing is that you have one.
That’s why we’ve compiled five reasons why you need an online architecture portfolio.
Potential employers can see my portfolio
Your online architecture portfolio is extremely important. For your portfolio to stand out, you should always try to jump of the screen to a person viewing your work.
Browsing through a website is not efficient for potential employers. They can instead easily look at your work through a portfolio of things you have designed. These portfolios can be used to spark conversation points that will help you better communicate your skills.
Make sure there is a nice balance of your best work.
In one piece, you can have a photo of your final product, a rendering, and a drawing that demonstrates the process you followed.
Next, your portfolio should have good lighting. Your portfolio should be easy to use which means it should be a simple process to scroll through. As you scroll, you will want the viewer to see one design after another.
Furthermore, you should have website code that is mobile friendly and a blog that is regularly updated.
Your Personal Brand
Building an architecture portfolio is a great way to showcase your inner creativity, and make an impression on potential employers. On the other hand, a portfolio can also be a great personal resource. It can help you develop your own graphic design style, develop self-confidence, and learn to address criticism.
If you’re a commissioned architect then you probably do not need an online architecture portfolio. Stable clients who have seen your previous work will ask for references when you submit your bid, without needing any portfolio.
However, if you are a student, a fresh graduate, or you’re an independent architect then you may need an architecture portfolio or an online architecture portfolio.
A portfolio is a great way to showcase your work. How many projects do most organizations have out there? Not too many. For this reason, they will shortlist architects who are sending them portfolios for their competition. If your competition has a website with a portfolio, then why shouldn’t you?
A great online architecture portfolio can be a great personal backup. It’s portable, sharable and, unless you’re submitting work then you’ll get a critique prior to publication.