Expert: John Henry Architect - 3/27/2010

Question
Dear Sir,
I am a student studying architecture in europe. I am also interested in the artisitc aspects of this field/profession. But this year I have to do planning and draw different parts of building (accurately) on A2 papers something tiresome, new for me, and requires a lot of work to learn. Also in the least amount of time. Is there any advice you can give me ? Is it always going to be like this or does this profession get any easier !


Regards,

Jonathan

Answer
Jonathan, if you like the artistic aspects of the profession, you have to stick with the rote work in order to get through.
I was the same way.
There is a lot of information you will learn semester by semester and in the end it will make sense and be the basis for your career.
This is also about public safety so you will have classes in environmental systems, structural design, and more.
If you like the aesthetics more, then perhaps you should take a few courses in art history and philosophy.  You can also be a photographer, painter, sculptor, etc.
I suggest looking into the Environmental Design degree at Texas A&M, Berkeley, and some other colleges which tend to be less technical at the earlier courses.
If you have to transfer into another field, some of the freshman and sophomore courses should help.
You might try to ask to 'shadow' an architect in his/her office for a month to see what is done day to day.  Find a medium to large firm for this.
Send a private email and I will send you more information that is requested from me typically, and also review some of the related questions in my category.
Thank you,
JH