10 life tips for architecture school

In this video, I share 10 tips I wish I knew when I was in Architecture school and talk about some things that may help students and young designers make a success of their studies.

0:00 Intro
1:59 Build metaskills, as well as hard skills
3:23 Develop a skill you can monetize
6:29 Grades don't matter
7:54 Iterate + document the process
9:01 Understand the law of diminishing returns
10:53 Learn from your crits
13:03 Engage your profs
13:55 Learn how to communicate
14:48 Build systems + stay organized
16:55 Build good relationships

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WHO AM I:
I'm Dami, a licensed Architect living in Vancouver, BC. I make videos about architecture, career, and creativity.

GET IN TOUCH:

[denisp]

Architecture school is hard but my friend did explain it well, "when you finish medicine or architecture, you don't look for the job, the job looks for you" and that is true for where i live

[lologan]

I'm just start the journey in architecture school. It's so fortunate for me to watch this video at this time. All of ten tips are so important. Very appreciate. Thank you.

[stopato]

I enjoy listening to your videos. I worked passionately at architecture school, and burnt out in my last year, the 5th year. I was on the ledge of a building depressed and thinking this is the best way to end this. I stepped off, went to UNI and asked for help, left the full-time course. I was also doing a second degree in Asian languages at the same time and graduated with that, went up to Asia to study garden construction in Japan. My ambition to become an architect never stopped and 10 years later I completed the few remaining credits for the B.Arch. In the meantime I worked as a designer/garden labourer in Kyoto, Tokyo and Auckland. Now a father I could earn an income while having time flexibility for my family by working as a self-employed contractor - with a slightly unique skill set.. Your so correct, pricing is very difficult, as is time management when selling ourselves.

I wish I had a classmate similar you. You seem so supportive and organised. I found architecture school competitive and stressful. But so did others. It hit home when you said communication is key in this business. Today, y

[nmangali]

Crits killed my career aspirations OMFG!! I'm a professional now... so it worked out

But here's my contribution for students:

1. Sleep guys. No really, sleep!

2. There'll be days when you were supposed to draft, edit and annotate 2 elevatons but you spent a full day learning Code and never get around to designing. Get used to it. Dami, you're right though, if they can learn to streamline their work flow, even better.

3. And finally, VISIT SITES as much as you can. You'll know how construction methods function and you'll see that not only will your design and technical prowess improve, but will produce sophisticated designs and solutions. Now most architects can do that, visiting site just helps you get there quicker. Plus it'll enrich the course content.

[tranggnart]

You should start a podcast. Your voice are so soft and calm♡

[kassiamary]

This is pretty inspiring, I think sometimes it becomes hard to find the value in something when you’ve been at it for so long. remembering why you’re here changes everything

[viannydelgado]

I love your advice so much ❤ I'm in my first semester of first year in architecture. And I couldn't agree more on everything you mentioned especially how important it is to take notes, take critical feedback as an opportunity and how grades don't matter as much 🤧. Also love your work and how you created an architect YouTube community for future students such as myself and feel less lost !

[carlosrenevargasfuster]

You have no idea how valuable this videos are. Thank you for putting time aside in the first place to make them. 🙏🏽

[robinsuryapratama]

Please don:t stop making content, been binge watching this channel for days, i like how you explain things narratively, also youre eyes is very beautiful.

[chakriyaduong]

I’m starting my 7th semester in architecture school. And I’ve been thinking about these kind of thoughts a lot lately. And what you said is TRULY REALLY TRUE. I wish I knew all these tips and truth before I start architecture school but you know, we can’t really gather the spill milk back into the bottle as they were in their original state. But still, I’m grateful for your tips. It’s ensuring and reassuring as well to hear that I’m not the only one and we’re in this together. It’s actually encouraging and motivating. THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING, DAMI💕✨

[a_bdwy]

Not an architecture student but I’m studying industrial design. Having spent my first year of school online, I can very much understand most of these points and will absolutely take them with me for the next few years.

[leighcash]

I have a due date tomorrow and I'm about to start a mental breakdown, I'm tired, hungry, and sleepy (I hadn't slept in 48 hr). But I love my major way too much. THANKS THIS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE IT IS WORTH IT

[annakurse]

It's amazing how you had a cool architecture school experience (at least what it seems like by the end of your video), but i'm here for all the people whos school sucks.
If you have that crazy lack of socialization, everyone's hiding their ideas and doesn't wanna talk things your class is about out... It's ok. It sucks so much, but it's ok, you're not alone. Yes socialisation SHOULD be the best part of the school, especially architecture school, but sometimes it just isn't. My school sucks too, i feel you.

[tianawa]

I’m in my 2nd year of architecture, I recently discovered your Chanel and I’ve seen all the videos till date… they are very helpful.The way you try to transmit your experience and tips(knowing I’m not really and English speaking person if it makes sens)for me brings in more clarity in certain realities we weren’t /I wasn’t really aware of in life and architecture…. Great work👌🏽

[andrewmacomber]

Many moons ago I had dreams of being an architect and then I thoroughly researched the schooling & internship process. It was hugely intimidating and expensive so I opted for Graphic Design and a degree in visual communications. It was the right decision for me… no regrets today!✌🏻❤️

[bartbliek]

On the topic of dimihishing returns, it helps to know how much time a process takes versus how much value it adds to your project. For me model making was always a massive time investment and something we just had to do because it was on a deliverables list. So find ways to do it faster with less effort. Laser cutters and 3D printers were offlimits to us BA Students so I got my own 3D printer, best 300 bucks I've ever spent. Its amazing for massing studies, you can make 30 different versions in your favourite 3D software, print your top 5 and show the rest on paper. Of course you should listen to what your profs want you to do but I've personally had a lof of success with this.

[Artinaje]

Me watching the thumbnail of this video after entering my second semester in architecture school
Me: Well well well let's see

[mariamfatima]

Im in my fourth semester of architecture school and boy I relate to alot of the things youve mentioned in this video. Truth be told right now everything feels so overwhelming cuz its just the studios are so competitive and you generally dont understand alot of critics when you're studying in a foreign country. There would be massive number of architecture students enrolled in class but only a bunch of them are helpful. Its just so stressful how we pretty much everything from YouTube and researches except from actual professors. All in all studio culture isnt exactly like how portrayed on videos. Or that's what is in my case

[sigasana]

If only I research more about architecture school before I enter, I wouldn't have entered. 3 years of bachelor degree and I will never touch it again. it gave my mental problems and made me think I'm not worthy to be a human.
1. I never get taught or given feedback other than the most basic sentences that can be applied to every other degree/job out there. "you need to put more time" "sketch more" "develop more" or any other words from thesaurus. Even tho I've drawn a lot, explore more ideas, literally sacrificing my sleep and social to keep working on it, yet the feedback never changes.
2. everyone is being so secretive to each other, never showing any ideas. everyone present their things in the most secretive ways and only show off their work in the big presentation. and as an introvert, I barely develops any friends thorough my university life. it's my darkest and most solitude of my life.
3. If you really want to enter, go learn all the hard skill beforehand. this includes, but not limited to, photoshop, indesign, illustrator, autocad, revit, after effect, etc etc etc. They expect you to master all of this before you even design a building (at least in my university). also including all the stuff dami Lee explained in this video
4. expects your lecturer to use you as a guinea pig. my lecturer literally said he's currently writing a book about his idea and used us, his students, to explore and analyze his theory, and expects us to use his stupid theory for our design.

I could go on, but I'm gonna stop here. What i'm trying to say, i guess, only enter if you are actually passionate about architecture, learns the skills before you go to studio because they won't teach you at all.

[ashawilliams]

I’m an architectural studies major (SENIOR) right now - and i have been feeling so lost and like i know absolutely nothing, this video was really helpful in making my goals feel tangible again.