Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Architecture

Everything you need to know before starting a career in architecture. This video discusses things they don't teach you about the profession and the industry in school.

Timestamps
Project Scale - 1:53
Project Complexity - 4:14
Project Constraints - 5:31
Specialization - 7:09
Career - 9:21
Licensure - 12:34
Money - 14:58

Here are the notes in point form if you want it in written form:

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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.

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[richardsprow]

Great video. I’ve been an architect 40+ years, the key is curiosity about how things work, communicating with people, finding and expressing creative solutions. It’s a team event, not an artist sitting alone. Time management is critical, no need for all- night design efforts. Learn to sketch to explore ideas, not as art to frame. Look at your table: how is it made? Draw how the parts go together, then think about options. What if your wooden table had metal legs instead- how would that work? Then look at your room- sketch how it is, then think about changes. What if your room had different windows? Sketch, think, and repeat.

[ryan_edmond]

you didn't even mention all the money you save by selling your bed because you'll never use it

[fenniefoxieburon]

Me: I want to be an Architect
Me 5 years later: Welcome to my YouTube Channel.

[tamnado]

Keys to be a successful architect:
1 - Affinity to spatial and haptic thinking
2 - Work hard
3 - Get licensed asap
4 - Find a high paying professional (e.g. Doctor, pharmacist, engineer, etc.) and marry them asap.
Good luck! :)

[cantthinkofaname]

Bruh this is scaring me, I'm forcing to myself to take up architecture because I don't know what else I have to do with my life.

[gdbalck]

I wanted to be one since I sat at a drafting table at age 7. 20+ years practicing. If you don't like problem solving, this won't be a fit. If you seriously enjoy finding solutions to complex problems, this is a field that would be appealing. It's very rewarding when you see the fruit of your labor as a built environment that you and other can inhabit and occupy.

[seth-leong-scott]

I'm a really introverted person who wants to go into architecture. From your sharing it seems like there'll be a lot of presentation and working with a lot of people... I guess having to frequently work with people is really inevitable huh.

Edit: Guys, the main issue for me is not with presentations and public speaking. Those things follow a script and with enough rehearsing I can do them well. I’m talking about responding to unexpected situations and questions and networking skills.

[abdallahhamed]

Seeing the title while i'm in architecture school be like ☹️😂😂

[TheWinterShade]

If you want to make the most of your skill in architecture become independent, stop chasing the goals post, and depending your future in industry. Detach your mind from industry path and use your skill to create your own legacy. It's a harder path but with a push it does work out.

[marjvg]

me watching this after getting enrolled 4 days ago in an architecture school: 👁💧👄💧👁

[bshwayde]

I’m an architect in the US with 20ish years of experience and this video is 1000% accurate. Best advice for students thinking about getting into the profession because it’s a reality check. And I totally wish I got licensed early in my career before “life” got in the way of my extra time.

[vereverve]

honestly i chose architecture my first year of university after being undeclared bc i like art, design, sustainability, think u can do a lot with the degree and wanna contribute something to the world. i'm a bit nervous it's not actually the field for me esp because i am not a math person, but i also would love to help design green hospitals or welcoming homes. i'm in my 2nd year now at a different competitive university that unfortunately has no design school. it's stressful bc i have to teach myself modeling software and read design textbooks in my free time, but there is so much opportunity here -- this year i'm designing a memorial for a house museum exhibition that will actually be physically constructed on campus!!! i have a lot of trepidation, but so far i love it and if it doesn't work out there's always set/stage design or video game development, and maybe museum work (if i marry someone rich 😅)

[ezradamie]

I left my job from architecture firm after 1 month of working their because the work was exhausting and reputating one thing for different designs. We architects can work on different areas like film industry, game production, on advertising, creative industry and so on Beacuse we know 3D modeling, 3D rendering, design process, visualization ....so on.

[nachiketh]

I'm out here in my Third year, questioning life. One thing I've noticed is that there's two kinds of people around, ones who want to be an architect and ones who want to build buildings.

[annakurse]

Finishing school and THEN learning how REAL profession works is DEFINITELY a FAIL OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. This is the thing i hate the most about architecture school. Teaching a practical profession without a practical approach.
The level of education and the mentioned undervaluation of interns and professionals with lowering pay and overworking needs to change for the best and evolve ASAP.

[thearchitect]

Thanks Ms. Dami. I am a high school senior who recently got accepted into university for the 5 year B.Arch program. I have had my doubts on going to school for architecture and choosing it as a profession (mainly from stories from students who saw architecture as something it isn’t) but watching vids like this and working on my college admissions portfolio and design analysis papers have made me excited for my university education as well as becoming an architect. So glad I found ur channel.

[Rapsodos_]

I live in Athens, Greece and my goal is to change the city's whole feeling with architecture. I'm still in high school but I'm doing really good with my sketches and work. I hope that I'll succeed. And to whoever is reading this, have a wonderful and productive day 😊

UPDATE:
I changed my mind and settled upon wanting to become a Civil Engineer Teacher.
About two months ago I finished the Panhellenic Exams ( Every student has to take part in the exams if they wish to enter a Public University )
and I got accepted into the Uni I wanted and also placed 13th in the overall score!
My goals now are the following:
1. Finish the Uni with a high grade
2. Take courses in ECO-Engineering
3. Go to study extra abroad at the University of Washington ( My Uni has a partnership deal )

Thank you all for the positive comments.

[davidkonevky]

As much as I love architecture, seeing my older sister and the amount of times she had to stay up until 3 am studying or doing projects is CRAZY scary lmao

[WRuba]

I'm 50yrs old now, out of high school I tried architecture courses in college and discouraged by my male professors, so to see you; a woman explaining architecture is so appreciated. Yes, I did give up (didn't have a voice then). I'm in accounting now; however, I will always regret not doing what I wanted to love!

[AnasAyoub-XDH]

I am an architect with 8 years experience, and I got educated about different segments that you tackled in your video. Very well organized, I am really enjoying your content.