Highlands & Islands Students'​ Association’s Post

A few tips for applying for a position at Andy Matthews Studio. We wanted to provide some top tips to anyone thinking of applying to architecture studios in the future following the conclusion of our recent hiring process for a Part II Architectural Assistant. These are ours, I’m sure there are many more. Feel free to hit me up in the comments with other suggestions. DON’T - Apply via WhatsApp to the director's mobile phone; that number is on the website for client enquiries. - Follow up by phone or email before the application process has closed; we know you’re keen, but we have to let the application run and be fair to everyone. - Apply for a position different from the one advertised. - Apply via LinkedIn/Instagram direct message. - Send a rude email after not making it through to interview. - Apply for a position and be committed to a course of study outside architecture that would mean you are working excessive overall combined work hours each week and would mean you wouldn’t work with us for more than a year. Please read up on why we want people to rest and our four day week. We want to train people and for them to stay with us in the long term. - Add the director or other team members on LinkedIn if you’ve not met them. This adds more admin, and it might be easier to tap the follow button instead if you want to keep in touch and show some interest. - Come to interview with only university work. We need to see what you’ve done in practice and understand what practical experience you’ve had - even if it looks boring to you and think it won't be of interest. DO - Send a clear and concise CV, portfolio and cover letter. - Provide a well presented portfolio, white space is your friend. - Show a range of work - CAD, 3D, sketching, process, photos etc. - Please please please show some work from practice! Practical experience is really important and ultimately what we are interviewing you for. - Show some interest or life outside of work. - Check spelling and grammar - accidents happen, get a friend to help if this isn't easy. - Check any URLs work, see the don’t section. - Follow the instructions on the ad correctly. - Check any formatting. Any areas of pasted text in a different font will jump out. We know you have to re-use content, but it comes back to the eye for detail. We received five hundred or so CVs, interviewed six people, requested second interviews for two candidates and settled on a final candidate last week who has accepted our offer and starts in early October. Half of the applicants came directly from our social media channels (Instagram/LinkedIn), and half from a paid Dezeen Jobs ad. Everyone who applied was emailed a response, regardless of whether they were invited to interview or not. We were unable to follow up on further requests for feedback.

As I am getting ready to register for my last semester at TCC and prepare to transfer to UTA College of Architecture in the Fall of 2025, here are a few things I am already working on. Any other insights are appreciated. Key Portfolio Elements: Academic Projects: Include detailed documentation of your best projects from architectural technology courses. Show a range of skills, from technical drawings to creative designs. Drawings: Include hand sketches, CAD drawings, and Revit models if you have them. Plans, Sections, and Elevations: These are standard and crucial. Show that you can represent your designs from various perspectives. 3D Models and Renderings: Show digital or physical models to demonstrate spatial awareness and design intent. Process Work: Don’t just show final products. Include sketches, drafts, and revisions to demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving process. Personal Projects/Creative Work: If you’ve done any freelance, competitions, or self-initiated projects, add them to show initiative and passion. This could be architectural or artistic work that highlights creativity. Photography and Inspiration: If you have photographs of buildings or structures that inspire your designs, include them with explanations of how they influence your work. Graphic Design Skills: Incorporate visual presentation skills such as layout, typography, and organization in your portfolio to show your ability to present ideas professionally. Resume: Include a brief resume or CV that outlines your education, skills (Revit, AutoCAD, hand drawing, etc.), and any relevant work experience or internships. Project Descriptions: Accompany each project with a short description explaining the concept, design process, challenges, and the outcome. Make it concise but insightful. Tips: Keep it organized: Make sure the portfolio is easy to navigate, with a clear structure and flow. Quality over Quantity: It’s better to have fewer, well-developed projects than too many unfinished or less-polished ones. Tailor for Architecture: While diverse skills are great, ensure your portfolio is centered around architecture and design thinking. Seek Feedback: Show drafts of your portfolio to professors, mentors, or professionals for critique.

Visual documentation can have various benefits for construction projects. Here are some of the reasons: 📸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀: These are photos taken at regular intervals throughout the construction process to show the status and development of the project. They can help with project tracking, communication, historical records, liability protection, and quality control 📸 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮: These are photos or videos that showcase the features, benefits, and value of the project to potential customers, investors, or partners. They can help with attracting interest, generating leads, increasing sales, and building reputation 📸 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀: These are photos of the project team members, such as the owner, the contractor, the architect, the engineer, and the workers. They can help with introducing the team, creating trust, humanizing the project, and highlighting the expertise and professionalism of the people involved 📸 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲: These are photos or videos taken from a high-altitude perspective using a remote-controlled aerial device. They can help with capturing the scale, scope, and context of the project, as well as providing unique and impressive views that are not possible from the ground 📸 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀: These are photos taken during special occasions or milestones related to the project, such as groundbreaking, topping out, ribbon cutting, or grand opening. They can help with celebrating the achievements, documenting the history, acknowledging the contributions, and promoting the project 📸 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: These are interactive photos or videos that allow the viewer to explore the project from different angles and perspectives. They can help with providing a realistic and immersive experience, enhancing the engagement, showcasing the details, and increasing the satisfaction of the viewer 📸 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀: These are photos taken after the completion of the project to show the final outcome and quality of the work. They can help with demonstrating the success, verifying the compliance, evaluating the performance, and creating a portfolio of the project 📸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀: These are photos of the materials, equipment, or tools used in the project. They can help with highlighting the specifications, features, and benefits of the products, as well as providing evidence of their usage and quality 📸 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀: These are moving images that capture the motion, sound, and story of the project. They can help with conveying the message, emotion, and value of the project, as well as providing a dynamic and engaging medium for the viewer 📸 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲: These are videos that show the progress of the project over a long period of time in a short and fast manner. They can help with illustrating the transformation, complexity, and challenges of the project, as well as providing a visual summary and impact of the project.

🚨Friendly Reminder: Keep your drafts! It might sound odd, but your design drafts are worth keeping. When we design, we rarely get it right on the first try. The process often involves numerous iterations before the final version is ready to share with the world. Yet, many of us only present the polished end result and act as if that was our first attempt. But those messy, awkward drafts are the reason the final piece looks as good as it does. So why hide the 'ugly' parts of the process and only celebrate the polished one? In fact, those drafts can boost your confidence as a designer. They serve as proof that design is a journey, and it's okay to make mistakes or explore different directions. If you don’t believe in your own ability to refine a design, you may struggle to create good work in the long run. Sometimes, what we consider 'ugly' drafts aren’t as bad as we initially think. Revisiting them might reveal hidden gems or unexpected ideas. Plus, they form an important archive. Imagine having 50 years' worth of designs and drafts stored somewhere—your past informs your present, and keeping those pieces helps preserve the evolution of your work. What do you think?

Ever wondered how crucial visual designs are in the construction industry? 🏗️ Visual designs play a pivotal role in ensuring clear communication among stakeholders. They are the universal language that minimizes misunderstandings, fostering a harmonious workflow. In essence, they serve as a blueprint, guiding each step of the construction process. Without them, the risk of costly errors and delays increases significantly. So next time you see a visual design, remember, it's more than just a pretty picture - it's the backbone of successful construction.

Writing as house building... 🏗 Sometimes writing is you and your client standing in front of open field. "There should be something here." They tell you. "Could you make...something?" In these times, writing is architecture and construction all in one. It's drawing the blueprint, finding the wood, and nailing the darn thing together. All by yourself. 🏢 Sometimes writing is a tour of a town. "I like the outside of these buildings," your client says, "but not how the rooms are laid out." They ask you not to use pine, only maple. They don't want eaves, but they don't care if there's a chimney. They hate window wells, but they'd love a skylight. Nails not screws. Stairs, not elevators. "Also here are four other half-finished houses that a different architect made...could you take pieces from each to build something wholly different but also similar?" In these times you're puzzle master, making all the pieces fit, sawing out new ones to fill the gaps. 🔥 Sometimes writing is standing in the burned-down rubble. "Could you just rebuild this? Exactly how it was before?" Your client asks, wiping soot from their brow, "Only this time: fireproof it." This is when the building job is one of magician-ship and mimicry. Creating replicas that hold up even in the face of disaster. 🖊 Sometimes writing is a blank drafting table. Your client handing you a pen. "I love the stuff you've built for other people," they say. "Could you just make the same thing for me?" This is when you get to stretch your wings, do what you do best: your favorite kind of craftsmanship, from foundation to finishings. 🕊 The more I write, the more I understand our job as one of construction. Hammering. Sorting. Leaning one board against another to try and make a structure that holds. You have to be open to being a craftsperson, an unglamorous hands-on, lemme put a nail in that for you kind of worker, if you want to get paid to do this kind of work for other people. If you only want the glory of fresh from scratch, no boundaries kind of writing...you might be in the wrong business. This week I'm all blueprints and a thousand trips to Home Depot... How about you? ** ✨ I'm Lia. I write about the creative process, writing for writers, and how to bring your authentic self to your freelance work. I got nothin' to sell, but I'm happy that you're here. 🔔 Follow me for more about all the whats and whys of writing.

Every once in a while I come across a guide to basic design principles that stands apart from the rest. Effective communication, like great writing, is all subtlety. Use these simple rules to up your design game: https://lnkd.in/e_7c-CeA

Architect vs. Architectural Writer - a creative tug of war When people around me realize that I am an actively practising architect and architectural writer, they either don't take me seriously or often ask how I manage both roles. Hi! I'm Disha, and this is my story. I have always been passionate about art and architecture and working in this creative industry. I developed my passion for writing in architecture school by summarizing a small piece of content for an ancient Hindu temple's documentation project in my third year. This experience led me to build a foundation for delivering my thoughts through words. Having a knack for persuading people and being the class topper made it challenging to see writing as a skill I wanted to pursue in architecture school. I was often mocked for excelling in theory subjects while scoring average in design subjects by professors, which added to my fear of coming out as a writer. My five-year journey of focusing solely on design ended post-thesis. One evening, I came across a WFH Writing Program. Despite lacking confidence, I gathered the courage to create a CV and apply, and to my surprise, I got in! The deal was simple: I had to research and write 15 articles without a paycheck, but they offered me a byline and promised to publish anything they deemed fit for their profile. This seemed like an intriguing opportunity for someone with no professional writing experience, and I instantly jumped at it. I was utterly surprised when, after the fifteen-week program, 14 out of my 15 articles were published online. It seemed like I had discovered a hidden talent—I might have been naturally good at it. My relationship with conveying my thoughts through writing has grown stronger each year. Three years into writing has not only allowed me to contribute to the community as an architectural writer but has also elevated my design skills. Each day adds to my pursuit of honest designs and learning new perspectives. While practising architecture maximizes your focus on a personal approach as a designer, researching and writing become tools to enhance your skills, broaden your knowledge, and provide a reality check on your standing as a practising architect. A creative tug of war? I would call It an "Entangled Creative Suit"!

I have TWO SIDES Civil Engineer: My engineering background has equipped me with analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a keen eye for detail. From designing reinforced concrete slabs to creating 3D conceptual views of buildings, my engineering experience has shaped the way I approach projects with precision and structure. Graphic Designer: Today, I channel my creativity into graphic design. From eye-catching social media posts and engaging banners to compelling visual content, my goal is to create designs that captivate and communicate effectively. As a top-rated Graphic Design Virtual Assistant, I've helped businesses stand out and succeed with innovative visual solutions. Balancing these fields has been an incredible journey, allowing me to blend creativity with technical precision. What do you think of my diverse skill set? I'd love to hear your thoughts and connect with fellow professionals in both industries! #civilengineer #graphicdesigner #engineeringanddesign #DualExpertise #CreativeEngineering #ProfessionalJourney #designandbuild #engineeringlife #graphicdesignlife

We have collected 36 Swedish Design Systems 🇸🇪, 32 Design System specialists (working in Sweden or on a Swedish Design System), and (sadly) currently have 2 open positions on our Design System job board. And yes, that is a lot of Design System usage in just one phrase 😅 But that's what https://lnkd.in/d8tZNVbK is all about! Do you know of, work on a Sweden made Design System? Let me know in the comments or submit it via the form (in the comments). Having a public facing website is NOT a requirement at all, all we need is the system name and/or the company it belongs to, the rest is all extra... Do you work in Design Systems in Sweden or work on a Swedish system? Write a comment or use the form in the comments! Wanna help otherwise? Share this post or the site with your network 🙏🏼 #SwedishDesignSystems #DesignSystems