Jump to content

Do I need a diploma in building design to get into Arch Vis in Australia?


R.Stewart
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi there,

 

I'm currently studying and I'm about 3/4 of my way through my course and it is torture. I can't stand construction but I love 3ds max and revit. I know if you can use these programs there is plenty of work out there.

 

I know a few people have dropped the construction subjects in the past and focused on the presentation side and are doing quite well. But every teacher I speak to says "no no finish the course" but of course no teacher is going to encourage me to drop any subjects. My max and revit progression is suffering big time from the extra work load. 8 subjects a semester is way too much.

 

I do plan to do the VGC course next year which is a Vocational Graduate Certificate in Digital Architectural Illustration which is of course focused on presentation and modeling. So I don't need the diploma to get into the VGC just the Cert IV which I have.

 

I'd love to hear from some people who know about the industry in Australia.

 

Thank you.

 

3/4 of the way is pertty far - I'd just finish it up and then take less subjects in future.

 

I'm not sure what the thrust of the question is. If you are asking if a construction certification will benifit you in arch-vis, then the answer is YES!. I don't know the Aus market but in SA to be an in-house artist (at an architectural firm) you will need some sort of architectural background. A 3D studio might be inclined to take on graphic designers and non specialised artists. If you are freelancing or doing your own thing then it wont be necessary but may the education may make your life easier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure where it originated from, but I am assuming Justin's friend has the same one...

http://hoklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/arch_dialogue.pdf

 

Hehe, I lovingly refer to this as archi-talk-ture.

 

Two cents from an architect concerning the Revit question asked a ways back. Revit is a tool for producing construction documents, not renderings. The difference is in what gets modeled and what doesn't. In CDs, I would never model every railing (which is a pain in the a$$ in Revit), nor would I model any of the detail required in a rendering. So I agree, max and other rendering software will always have a place. However, it would be worth your time to learn the software, as I do see the majority of architectural production being accomplished with BIM in the next few years. That, and understanding the architectural technical dialogue, as previously mentioned, can only help you land more jobs. So, I say stick with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3/4 of the way is pertty far - I'd just finish it up and then take less subjects in future.

 

You are quite right my friend. I've come this far and I'm learning a lot about architecture so it would be a bit silly to drop out now. I just keep thinking about how much better my max skills will get if I drop most of my study. For sure I can see that a future employer would be impressed if I had a license to produce working drawings for multistory buildings and design them from scratch. Not just say I can do it but I dropped out of my course so I don't have the certificate for it. I've got till November so I think I'll tough it out. Kicking and screaming the whole way of course.

 

haha that archi talk sheet is hilarious!!! I can't wait to show the peeps at tafe. Absolute gold!!

 

Well thank you so much for the input everyone. From this thread I gather that to get into arch viz it's all about the portfolio, then once in the biz you have to be fast and be able to speak and interpret ambiguous, intellectual hipster archi jive talk. Work is slim out there but it is there for hard working people.

 

I got offered a job today I thought I might add. A guy who does 2d floor plans of kitchens in AutoCad needs them in 3d. Perfect job for a beginner!!

 

Thanks again for all of the great advice.

 

Big ups:cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Revit is a tool for producing construction documents, not renderings.

 

I really want to learn how to model in max that's why I need more time to dedicate to it. Our CAD subjects at tafe teach us to model in revit then add materials and render in max. Revit was started as a design/modeling tool that ended up being used for documentation. That's what I was told anyway. I know people who model in max swear by it. Max is much more free.

 

You might find it surprising that out of about 50 people there are only 4 of us using revit to produce our working drawings because they are only starting to teach it to the first years this year! I taught myself over the last holidays and I'll never EVER go back to autocad I don't even capitalise it anymore. I think that is insane. Revit has been around for ages and for a course titled Building Design & Technology you'd think they'd be up to date with the technology.

 

:p but yeah I'm going to finish of the last few months. Mad if I don't really.

 

Thanks for your 2 cents : )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well thank you so much for the input everyone. From this thread I gather that to get into arch viz it's all about the portfolio, then once in the biz you have to be fast and be able to speak and interpret ambiguous, intellectual hipster archi jive talk. Work is slim out there but it is there for hard working people.

 

Sounds like a good job description of what we all do ;).

If you can keep being this enthusiastic , i'm sure you will do well. Work isnt as slim as you think and its all about the work.

Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well having done the same course years ago when it was called "Advanced Diploma in Architetcural Technology" I can agree with you that the workload is excessive. It is a hard course to get through considering the scope of things you are covering at any one time. This will however prepare you well for what is expected in the world of Arch Viz.

 

I ran into the same situation as you with spreading myself thin across some subjects to focus on the ones I really loved. I did not complete the course for various reasons (including spending too much time on my 3D), and to this day still wished I had. As others have said, you don't have long to go so try to stick it out. It won't hurt your future work prospects that's for sure.

There's some great advise in this thread to take on board. Good Luck.

 

Chris.

lucidimage.com.au

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well having done the same course years ago when it was called "Advanced Diploma in Architetcural Technology

 

Hey I had a look at your site buddy, amazing work. I can only hope that one day I'll be able to produce work like that. So was Mike Gibson teaching max when you were there? He's great, always talks of past students that go out and do really well. I guess you'd be one of them!

 

Thanks for the words of wisdom Chris.

 

All the best

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So was Mike Gibson teaching max when you were there? He's great, always talks of past students that go out and do really well. I guess you'd be one of them!

All the best

 

Thanks Richard.

Mike was there 10 years ago when I did the course when they were at morningside not southbank. Dave Gooding, Paul, Bruce Ward, Jenny Menso, Debra, Tony, Derek, Gert...all good teachers. Not sure who's there now though.

 

Anyway...Head down for the rest of the year and give me a call when you finish and see what's happening. If you want to chat before that my number is on the website.

 

Chris.

lucidimage.com.au

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Chris, Tony, Paul, Jenny and Dave are still there too. All awesome teachers for sure. Tony cracks me up when he gets all philosophical about office practice.

 

I'd love to have a chat with you and find out more about what you do absolutely so expect a call some time soon. Thank you very much for the offer.

 

Speak soon,

 

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...