The 10 Common Mistakes Architecture Students Make

Being an architect has always been a dream for many people, especially those interested in the arts. Accordingly, studying architecture is pursued by many people around the world. However, architecture isn’t an easy major; the mental and physical stress architecture students undergo makes the process harder. No matter Which Type of Architecture Student You Are, you have to watch out for these common mistakes made by most architecture students.

IMAGE: Patrick Mansell

If you chose architecture for being a fun subject or for securing a prestigious job, and not because you enjoy drawing, sketching, designing, and planning, you would soon realize that you have made a huge mistake. Architecture necessitates studying and working for long hours and it can only be fun when you enjoy playing with colors, forms, shapes, and lines. If you do not love what you do, choosing this path will make you suffer a lot.

Mostly, people tend to take a vast amount of time in preparing their ideas before starting their projects; however, you have to be aware not to waste your time in preparing the idea only. Postponing the project for too long for the sake of getting a perfect idea is a huge mistake that might result in hurried, last-minute submissions of flimsy projects. On the other hand, knowing how to manage your time properly and beginning to work early will help you to develop and refine stand-out projects.

The essential requirements for a good design are being innovative, interesting, and balanced. If you submit a poor, cheesy work that is overly pretty and looks cheap, do not expect a good mark. The examiners expect you to produce imaginative, innovative designs that will make them sit up and take notice. Failing to design interesting and clever concepts is an alarming sign that architecture and arts are not for you. Additionally, resorting to simple structures and designs is not a good idea, as this will not give much room to show off your skills. Instead, focus on complex compositions in order to stand out. Furthermore, producing a well-balanced design might be a challenge, but this can be attained easily by giving more attention to composition.

No one is perfect, we all have our weaknesses and we are improving over time. That’s OK. However, you have to know how not to display your weakness, but turn them into strengths. Practice a lot and learn how to use distracting mechanisms by flaunting your own strengths.

What examiners usually want to see is your ability to develop and improve over time. Producing work that does not develop at all sends negative signs about you.

Most architecture students have the trait of seeking perfection and that might lead them to restart their work more than once. If they are not satisfied by every result they gain, this will hurdle their way towards improvement. In many cases, these projects that seem “weak” at the beginning, end up to be amazing designs. So, do not fall into the trap of seeking the ultimate perfection, and complete your unfinished projects.

Architecture students who imitate the work of others not only show that they are not qualified and that they lack originality and interest, but they will also be committing plagiarism. Unless you are asked to draw from second-hand resources, imitating designs is one of the gravest mistakes.

As mentioned earlier, learning how to manage your time properly and not spending too much time before really working on your project is of great importance. Annotation is necessary for assessing work and communicating concepts and ideas; however, you have to set your priority and put your fullest energy into planning and designing.

Designs are undoubtedly assessed on the visual level. Therefore, an excellent, refined presentation of your work matters. It can show that you are organized and committed to your work.