Need some advice

pav_3j

been thinking long an hard recently abou what i want to do as a career.
i am currently doing a degree in architecture, and in september i shall complete the final year of my degree.
the problem i have, is that since i have been working in industry, i really don't think that i will be happy as an architect, i'm just not enjoying it as much as i thought i would.

HOWEVER i have realised recently (and it has been a bit of a revalation!) that i am seriously interested in 3d modelling and graphics. i think it is something that i would definitely enjoy a career in (enjoyment is the most important thing for me)i am getting more and more confident in my modelling abilities as the weeks go on, but i'm not sure if i really am cut out for it.

obviously it would be foolish to just quit my degree, i am going to finish it, but has anyone got any advice for me about this situation i'm in? anyone been in a situation similar and if so what did you do?

everyone on this forumk is so helpful, and supportive i figured i would start by gauging your opinion!

any comments are welcomed!

thank you in advance

pav

Alan Fraser

Well, I'm not an architect; my background is graphic design. I was originally a book illustrator. I'm glad I'm not still doing that. Publishers just kept expecting more and more for no extra money. I don't think the fees rose appreciably in 10 years. I have no idea how people make their living in that field now...I'm only glad I don't have to.

I suspect that things are equally tough in many of the "support" industries. Many architectural visualisers will tell you their work is getting more difficult...precisely because of software like SU and its rendering add-ons which make it comparitively easy for an architect to do his own visuals rather than farm them out to visualisers/illustrators as he may have done before.

If you are finding modelling is easy and enjoyable thanks to SketchUp then you can bet that tens of thousands of others are in the same boat. What is more, they probably already have jobs so can model in their spare time and undercut anyone attempting to actually make a living at it.

Personally, my advice would be to stick with the architecture and see how the wind blows in a year or two. If you get the opportunity to get into an area that deals with more modelling, inside a large company, avoiding the day to day grind of dealing with clients, then make the most of it.

There are a few more unusual, creative directions you could try. With a degree in architecture and a solid grounding in modelling, what about the film industry...sets or SFX? There's also computer games. One of the founders of FormFonts has an architectural background but his previous job was with Rockstar, working on games like GTA.

Daniel

Your experience is not uncommon. By all means, finish your degree; you've put too much time (is architecture 5 years in the UK as it is in the US?) and effort in it so far to give it up at the end, and it is always something to fall back on.

But before you give up on architecture, have you considered that your dissatisfaction might have to do more with the firm you are in, rather than the profession?

pav_3j

firstly thank you vert much for your help guys, what you have said really makes sense.
daniel, i have no intention of cutting my degree short, i actually really enjoy all of the uni work, it's fun and challenging, plus like you said, quitting now would be stupid.
i just don't think architecture is for me, the firm i work for is amazing, we do some cool things, and all of my colleagues are cool too, it's just i don't think it is what i want to do. maybe it is just a phase, i'm not sure!
it's definitely a hard one, i know i am going to finish the degree, just not sure i want to do the job! he he

thank you both for your help, you have made me think very differently about the situation that is for sure.

pav

sorgesu

You might also consider perusing this forum: http://www.cgarchitect.com/

Members are all architectural visualizers as a profession. They do an annual salary survery and have many questionnaires regarding the state of the profession. you might want to do a search on your question as it is asked often on that forum and take note of the advice.
From what I recall those in the profession of visualizatio in the US were saying that since the entry of inexpensive modellers and artists from places such as India and China,not to mention locally, it has become impossible to do this work exclusively. Many need to supplement with web design and such.
I don't think it is impossible and there are always the lucky few who land in a good spot who can make a brilliant career of it, but that will be much more rare, you will never know how long before the bubble bursts etc. I think you have had good advice. get the degree and all the knowledge that that gives you and then use it as 'crowbar" to open other interesting avenues for you.

rsw

pav,

I am taking my part 3 in architecture this year, but I have gone through a similar experience myself (I even posted here about earning a living from SU etc).

I would probably agree with Alan, and suggest you stick with it for now, but make the most of any opportunities that come your way. Usually people take a year out between parts 1 and 2 (although there were quite a few at my uni who took 2 years out - actually there were alot who just didn't come back). Make the most of this time and get as much experience as you can (both architecture and visualisation if you can), and at the end of it you'll hopefully be in a position to make a more informed decision.

I would suggest you speak to your tutors/careers advisor/professional studies advisor/etc as has already been mentioned it is a common experience and these people should be able to give some valuable advice. What about talking to students who are now taking their part 2? they may have gone through the same and have some useful suggestions.

If you don't mind I would like to ask what it is that you are not enjoying about architecture and why you don't think it is for you?