Architect-designer: description of the profession, where to study and where to work

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Studying creative professions, you can come across such a speci alty as an architect. He designs buildings and interiors. But at the same time, it is responsible not only for the appearance, but also for the functionality. Therefore, the speci alty of an architect-designer cannot be fully attributed to creative professions. This is something unique, existing at the junction of several sciences.

Description

The profession of "architect-designer" is not an easy profession that requires knowledge of various standards and regulations, as well as technical parameters. All this specialist will have to apply in their work. However, despite the abundance of technical information to master during the training period, there is also room for creativity.

It is curious that the profession "architect-designer" is represented by a lot of other specialists. They are also involved in the project preparation process. These include the following.

• Mainarchitects responsible for the project development process.
• Landscape architects overseeing landscaping.
• Urban planners who are responsible for the master plans of cities and towns.
• Designers working on the interior.

Among others, we can name restorers, as well as experts and those who are somehow engaged in scientific activities in the field of architecture.

Personal qualities

Having some characteristics will allow you to achieve great success and build a successful career as an architect-designer.

• Persistence. Every project requires a serious approach, scrupulously checking every detail.
• Creative talent. It would seem that the work of an architect is an abundance of technical nuances. However, it is partly a creative profession. That's why it's so important to have the right talent. After all, in fact, all the drawings are just the embodiment of an idea.
• Intellect. In addition to practical experience, a good architect-designer must have an excellent theoretical base, knowing a lot of nuances.
• Striving for perfection allows a specialist to never overestimate his work, to check every detail in detail. In the work of an architect, this is especially important.
• Lack of distraction. When developing a project, the architect must be completely absorbed in his work, without being distracted by extraneous factors. This is the only way to get a perfect result.

Responsibilities

The development of technology has led to the fact that the work of an architect-designerhas undergone many changes. The main reason lies in the complexity of technology.

Now the knowledge of some computer programs has been added to the main duties of architects, the main functionality of which is 3D design, as well as building modeling. In addition, it is necessary to check the documentation, making sure that it complies with various standards.

A more precise list of duties will depend on the field in which engineers, architects and designers work. Let's list the main ones.

• Architectural design. What tasks does a specialist in this field perform? Development, coordination of the project, as well as control of the formation of documentation and subsequent supervision.
• Urban planning. This is a more global scope of design. It involves the development of plans not for individual buildings, but for entire settlements.
• Landscape architecture. These are all kinds of landscaping works - parks, gardens, household plots, etc.
• Interior design. Professionals employed in this field design interiors, combining functional and aesthetic components.

In addition, the list of duties is influenced by the experience and qualifications of the architect, as well as the policy of the management of the company in which he works. If a specialist seeks to build a career, it is very important to form a decent portfolio. It should contain complex projects that can interest and attract new customers.

Architect-designer: where to study

To start a career in this difficult but interesting field, you will first need to get a higher education. The corresponding diploma assumes the presence of a serious base of theoretical knowledge. In addition, it will be useful to have practical experience that will interest a potential employer.

Back to learning. Future architects are advised to choose specialized universities, giving preference to the most reputable institutions. This can be a pass to the profession. After all, graduates of prestigious universities are in demand among employers.

That's why applicants need to be extremely careful about choosing an educational institution. Getting into a prestigious university is half the battle. The further result will depend on the efforts and ambitions of the student.

Among the most authoritative institutions, in addition to Moscow and St. Petersburg universities, there are others. For example, the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Samara and the university with the same name located in Nizhny Novgorod.

Exams

Before the training for an architect-designer begins, you will have to pass entrance tests. The more prestigious the university, the higher the competition and the more difficult the exams. However, this is not a reason for depression, but for more thorough preparation.

The exact list of exams must be found out at the educational institution. Let's describe the standard option.

Applicants need to go through two stages.

• At the first stage, the results of the exam are evaluated,which can be taken at school as final exams. Usually you need to submit certificates in mathematics, as well as Russian language and history. Sometimes the last subject is replaced by literature, but this is rarely practiced in architectural universities.
• At the second stage, applicants will have a creative competition. It is carried out directly in educational institutions. Applicants are offered to submit a drawing for evaluation, as well as a composition and a drawing.

What should I do?

It seems that the entrance exams are incredibly difficult. However, educational institutions usually tell in advance, as part of the consultation, what results are expected in the creative competition.

Presentation of all works is usually held on the same day or not at all. The results of the creative competition can also be communicated to applicants remotely.

It is advisable to find out all the nuances in advance so as not to be subjected to unnecessary stress in the admission process.

Applicants can submit copies of documents to several educational institutions at once. This increases the chances of success. Even if for some reason it is not possible to enter one university, the doors of another may open for an applicant.

Work

When choosing the profession of an architect for yourself, it is better to learn as many nuances about it as possible in advance. After all, getting a diploma is just the beginning. When the doors of the university are closed for yesterday's student, he has to decide. What to do next? Where to work and what salary can you expect?

Let's callseveral jobs for architects.

1. Construction companies. Typically, such institutions accept architects-designers into their ranks. This is justified by the profile of their work. Construction companies for the most part specialize in the construction of standard buildings. However, this does not make the job easy at all. In the process of working on each project, it is required to carry out a lot of approvals and pass an examination. A potential architect needs to be prepared for multitasking, as the staff of such specialists is usually minimal. If such conditions are not satisfactory, it is recommended to pay attention to all sorts of alternatives.
2. Architectural bureaus. Such organizations perform services related to the design, as well as the conduct of examinations and the preparation of documentation. Usually in the bureau there is a clear division of responsibilities between employees. There is no shortage of vacancies. Even at the dawn of a career, you can apply for a vacancy in an architectural bureau. It is not difficult for a yesterday's university graduate to get a position as a technician and prepare simple drawings, while absorbing experience and aiming for career growth.
3. Government institutions. These are all kinds of organizations of different scale - from municipal to federal. Their main tasks:

• preparation of master plans for settlements;
• documentation;
• project approval;
• issuance of building permits.

Working in such institutions suits those architects who are attracted by the stability, as well as the opportunity to enjoy benefits,provided for government employees.

It will also be useful for a potential architect to know what the Interregional Association of Architects and Designers is. It is one of the self-regulatory organizations. The Association acts as a kind of link between the state and representatives of the industry. This allows businessmen and authorities to unite their efforts.

Benefits

Each speci alty, an architect is no exception, has pluses and minuses. It is very important to weigh them carefully at the start in order to make an informed decision. Let's start with the benefits.

• Creative component.
• The prospect of career growth and, accordingly, a high salary.
• Possibility of immigration.
• Know the speci alty.

Flaws

Despite the creative side, being an architect is far from ideal.

• Hard work with great responsibility.
• Long learning. In fact, it does not end even after receiving a diploma. The architect must be constantly aware of trends. In fact, this means continuous learning.
• Presence of stress and overwork.
• Low salaries for budding architects.
• Difficulties with self-realization. Usually you have to work on order, fulfilling the wishes of customers. That is why even the most ambitious projects are not always possible to translate into reality. After all, they need sponsors.

Architect-designer: salary

The financial side is one of the most pressing issues for those who are starting to master the profession.

• On average, Russian architects earn 25,000 rubles. However, there are those whose incomes are higher or lower than this figure.
• For specialists from Moscow and St. Petersburg, higher salaries are provided, 36 and 29 thousand rubles, respectively.
• Architects are paid less in the regions. A similar scenario applies to those who are just starting out in this field. Both those and others usually earn 15-17 thousand rubles a month. However, this is a great start for those who recently graduated from high school.

Young professionals who start their careers as technicians with a low salary should not be immediately upset. You need to be patient. Working in an office team, a specialist has more chances than a freelancer. After 7-8 years of career development, you can reach the rank of chief architect and count on a significant increase in salary. Such specialists are paid about 100 thousand rubles or more. A freelancer with no real work experience is unlikely to reach such heights.

Result

The profession "architect" was created for purposeful and responsible professionals. Those are the ones who succeed. But first you have to overcome a lot of difficulties in the form of sleepless nights, unplanned overtime and constant responsibility.