🎯How to make an architecture portfolio? [2021]

Are you looking for a job or a new architectural project and don’t know how to make an architecture portfolio? Do not worry! Today we will show you the precise keys to make a professional architecture portfolio.

But first, let’s go to the beginning …

Do you know what an architecture portfolio is and why is it so important?

Although you may already know, do not skip this part! We are going to make a detailed appreciation of how to make an architecture portfolio. 😉

Ready? Here we go!…

Index:

👉🏻 A professional architecture portfolio is the compilation of all the work you have done as an architecteven since you were a student. Here you can highlight the projects in which you have participated, led or collaborated.

Your architecture portfolio has to go hand in hand with a good resume, so we leave you one guide for you to make a creative resume this 2021.

This is very important ☝🏻 when looking for a job, since recruiters always want to know what you did before and if you have the profile or experience to be able to get the position you are applying for. In the case that you are independent, it is your cover letter in front of your client. 🤝

👉🏻 Your portfolio of architecture work should be what sufficiently clear and precise to answer a single question: Why should they count on you? 🤔

💡 Remember also, write a powerful personal profile that can describe who you are and where you want to be.

Image: Freepik

Okay, now that you know what a portfolio for architects is, we recommend you review the skills for a resume. Here we will show you the basic principles of creating an architecture portfolio:

How should I organize my architect jobs? This is one of the most recurrent questions, since you must choose the order that best suits your architecture projects.

Image: iStockPhoto

👉🏻 For example:

✅ In chronological order

The organization in chronological order shows your evolution as an architect in more detail. You can place from your first internships as a student (only the most outstanding ones), to the most complex and elaborate architecture projects in which you have been. This point depends on what you want to show.

✅ By priority

Here you would have to make a special selection of what you consider your best architecture projects regardless of the date. It’s more or less like a ranking of your best architect jobs. Let’s do it! 🙌🏻

👉🏻 Remember to support it and mention in which part of your professional life each project was carried out and why you consider it important.

✅ By architectural genre

Here you can highlight the most versatile architecture projects of various genres in which you have participated. You can consider commercial premises, multi-family buildings or some experience you have had in the public sector.

Here you will show all the formats in which you have worked as an architect through 3D images, architectural plans, drawings, photos of your architectural work, etc.

Image: iStockPhoto

✅ Better renderings

3D images or renderings will undoubtedly give a more attractive view to your architect portfolio. Remember that they must be duly documented, with the name of the company, name of the project, your personal data, date and location. If you want to know what rendering in 3D is, here we clear your doubts.

👉🏻 Although these formats are more striking, you must be careful not to abuse them, since they can steal all the attention.

✅ Plans of the development of the architectural project

It will show your ability to develop large-scale architectural plans. In addition to your graphics, the correct use of lines, shading and textures, as well as your ability to draw objects such as sections, perspectives, plants, furniture, etc.

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✅ Photos of your architecture projects built

If with the renderings or 3D images you have already captured the customer’s attention, the photos of the architectural projects already built will leave no doubt of the good professional you are. Try it and you will see! 😉

✅ Photos of your architecture models

One of the main pillars of every architect is the elaboration of models. In addition, you can include them in your architecture portfolio. For example, the models you have made since you started your career to those that you consider best to show.

Get ready this 2021 with this Architectural Photo Retouching Course

✅ Freehand drawings of your architecture projects

If you think drawing is your thing, then show it! This is an important plus for your architect portfolio, since there are companies that value professionals much more who can graphically explain concepts, in addition to providing constructive and spatial solutions.

Next, we will show you some basic formats in which we recommend developing your architecture portfolio. Use the format that is easiest for you and Start as soon as possible! ☝🏻

Image: iStockPhoto

PDF: The favorite format for your architect portfolio

This is undoubtedly the most common format to develop your architecture portfolio. Since it is easier for you to send it by mail, WhatsApp or upload it to Google drive. In addition, its ways of reading from a pc, a tablet or a cell phone are easier. You can see it wherever you are! 😉

Behance

To create your architect portfolio on this website, you just have to create an Adobe account with your email or register with Facebook, so Behance will open its doors for you. It is one of the most common tools for creating portfolios for creatives, due to its easy view and navigation.

👉🏻 Learn how to create a portfolio on Behance step by step.

Image: behance.net

Wix

This is a more extended mode that allows you to have your architect portfolio integrated in one place. Wix allows you to create a website from scratch, optimizing by categories. The payment option has nothing to envy to the free one, that is why we recommend it, because it has what you need to be able to show your architecture work in a practical and very simple way.

Image: wix.com

Weebly

This is another free option where you can create your website / architecture portfolio. Weebly meets everything we need if we are just starting out. It is practical and has a fairly simple interface (in the case we do not know anything about programming). Here you can continue discovering more websites to be able to create your first portfolio, it is a matter of browsing a bit and exploring each of its functionalities. Choose the one you like! 😉

Image: weebly.com

Instagram

You will surely wonder. What is my favorite social network doing here? Well simple! 😉

We are in 2021 and now everything is “instagrammable”, yes, even your architecture projects. Use social networks as your personal portfolio, show your work without fear and win potential clients. It’s easy, fast and above all free! Here we leave you some tips so you can create your portfolio on Instagram. Try it! 🙂💡

Image: @architecture_hunter

Become an Instagram expert with these courses

Separate by categories

Remember that your architecture portfolio must have an order, that is why we recommend you separate them by categories, for example: the renders section must have its own space, it cannot be mixed with your section of photos of finished projects. Take some time to order it properly. You will thank us! 😉

Prepare your portfolio according to where you are going to apply

An architecture portfolio for a construction company is not the same that you should consider for a public sector or government company. Great care! Always show the jobs that speak best for you.

More quality than quantity

We recommend that you do not put all your architectural work, as this can make the best ones go unnoticed. Put only the projects that you consider important and with which you have had better results. For example: the construction of a multi-family building, a shopping center, etc.

Make it light visually

The view usually looks for only what it needs, so we recommend that you do not load your portfolio with many images, videos, renderings or 3D images because it would not be possible to highlight the other attributes of your architect portfolio: freehand drawings, your models , plans, etc.

Details matter

Put in each format the type of project it is, your personal data, company data, date, a brief explanation, etc.

Your spelling is very important

This detail is sometimes not taken into account, but it is very important, since there you demonstrate one of the basic principles as a professional. Spelling and grammar errors are frowned upon as they show our anxiety and lack of composure. They may even show little preparation and miss out on great job opportunities.

Summarize your reviews

Architects are valued more for their graphic ability, so avoid including large amounts of text that can steal the attention that your architecture projects need.

Always include your architecture portfolio when submitting your CV

Remember that your portfolio is an annex to your resume, as it shows what your resume says and everything you have done throughout your professional life.

File size

This is an important point to consider when sending your architecture portfolio, since, having images, videos, plans, etc., its size can be very excessive and when attaching it it can be rejected by many mail trays. This happens because some servers limit the final weight of the files. So, make sure that your files do not go beyond 10 Mb.

Always look for references

Constantly review options to improve your portfolio of architecture work. Always ask your colleagues at university or work for their opinion and get better ideas for organization and presentation.

Avoid plagiarism

Don’t look to add work from other professionals to your architecture portfolio. This act is considered plagiarism and may have legal consequences.

Show what you love

If there is any architecture project that you are proud of, show it off without fear! They can be your most original, creative ideas, etc. Here you will reflect what you liked doing the most and what you want to improve yourself. It may not be your best work, but it is what you truly love, right? 😍

LinkedIn is the key to success

This is a network that has more than 500 million users. Without a doubt, a range of possibilities, which opens more than one job door for you. LinkedIn is the social network that every architect must have in order to make their talent known. In addition, it is a great window to display both your CV and your architecture portfolio.

You already know ☝🏻, if you don’t have a LinkedIn account, you do not exist working. So dust off LinkedIn!

These are just some guidelines for you to make a successful architecture portfolio. We have talked from its conception to its final development. You saw that it is not very complicated, right? Remember that you should always prepare and if you want to specialize more, here are some online digital architecture courses that you can try. 😉

Good luck! 🍀