The creation of a successful portfolio is a vital skill needed by architectural students and professionals alike. In a highly competitive global market the accomplished representation of the architect’s work must be able to turn opportunities into triumphs.

This book offers a fresh step-by-step approach to achieving a reflective, attractive and successful representation of one’s work. Structured in four stages it takes the reader through each step needed in the creation of a successful portfolio, from understanding yourself and your market, to planning, designing and producing it.

Illustrated throughout in full colour, the book includes case study portfolios from the US, UK, Europe and Asia which demonstrate the steps in the process for both practitioners and students, from sketch trials to full-colour stage lay-outs. These contributions come from architects all over the world, providing terrific insight into current practices and inspiration and ideas.

This is simply essential reading for anyone putting together an architectural portfolio.

Contents

Part 1: Contextualize It 1.1. Portfolio as Autobiography 1.2. Portfolio as Portable Museum 1.3. Case Studies Part 2: Plan It, Select It 2.1. Understanding Yourself 2.2. Identifying your Audience 2.3. Conserving Work 2.4. Selecting Work: Building the Theme for the Portfolio 2.5. Case Studies Part 3: Design It, Produce It 3.1. Mock-ups and Dummies 3.2. From General to Specific 3.3. Full-Scale Design 3.4. Designing for Reception 3.5. Learning from Others 3.6. Techniques and Stylistic Effects 3.7. Copy/Text 3.8. Typography 3.9. The Cover: Interesting Entrance 3.10. Paper 3.11. Binding 3.12. The Squint Test 3.13. Case Studies Part 4: Send It, Present It, Market It 4.1. Networking 4.2. Informational Interviewing 4.3. Gauging Success of a Portfolio 4.4. Case Studies. Postscript. Types of portfolio

Author Bio

Andreas Luescher is a Swiss architect, artist, writer, and Associassor of architecture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. His scholarship is widely published and he is a frequent presenter at national and regional American Institute of Architects and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture conferences.