ida

300 mb is quite small in my opinion. My files sometimes reach above 1gb (I use a lot of masks and layers. But I have the proper machine for it and it can handle it quite well with little lag. Your computer crashes probably because something is overheating. Download a temerature monitor program (they’re free) for your computer and see if anything…[Read more]

Wasn’t this site founded in 2008?

Normally companies will skip every other version to save on cost and training. I even know some firms still use AutoCAD 2008! Just wait for 2015 version… it’s just around the corner.

You should research living expenses of both cities. Would you rather live like a king in Shanghai or a starving artist in Sydney? No point living in the better city if you can’t afford to enjoy its amenities. And Shanghai is pretty up there in terms of culture and things to do. It’s not that bad.

And don’t think you will stay in one firm and one…[Read more]

In response to illegal bootleging, Adobe has moved to monthly subscription service for their latest suite. It’s not a bad option because you can bill the cost to your client… I think Photoshop costs like 60 bucks a month. I wouldn’t doubt if Autocad moved to a monthly subscription as well in the near future.

I agree with all above.

You’ll be doing a lot of sections, plans, and putting together presentation packages for all phases of design. So you need to be able to follow direction well, and have the courage to jump right in and start making whatever they want you to do. That involves having the right technical skills (digital or hand depending on…[Read more]

If you have the money, try this 😉
http://www.maingear.com/custom/desktops/quantumshift/index.php

I checked out the E31 and I would avoid buying that model because of the lack of a dedicated graphics card and it’s an i3. You should at least have an i5 or Xeon processor and I would recommend getting a Quadro card or a high-end gaming card (Quadro…[Read more]

If someone asked me that today, I would bust out my smartphone, Google Image it and show it to the alien. 10 seconds job done, no BS, quick and to the point, no money wasted 

A realistic entry-mid level LA is a lot of overtime, some sleepless nights, burning out, and some feeling of being a worthless tool. Oh and several years of eating rice and beans because you have to pay off your student loan debt.
Good luck.

gold mine, thanks

I also have a PC I’ve built myself, and it cost me a fraction of a Mac. Computers crash when it overheats, so if it is properly cooled, it should be ok.

Macs are great because they’ve engineered the heck out of it and support is as simple as going to the Apple store. PCs are a hit or miss. Unless you build your own machine and know what you’re…[Read more]

Autocad is available for Macs, no need to run Windows anymore. I recommend the more expensive Macs with a dedicated graphics card, you’ll need it for any 3d work.

Good work, though I would add more (or enlarge) persepctives to give your portfolio some punch. Plans and analysis are great, but they put people to sleep

See if you can get a head start by learning the computer programs LAs use. And take up photography, it helps you “see”.

I’d avoid getting a masters if you think it will give you a better chance at getting a job in LA. It won’t, and even if you do find a job, you’ll end up spending your entire life poor trying to pay off your student loan debt. If you want to actually learn more and are interested in theory/experimenting, then yes furthuring your education is a good…[Read more]

If your considering buying a laptop, the minimum specs should be, i5 with 2.4ghz (not the ultrabook version with 1.7ghz), at least 8gb ram, SSD or 7200rpm hard drive (you can always upgrade the hard drive later), and dedicated graphics card with at least 1gb. If you can afford it, a laptop with a bright screen that can show a high sRGB gamut is…[Read more]

3 reasons why I like la

1. We work with nature and sometimes solve complex environmental issues
2. We create outdoor public space, think of Bryant Park in NYC, or the Highline
3. We work at many scales from small gardens to large masterplans

I think it’s more because of the work we produce. In my opinion we are care less about breaking norms thus we produce more generic designs.  In my office I hear too much “this will be nice and comfortable for people”… boooooorrringggg. We need more projects and designers like Seattle’s Freeway Park by Halprin, or the Highline by JCFO in order t…[Read more]

According to the Landscape Urbanism Bullshit Generator, we “urbanize frictionless initiatives to enhance ephemeral systems”

you mean addons like grasshopper won’t work in MAC