Tosh K

One of the worst misconception in design schools is that perspectives are representations of the experience of designed spaces – which it clearly is not.  I think we’ve all been taught that the section and plan are far better at conveying the spatial relationships of a design, especially for tighter spaces.  Peripheral vision is not covered in a p…[Read more]

Perspective sketching is still being taught at some schools, with mixed results.  It is most often a very useful tool if you get enough practice to be able to do it well in front of a client quickly.

I generally respond poorly to digital trees – the texturing and leaf qualities (too much of the same) just looks bad.  Our clients generally will respond to hand sketches over a poor digital drawing.  I’ve usually just shot images with the base Rhino renderer, though the mapping on Vray and Maxwell work well (Maxwell softens the architecture n…[Read more]

I recall the renderings playing up the size of the boulder and the slot being more precarious – hopefully the scale of it makes the experience worth it.  Sometimes I get the same feeling with Serra’s torus sculptures, but the feeling of being inside is quite magical.

I think the main reason LAs use it less than building architects is that plant libraries in every software I’ve used is pretty pathetic.  We have a need, particularly for trees to set branching form, etc (I think some software is slowly getting there).  Often our office finds it easier to whip up a SketchUp or Rhino base model and photoshop in a…[Read more]

With fees being as tight as it is, it’s not very common to see so much time-off or perks.  A lot of the ‘platinum package’ benefits are ways for financial and dot-com companies to provide a larger compensation package but keep within specific tax brackets, etc.
That being said, some larger design firms do provide gym memberships (usually offset…[Read more]

i second geofoam, just account for uplift.

I worked there for a short ‘extern’ (glorified week long office visit).  I had met Kongjian on his visit to our school and inquired about spending some time in his office at that time.  There aren’t very many english speakers overall, but enough that I could contribute to some extent – worked on a couple of parks and helped crit a charette for a n…[Read more]

It’s used for riparian flow analysis, movement of sand along a coastline, microclimate analysis (wind), etc; all useful in larger scale landscape analysis and design, but I’m not sure what the OP is going for.  Defining a word is, odd.  Maybe a number of posts are required for class?

This is an engineering question – structural to be specific.  Maybe STAAD?  I’m sure the engineers that do this (MEs and SEs) have a proprietary software. 

Any writing, especially short 1~2 page essays / project descriptions; I generally write a couple paragraphs/project in my portfolio for that purpose (I was a history major in undergrad so there really wasn’t a need for longer samples).
Technical writing class in engineering school covered was proposals, project profiles, memorandums (internal to…[Read more]

ok… i’m not entirely sure what ‘modern pavement’ is, but the patterns on the bolduc site are available on cgtextures ‘BrickOldMixedSize’ – modern to me is more bond layout than ashlar.  One option may be to get a manufacturer to give you a texture file that you can then created tile-able images from (cgtextures tiled images are only about 600…[Read more]

Well I guess that’s new.  Considering the liability it’s just as well.

I think sketchup comes with an ashlar pattern.  You can just grab that from the file and use it in photoshop.

I believe that you can start taking the exams while in school in VA.
CLARB registration is required for the exams as of late.
If you have questions I would ask your local ASLA chapter.

I would think work experience trumps the MUD, especially since you already have a BLA and (soon) MUP, there’s a point when paper (diplomas) has diminishing returns.  Short of heading straight into academia, I’m not convinced another degree is the right path, unless the specific firms are heavy on alumni from particular programs.  It’s been my i…[Read more]

You may want to enlighten us on why you want to do one / what you would like to do with one.  There are a wide range of programs, each with pros/cons that will prepare you for different trajectories.

I seem to recall online videos that were ‘sold’ via subscription by an enterprising designer (these were admittedly not ‘interactive’ but the person did very well for themselves.
A lot would depend on the market (how many are you competing with and how much does a client foresee making by being able to leverage what you teach them).

to follow Andrew’s question – what do you mean by default? In my experience there is no ‘default’ I pick the tool that is best suited for a task, each has it’s use.

Have a full digital portfolio (ISSUU or similar) online for viewing.  I would also send out hard copy cover letter (where you can highlight your interest in the area as well as the firm), CV and work samples (3~5 pages max).
It’s best if you can make a trip out and hit a bunch of firms for informational interviews; if you can afford to visit…[Read more]