Kind of has to do with the forum - Architecture

Information about me;
Year 12, A level - Business,Spanish and Sociology
I have already checked the requirements and I’m good with GCSES - just need to work the A levels..
I’m now thinking of being an architect but I don’t have the drawing skills or like ever drawn a house or anything like that - even though I don’t do art or design , and I if do improve my drawing skills by the end of the year - would they still take me.

The way to improve your drawing is through practice. Get a small sketchbook and make an effort to draw/sketch something every day for half an hour. Pick something to draw everyday that is in front of you and 3 dimensions. If you like then draw the same object every day from different angles for a while and then switch onto something else, then bring two objects together etc etc. Just practice capturing the 3d objects you're looking at in 2d. It will start off rubbish but you'll be surprised how quickly you improve. If you can then also join a drawing group/life drawing classes so that you can get used to drawing with other people.

It might be worth signing up to a portfolio summer school too. They're not cheap but it would be a really useful way to get some experience working with models/3d design. Without a creative A level I would recommend you go for a longer 3 week course if you can so you have enough time to really develop some good finished pieces (they're good fun too - and you get to experience university life a bit!). There's a few out there that include architecture specialism:
https://aub.ac.uk/courses/summer-courses/preparation-summer-courses/portfolio-preparation-arts/
https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/fine-art/short-courses/teenagers/creating-a-project-portfolio-for-16-to-18-year-olds-csm# (only a week)
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/events/portfolio-preparation-for-art-and-design---summer-course/ (only 5 days)
https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/find-your-course/art-design/short-courses/2018-19/art-and-design-portfolio-for-15-17-year-olds (only 5 days)
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/programmes/short-courses/bartlett-summer-school-2019 (up to 3 weeks - but they can be a bit picky if you don't already have a portfolio)
https://www.westminster.ac.uk/courses/professional-and-short-courses/architecture-and-interiors/access-to-architecture-summer-school (3 days and ran last year - you'd need to contact them to find out if its running this summer).

If you can then also join a drawing group/life drawing classes so that you can get used to drawing with other people.

It might be worth signing up to a portfolio summer school too. They're not cheap but it would be a really useful way to get some experience working with models/3d design.

Do you know if there any summer schools that do it for free, I’m looking at these prices and I can already tell that it’s too much money.

thing is I can envision the design or drawing in my head but I can’t draw it🤨 but I’m also thankful for you giving me links so that they I can improve

Where about in the country are you? there might be something more local that would be available for free at weekends.

I live in London, honestly thank you so much because of your knowledge and research my path of becoming an architect is a step closer

Maybe try getting in touch with https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/undergraduate-applying-to-ravensbourne/application-workshops-and-advice/ - the free support was all last term but if you email them [email protected] and explain your situation then they might be able to tell you about anything suitable that's coming up.

Alternatively there's:
https://royaldrawingschool.org/courses/young-artists/young-associates/ (offers discounts for low income households)
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/creative-sessions (free sessions)
https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/events-calendar.php?filterDate=&eventSearch=drop-in+drawing&eventType=&eventKeyword free
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/national-saturday-club-masterclass
https://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/programmes/workshops (a bunch of different topics - different prices)
https://designmuseum.org/whats-on/friday-night-sketch-being-human free

I'm sure there's others at smaller museums too

Omds sorry to disturb again😂😂😅😅, I have a question - you see how architects draw the projects or buildings in like lines and that (meaning squares, rectangles you get the meaning), would I have to do the same thing because I would prefer to draw the house itself ??

Do you mean different perspective techniques? If so then that's something you can learn about and use - but it's not compulsory in a portfolio (you might find that it's something that you would like to play with or can use to improve your drawings though - there's lots of tutorials online about using 1/2/3 point perspective). It is something that you'll likely be taught to use as part of your degree though.

I've found a few more possible courses and workshops to look at https://www.architecture.com/whats-on/skill-up-flexible-spaces and https://www.architecture.com/whats-on/explore-and-draw-kings-cross-locality (RIBA will likely have other things running over the summer - if you're in London then they're well worth getting involved with to get the chance to talk to practicing architects)

SORRY AGAINNN, so Ik that I need a portfolio to do architecture in uni , but one of the art teachers from my school said that I needed GCSE art or A level Art in order to do one??? 😕

Information about me;
Year 12, A level - Business,Spanish and Sociology
I have already checked the requirements and I’m good with GCSES - just need to work the A levels..
I’m now thinking of being an architect but I don’t have the drawing skills or like ever drawn a house or anything like that - even though I don’t do art or design , and I if do improve my drawing skills by the end of the year - would they still take me.

Hi @Michikooo

With a lot of the BA Architecture courses they will want to see a portfolio of work during your interview so I would suggest working on your own projects and building your drawing skills enough to get your idea across. Apart from your GCSE and A-Levels interviewers will also be on the lookout for your knowledge within the industry so think about designers and go to galleries or just look at buildings. If you have the passion to learn and they can see the potential in your portfolio and during the interview you should be fine but if you are really worried about your drawing skills I would recommend maybe even doing a foundation year. It's a great year to experiment and become independent. University courses are completely different from A-Levels and so doing a foundation year will help you with the speed and independence needed for a BA course. It will also be a fun year to get your portfolio ready by doing quick projects while in a university setting.

Ravensbourne also offers a BA Architecture course which is highly industry based. You will be taught by industry professionals while doing live briefs. Our students regularly win competitions and start interning while still in university. If you want to know more about the course and the industry opportunities within them I would recommend coming to an open day. During the open day you will also be able to go to a portfolio workshop to meet someone and talk about what should be in your portfolio.

We also offer summer school for Architecture if you are in the London area and want to see how the course will be like as well as a chance to experience the building.

I hope this has helped and if you have more questions please feel free to ask.

Row