I distinctly remember reading student's blogs dating back as far as I could trying to find information on what exactly I would be doing in my studio here. I never got a clear answer, so I vowed to myself that I would include a guide to understanding studios at DIS. So here it goes!
Each semester, DIS offers 3 or 4 studios. Fall Semester: Architecture, Urban Design, and Graphic Design. Spring Semester: All of the previous plus Interior Design.
Each of those studios has two levels: "professional" or foundations. Typically the "professional" level is for students studying architecture at their home university and has completed at least 2 full years of studio prior to attending DIS.
Each studio is broken into separate studios... for example, this semester there are 32 "professional" architecture studio students and we were sorted into 3 different studios each with a different professor. The Architecture and Design office places each student in the studio, so there is no option to choose your teacher and there is rarely movement between studios. There are 11 students (including me) in my studio and our professor is the ever amazing Eva Frederiksen.
Each studio professor has their own syllabus and projects you will be working on. So here is where I get to talk about the fun stuff...
Each of those studios has two levels: "professional" or foundations. Typically the "professional" level is for students studying architecture at their home university and has completed at least 2 full years of studio prior to attending DIS.
Each studio is broken into separate studios... for example, this semester there are 32 "professional" architecture studio students and we were sorted into 3 different studios each with a different professor. The Architecture and Design office places each student in the studio, so there is no option to choose your teacher and there is rarely movement between studios. There are 11 students (including me) in my studio and our professor is the ever amazing Eva Frederiksen.
Each studio professor has their own syllabus and projects you will be working on. So here is where I get to talk about the fun stuff...
My First Studio Project Abroad!
Eva has us working on designing a Harbor Bath, aka the Danes' favorite summertime hangout. We have been working on this project since the first week of school, but it has been a very "chill" project. Nowhere near the amount of work I was expecting from previous experiences with studio at home. I know for a fact other studios have been going nuts working on their projects for the last several weeks, but our studio has been productive in a very relaxed way. Even in class last Tuesday, Eva was so calm about the fact the project is due is one week. "Oh you have a ton of time, you each could redesign your project and still have time!" She definitely over estimates our time management capabilities, as a lot of people are currently scrambling.
I have changed my project approximately 98374 times (on par for me) before I finally decided on the direction I wanted to take it, but I am happy with where it has settled. I feel like I'm in a good place with my project. I have my technical drawings 75% done and my model at about the same. I just have to do my perspectives and finishing touches of watercolor. I love DIS because while they say its okay to use the computer to complete your project, they put an emphasis on how unique and beautiful hand drafting and renderings can be. Doing things by hand is my forte, so I am very happy.
Our projects are due on Wednesday even though we present on Thursday/Friday. Plotting is due Wednesday at 9 am and the entire presentation pinned up, ready to go at 10 pm.
I will post more about how critiques work (assuming I survive) on Thursday after the dust settles and I can breathe the air that apparently exists outside studio again!
I have changed my project approximately 98374 times (on par for me) before I finally decided on the direction I wanted to take it, but I am happy with where it has settled. I feel like I'm in a good place with my project. I have my technical drawings 75% done and my model at about the same. I just have to do my perspectives and finishing touches of watercolor. I love DIS because while they say its okay to use the computer to complete your project, they put an emphasis on how unique and beautiful hand drafting and renderings can be. Doing things by hand is my forte, so I am very happy.
Our projects are due on Wednesday even though we present on Thursday/Friday. Plotting is due Wednesday at 9 am and the entire presentation pinned up, ready to go at 10 pm.
I will post more about how critiques work (assuming I survive) on Thursday after the dust settles and I can breathe the air that apparently exists outside studio again!