How to Boost Your Representation Skills (and Actually Have Fun Doing It)
The Secret Sauce for Standing Out as an Architecture Student
We get it: representation is one of those buzzwords everyone throws around in architecture school, but no one really explains how to do it well. It’s not just about making pretty drawings or slapping a model on the table—it’s about telling a story, showing your process, and making people feel something.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Some incredible resources can teach you how to elevate your game. Let’s dive into some absolute goldmines for improving your representation skills and how to actually use them.
The President’s Medals Student Awards: Where the Best Show Off
Think of this as the Olympics of architecture student projects. The President’s Medals website is packed with award-winning work that doesn’t just look good—it tells a story.
What You’ll Learn:
Layouts That Work: The way these students organize their boards is next level. Pay attention to how they balance text, visuals, and white space.
Visual Storytelling: They connect site plans, sections, and renderings to create a seamless narrative.
Polished Presentation: Their work screams, “I know what I’m doing,” and you can learn how to achieve that same level of polish.
How to Use It:
Pick a few winning projects under the “Winners” tab that speak to you. Screenshot the site plans, diagrams, and renderings that stand out. Ask yourself: “Why does this work? How can I adapt this?”
Smout Allen: Imagination on Steroids
If you think architecture drawings are just lines and labels, Smout Allen will blow your mind. Their work is like a fever dream of speculative design, where landscapes and technology collide.
What You’ll Learn:
Think Bigger: They’re not just drawing buildings—they’re visualizing entire ecosystems and futuristic worlds.
Model Magic: Their physical models are insanely intricate. Look at how they use materials to tell a story.
Draw Like a Poet: Their drawings aren’t just technical; they’re emotional and imaginative.
How to Use It:
Grab inspiration for pushing the boundaries of your own work. Can you add a layer of storytelling to your sections? Can you experiment with models that explore a concept, not just form?
Luis Callejas is like the architect who always aces the mood. His work blends architecture, landscape, and storytelling in a way that feels natural (pun intended).
What You’ll Learn:
Atmosphere is Everything: His renderings make you feel the space. Lighting, textures, and people are all part of the magic.
Landscape Meets Architecture: He doesn’t just design buildings—he designs experiences.
Layer Your Diagrams: His mapping techniques show how to blend data and visuals seamlessly.
How to Use It:
Try adding atmosphere to your renderings. What story does your lighting tell? How does your site interact with its surroundings? Steal some of his mapping tricks to make your analysis pop.
conceptMODEL: The Pinterest of Models
If you’re a sucker for good models (and who isn’t?), this Tumblr is for you. It’s basically a mood board for anyone obsessed with craft and creativity.
What You’ll Learn:
Material Play: See how people use unexpected materials to create tactile, engaging models.
Scale is Key: Understand how to show big ideas in small, manageable ways.
Concept First: These models aren’t just pretty—they’re functional and communicate ideas.
How to Use It:
Scroll through and screenshot anything that catches your eye. Pay attention to the ones that make you think, “I wish I’d thought of that!” Then, try applying those ideas to your own concept models.
How to Actually Use These Resources
Step 1: Start Collecting
Screenshot your favorite site plans, sections, models, and renderings. Save them into folders labeled by type (e.g., "Site Plans," "Models"). Organize them in a way that makes it easy to revisit and analyze later.
Step 2: Break It Down
Ask yourself questions like:
Why does this work?
How do the visuals flow together?
What makes this model or rendering feel special?
Analyzing what draws you to certain examples will help you apply similar techniques to your own work.
Step 3: Pin It Up and Let It Inspire You
This step is where things get tactile. Print out the images that inspire you most—whether they’re for your current studio project, portfolio development, or just general representation skills. Pin them up near your workspace where you can see them every day.
Why Pin It Up?
It keeps your inspiration front and center, making it easier to stay motivated and on track.
Constant exposure to high-quality visuals reinforces good design habits.
It helps you analyze patterns in your references, giving you fresh ideas when you’re stuck.
Step 4: Apply What You Learn
Start small. Maybe you experiment with layering diagrams like Callejas or try organizing a presentation board like a President’s Medal winner. Use the images you’ve pinned as a guide to incorporate similar techniques into your work.
Step 5: Iterate and Experiment
The first attempt might not be perfect, and that’s okay. Representation skills improve through trial and error. Keep experimenting with different approaches, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re part of the process!
The Takeaway: Build Your Own Design Lab
Printing and pinning your references transforms your workspace into a mini-design lab. It’s a constant reminder of what’s possible and a push to elevate your own representation. Let these visuals challenge you, inspire you, and guide you toward your best work yet.
Remember: Representation isn’t just a skill—it’s how you communicate your ideas to the world. With the right inspiration and tools, you’ll create work that truly stands out. Now, go pin something up and get to work!