NEW APPRENTICE VIDEO
(above)

Peter Scales
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BA Communication
University of Colorado: 1999

Readings:

Drawing on the
Right Side of the Brain

Vitruvius

"It was not until after I'd graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Communication that I considered a career in architecture.

I spent a year traveling around the world, and finally had a chance to pause and reconsider my career path. Passing through Egypt, India, and Nepal, I realized I had always been interested in architecture, but never paid this interest its due.

I decided I owed it to myself to give it a try.

Upon returning home, I began to apply for entry level jobs with architecture firms.

The process could only be described as incredibly discouraging. Without formal architectural training or strong computer skills my chances for finding employment were slim.

I considered my options: I could scramble to put together an application for graduate school, or I could enroll in a crash course in AutoCAD and hope to gain enough skills to get drafting work. Neither of theses options were fulfilling. I not only needed to gain technical skills, I needed to learn about architecture and gain some insight into the field. The solution came when I learned about the apprentice program at Architects Toolbox.

What’s unique about the Architects Toolbox Apprentice Program, is that the course of formal and self-study is custom-built.

Then, as now, my goal was to get experience in the field for a year before formally applying to graduate school. Together we mapped out a course of action, the skills I set to attain, the vision I had for a portfolio and desire for a web site.

First and foremost, the Apprentice Program offered the opportunity for me to immerse myself in the next generation of design tools. I’d had some previous experience with Photoshop, but had never even heard of form•Z before speaking with David. Before long I was sitting in my first form•Z workshop, marvelling at the capabilities of this powerful design tool. Like the other students in the class, I was amazed at how David had simplified this complex software with his 5-Step Toolbar and intuitive approach. I began to feel that with time and practice, I too could master this program.

My first opportunity to apply my new skills was in a Skill Building Project. I was to create and manage a symbol library of over 40 vehicle models that would be used by Architects Toolbox clients in their own work. Work on this project taught me precision modeling and helped develop greater speed and accuracy using the software. I learned how to manage a form•Z project and troubleshoot when problems arose.

As my knowledge and confidence strengthened, I was able to provide face-to-face support to workshop participants. Teaching is a great way of learning, and providing assistance to students reinforced all that I had learned. One of the greatest benefits of the apprentice program was the repetition and continuous exposure to form•Z. By the end of my apprenticeship, I had been involved with the form•Z workshop five or six times, learning something new with each workshop. Working on Skill Building Projects between workshops with unrestricted access to the instructor, further solidified my skills.

The highlight of my architectural education during the apprenticeship was a trip to Chicago to see the works of legendary American architects.

Traveling with David to an offering of workshops in Chicago provided me the opportunity to see in the flesh the work of greats such as Wright, Adler, Sullivan, Burnham, and others. A special tour of the Auditorium Theater and Wright’s Unity Temple reminded both of us that no amount of reading history books or staring at slides can come close to the experience of actually being surrounded by an architectural masterpiece. Whether it was seeing light fall through the stained glass in Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio, or staring skyward at the innumerable architectural achievements downtown, we were again refreshed in the beauty of what draws us both to architecture. What an incredible learning experience!

While building these valuable technical skills, I also built my knowledge of architecture in general.

For me, the best way to learn about architecture and design was to be immersed in it every day. Architects Toolbox provided me that exposure. During after-lunch reading sessions of Vitruvius, I delved into bits of architectural history. Discussions in the studio spurred debates on architectural theory. The apprentice program not only exposed me to architecture, but also to practicing architects. Engaging with design professionals in the workshops and hearing about their practice created a stimulating work environment. Discussing their varied uses for form•Z opened my eyes to areas of the design field I had never imagined.

For anyone considering the apprentice program, I think that you must first take an honest assessment of your goals. In other words, what do you want to take from this experience? I hoped to gain marketable computer skills, develop a portfolio, work toward applying for graduate school, and learn about architecture in general. There are no other programs I know of that might be able to produce these results over the a duration of a few months. But be forewarned: The Architects Toolbox apprenticeship is a complete and full-time commitment. Realize also that this is a “time trade”, meaning all work is unpaid. This being said, the apprenticeship can be an enormously beneficial experience for the right person.

As someone who really needed a start in the field of architecture, I now take stock of the technical skills I have gained.

I feel not only a sense of accomplishment in the models that I can now design, but more importantly, I feel confident in my ability and grasp of form•Z. I venture out into the job market again, this time with renewed confidence, knowing that I can make important contributions. I leave the program with marketable skills, and a portfolio showcasing my accomplishments. The pieces are in place for me to put together a solid graduate school application. I also developed knowledge of the architecture field and a renewed appreciation and love for design. The apprenticeship transformed me from someone with only an interest in architecture, to an active participant."

—Peter Scales