Have you ever wonder what other careers you can pursue with a degree in architecture? We can often feel a societal weight to stay in our field of studies, but I can assure you that’s not the case. I think it’s safe to say that life will close and open doors that lead us to unimaginable places, for example, me! Although still pursuing architecture, I never imagined that I can call myself a writer. The wonderful thing about architecture is the number of skills gained from school. Design thinking and creative problem-solving are critical skills that are transferrable to any creative industry!
Here are some alternative careers that architects can transition to! Keep in mind, titles within each industry can be different so do some research on the role you are considering.
Social Media + Marketing Coordinator
The experience of creating attention-grabbing visuals for project presentations is a universal skill needed for social media and marketing coordinators too! You use skills of observation to determine layout, color, font, and engaging visuals in order for companies to leverage and gain traction.
In fact, bigger architecture firms look for marketing coordinators so it’s possible to explore other facets of the architecture industry too! If you find yourself constantly surfing through social media or love creating captivating visuals then this path may be for you!
UX/UI Design
As hopes of a better future looming over us, technological advancement continues! This ever-growing industry works toward creating the best user experience for both physical and digital products and services. UX/UI design and architecture share this common goal and both utilize skills in human psychology, design, and business.
UX design is often used interchangeably with UI design, however, UI design is a small branch of UX. Below you’ll find a summary of the two but click the links for an in-depth breakdown from Interaction-Design, a known platform for UX/UI design.
A UX designer is concerned about the entire process of a product, including branding, design, and usability and function. Don Norman, the inventor of the term “User Experience” eloquently put,
“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all the stages of a product or service – from initial intentions through final reflections, from first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.”
UX designers consider the Why, What, and How for a product.
To read more about UX, Click here.
This small branch of UX concerns itself with visual design and accessibility for the public. Think about how you navigate any food ordering service and how simple it was! UI designers plays a huge part in our unconscious bias towards mobile apps and websites.
UI design is more concerned with the surface and overall feel of a design.
To read more about UI, Click here.
Animation
The ability to conceptualize and bring a narrative to life using 3D modeling and visualization applies to animation as it does to architecture! If you enjoy modeling, rendering, and story-telling then animation may be an alternative career for you!
Also if hand-drawing is in your arsenal then other roles like an illustrator or manga artist can fall under this category too. The animation industry contains various roles that we can’t begin to list all! So if you have a career in animation, we encourage you to let others know in the comments below.
Film Direction + Production
This is perfect for those who are “big picture” people with strong project management skills and are able to craft a compelling story would be interested in the film industry. While architecture school may not have taught the technical skills of film, the soft and artistic skills are easily transferrable.
Let’s not forget about background design too! I have a friend from Cal Poly that was more interested in designing movie backgrounds than buildings. This was the first time I even thought or heard of this career path for architects. This is a great combination if you are interested in the film direction but still want some aspect of architectural design.
Product + Craft Design
This can cover anything from everyday objects to more crafted and handmade items such as pottery or jewelry. Product design is particularly for those who enjoy the more tactile design experience.
This category can fall under industrial design too! However, industrial designers typically take a useful product that serves a purpose and increases its functionality or aesthetics.
Textile Design
Contrary to popular belief, architects do wear more than black, gray, or white clothing! Since the pandemic caused us to stay indoors, there haven’t been many opportunities to show off new outfits, hairstyles, or anything this year. Nonetheless, this is a great alternative for my fashion-loving architects!
Construction and fashion are the two of the most wasteful industries on the planet, which has given rise to sustainable alternatives to many traditional material choices. If you have an interest in material sourcing and selection, particularly in alternative and sustainable materials, textile design may be for you.
Data Visualization
With an unlimited amount of information available to us today, data visualization makes data easier to digest and more visually appealing. Data visualization would be suitable for those who enjoy information analysis and are able to present in an engaging way to a wider audience.
An extreme, but a great example of someone who specializes in data visualization is Michael DiBenigno on Tiktok. He combines data visualization with augmented reality to uniquely display data in a digestible manner. You can find his videos on Tiktok @the.data.guy