Part 1 - How To Survive Critique In Architecture: The Unspoken Mindset

[@SketchyArc]

The first tip "separate yourself from the project is already so powerful" I'll definitely keep this in mind!

[@Archimarathon]

Surprisingly simple and obvious yet also very easy to forget. Having the right mindset goes a long way

[@kudzaishemakweta211]

I love the way you stitch together the academic side and professional side of architecture. That for me renders the information timeless and priceless. Keep up the good work, it’s inspiring 🙏

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. And the bits about the mind is useful for everyday too

[@harpersherman2753]

Great advice, it seems too often that fellow students create proposals solely to please the tutor and then react negatively when they get critiqued. The critique really is a collaborative learning experience and a conversation - rather than a final product.

[@Archimarathon]

I guess the jacked up emotions make an innocent (but important) question seem like an “attack” and that “the tutor doesn’t like it”. Everything is distorted when the mindset is incorrect.

[@youyuanliang7422]

Hey guys thanks for the practical tips for archi students! I love testing ideas and practicing my designing skills in uni but I suffered so much from design critiques and now I couldn't even talk about my ideas in studios because of my anxiety. Wish somebody has taught me more before my issue got any worse, just want you guys know your videos can help so many starters and inspire others, keep up with the great content!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. I hope our videos have helped you with anxiety even now.

[@janebarlogie7408]

This advice is so good. I enjoy architecture but I'm studying to become a teacher. I'm sharing this video to other students from my cohort because it's so useful and the same principles can be applied to many university assessments regardless of industry. Thank you.

[@Archimarathon]

It can be applied to many presentations in general.

[@gabybordino6024]

Great video! You´ve nailed it again! I always remember a tutor I had at Uni who used to say " My critic is about the project, not about your person" It was a great lesson I like to take into consideration when I receive comments about my work, and I hope I´ve learned the lesson, and make my students feel the same way I felt back in time

[@Archimarathon]

Yes and knowing how the brain works also helps.

[@gabybordino6024]

​@@Archimarathon It helps a lot, and it´s also fascinating

[@hurtecho]

Another personal favorite!

[@itsdarlene6368]

Thank you guys for your videos!

[@WelcomeToSteph]

Excellent advice as I prepare for interim over the next two weeks! Also, so far this year I have drawn WAY MORE than usual and am taking an adjusted mindset to everything, which really was driven by the advice in these videos. Thanks Kev and Andrew.

[@Archimarathon]

You are welcome. You got this!

[@aldrichjohn10]

Super impressed with the editing! It is also a meaningful discussion about how you both explain in a simpler way how our brain reacts and works especially in stress and people's handling emotions. Useful generally not also in architecture but genuinely in life. 🤓

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. It’s an eye opener with the understanding of the primitive brain.

[@pompei1009]

If only I watched this 12 years ago in my final year! Anyway, great episode, add to favourite, looking forward to the next episode!

[@Archimarathon]

What we talked about are useful in the profession and for everyday life as well

[@pompei1009]

@@Archimarathon Indeed~

[@aqua123]

I am not even an architect and I am glad I watched this.

[@Archimarathon]

Good to hear. It’s applicable to many things

[@ethanscotney9999]

love the video, can't wait for part 2

[@Archimarathon]

Cheers. Stay hydrated in the meantime.

[@christophermoody1448]

Nice! Something that I've learned and constantly remind myself to do in a crit is to ask the jurors 2 questions. What is it about the project that needs work? What is it about the project that works? That way, I found myself doing more listening and less reacting, and less feeling angry. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Thanks for sharing!

[@Archimarathon]

Good idea

[@susieare]

I wish you guys were around when I did my undergraduate :) great tips which will still help me now. Thank you!

[@Archimarathon]

Good luck.

[@brendanleadbeater9400]

I have been invited to be a guest critique for the first time at my alma mater by a former professor, and I have to say, I am very nervous about it. Thankfully, I happened upon this video which touched on many of the psychological issues I am experiencing, specifically the example given regarding feeling pressure to make a comment when you don't have much to say. It will be as much of a learning experience for the students as it will be for me.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it’s the best way to learn. Congratulations and enjoy the journey

[@Archimarathon]

Also make sure you watch Part 2 of this

[@danzhou1079]

This is dope! Enjoying it! Wish I had this 15 years ago.

[@Archimarathon]

Still applicable to many other presentation situations regardless.

[@milesmatic2872]

Love your take on architecture! Learned a lot :)

[@Archimarathon]

Happy to hear!!

[@Alpine1]

Great video :)

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks!!

[@valdas9874]

Great video!

[@Archimarathon]

Ačiū

[@conradjabo]

Wow this is great guys 👏

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. Glad you find it useful.

[@itsdarlene6368]

I think these are such interesting points to take when going into practice, the thing about my school is that teachers really are heavy on you being super confident in your work and selling and defending it. So it's really bad if they ask why and you say something like 'idk'.. Even if you didnt something without a particular reason they would prefer you to make something up and sell it so your project or work can be more 'convincing'. But that's only for our final crits on the projects we get. They expect to be convinced. I'm not someome that has looked at architecture as my artwork or design piece but to more its more about solutions and solving problems. I've never really taken offence to anything. I just look for what they are trying to help me improve. When they just start saying stuff because they simply don't like it, that's when it's a little weird. I havent really encountered that. But I have encountered situations where even though its not perfect, they say they just like it lol...

[@Archimarathon]

That’s why it is important to have critique drills before the final. Address the problems or be aware of them before being completely shocked and not thought of it before when the spotlights are all on you and hormones are running wild in your body.

[@Archimarathon]

Refer to the Post Justification episode

[@computationdesign]

I am Rwandan student and currently study in second year in architecture, Andrew I dream to be your intern one day Because Andrew, you and Kevin are amazing bond and I can imagine, how much you can learn from you, if you are intern in your office

[@Archimarathon]

@Maynard Architects

[@wrongcreativity]

I think I'd be terrified to have Andrew crit my work. Just worried he'd comment on my back swing and my terrible draw in a Par 5 drive but confident with my short game at least.

[@Archimarathon]

Lol

[@aryaakshay4803]

Namaskar great mindset Best of 🙏🙏👍

[@Archimarathon]

Glad you liked it.

[@jakelelievre8057]

wow so true imo

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Jake.

[@charlessale409]

Wish I watched this last night before today’s train wreck 🤣🤙

[@Archimarathon]

There is always the next time. This mindset is for life

[@Dev1nci]

1:34 if you’re going to a crit any time soon and you choose the words ‘my user group’ make sure you have something valuable or unusual to say about your user group. I can just see myself copy-pasting a phrasing like that and not having a good answer 🙈

[@herdesign9234]

Thats true sometimes instructors dont teach everything so they have something to critic you at the end of a project, I noticed this and I was like omg! If you as a student don't know how can they teach at the same time? But like it creates a huge gap between students all learning very differently and all probably not learning it correctly since every project is different, which is hilarious to think about.

[@Archimarathon]

I hope it’s just a case of something they didn’t see before instead of intentionally holding back

[@arnasagen8077]

As a perfectionist I’d be horrified if someone said “That’s a good effort!”. I would with without a doubt interpreted that as “This is not very good!”. Can you ask Andrew to chuck his parental guides in the DeLorean and set it to circa 1983 please?

[@Fatlou_]

Roll into Backwards ???? Good stuff

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah why not.

[@Sy2023hk]

Think we'd all like to be open and honest with ourselves but that usually turns upside down when Reputation, politics and money are involved.

[@Archimarathon]

We are just human.

[@Nynke_K]

Cliffhanger!

[@Archimarathon]

Don’t stress. Calm down.

[@Nynke_K]

@@Archimarathon hahahaha! I'm not stressed, just really curious :)

[@Dev1nci]

I think students hard-sell their projects because marks are involved. You feel the need to discuss less and defend more because you don’t want to fail. Also many lecturers say it’s a discussion and tell you to test ideas with them and then attack even other lecturers who disagree slightly. I have a feeling you both aren’t like that but that’s why defensiveness happens I think.

[@Archimarathon]

Change your mindset.

[@Nick_fb]

Evolutionary psychology?? Science has had the social outsider success story for a very long time, I don't understand the need for low key evolutionary psychology in an academic setting.