Travel Like An Architect (My Habits)

See how I travel as an architect from the gear I bring, to my sketching and photography habits. This simple process for observing and documenting your trips - near or far - will make you a better designer. (Be sure to stick around at 4:46...wait for it...!)
My travel kit is as lean as it’s ever been, just a sketchbook, a few drawing tools, my camera gear and a small laptop. You don’t need an expensive camera or special tools to follow this process. The DSLR is an intentional choice for me as it forces me to slow down when I'm traveling. It makes me think about lens selection and composition, the subject, the lighting. It’s probably the single best investment I’ve made in the past 10 years (aside from travel). Use whatever you have with you.
For lenses on this trip I brought a wide zoom, a medium zoom, a telephoto and a macro. And this was way too many. Lenses are heavy and to lug these things around in a backpack in the tropics is…well, sweaty. Of the four I brought along, I used the 24-70mm and the 100mm most of the time. The zoom is great because the 24mm end on a full frame camera is wide enough to capture landscapes or interiors, the 70mm is perfect for details and right around 50mm is great for portraits. So this one lens covers a lot of situations. An interesting challenge is to limit yourself to one focal length for a day and see how creative you can get with it. It’s especially helpful for forcing you out of a rut.
The laptop is super portable and light, it's a stripped down MacBook Air which I use to edit my photos + video and for writing a little each day.
You'll learn why I reject guidebooks in general, my process for observing, documenting and then cataloguing my travels and you'll see what I do in the downtime between destinations.
Time Stamps:
0:22 Start Now. Don’t wait until you arrive at your destination to start taking photos or sketching.
0:42 Follow 30by40 on Instagram: thirtybyforty.com/instagram
0:49 Travel Essentials.
1:28 My Routine (Shoot then Sketch)
1:55 Subjects. Not everything has to be architectural.
2:53 Details + Materials = Experience. Learn to observe the world this way.
4:46 Wait for it…
4:55 Has this ever happened to you? Relaxing on the beach and out of nowhere…!?
The Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn, NY was designed by the London Architecture Firm: Michaelis Boyd and completed in 2017. We actually had no plans to stay here, but we arrived in NYC to an early season snowstorm and our connecting flight back to Maine was canceled. Our flight the following day wasn’t due to leave until 10pm, so at my better half’s urging, we traveled from JFK airport to Williamsburg in Brooklyn and spent the next 24 hours exploring the neighborhood and staying in this fantastic hotel. Completely worth the little bit of extra effort to get there from JFK.
Links (**):
Camera Gear: thirtybyforty.com/my-photo-gear
Sketchbook: thirtybyforty.com/kraft-sketch...
White pen: thirtybyforty.com/gelly-roll
Markers: thirtybyforty.com/copic-sketch...
Laptop: thirtybyforty.com/air
#architecture #architect #travel
**Affiliate links cost you nothing extra, but they send a small commission my way to help cover the cost of making these videos. A sincere thanks for helping support my work!
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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
• Making a Site Model - ...
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[@30by40]

Hey, it's good to be back...travel kit details here: thirtybyforty.com/blog/travel-habits-of-an-architect

[@pisodemarcia]

Could you upload a guide of all the classes you took to become an architect please....cuz at my school they keep making me take more and more unneeded classes!!!

[@30by40]

oh man...I was in school 25 years ago...surely things have changed! as I remember it: design studio represented the bulk of the credit work each semester, add in: theory, history (4+ semesters), acoustics, mechanical systems, lighting, construction technology, construction detailing, site planning, structures, urban planning, some anthropomorphic classes...CAD, 3D modeling, and a whole lot of general education credits...I'm probably missing things...

[@ozhazem]

What is 30x40 means ?

[@30by40]

Here you go: thirtybyforty.com/blog/whats-a-30x40

[@MinecraftAnPhil]

30X40 Design Workshop hey! Just zabres to tell you that the link in your bio to thé copic markers is not working anymore :/

[@ozhazem]

Thank you Sometimes architecture disappoint .but the way you presenting it . gives me the feeling of satisfaction and hope .

[@30by40]

that's fantastic to hear my friend...! chin up...we get to choose what it looks like nowadays!

[@ShowItBetter]

Wow, wow, wow. This is just on another level. Thanks Eric!!

[@30by40]

That means a lot coming from you my friend! Really appreciate it...

[@paulodeoliveira3368]

I was almost embarrassed to tell anyone that I sketch when on holiday. Then you go and make me feel normal again. Bravo!

[@Rascoh]

In my first semester of architecture school, we're told that we'll learn to see the world differently. This is a testament to that notion. We live in a fast-paced world, and oftentimes, everything around us seems to blur together to the point where the finest details go unnoticed. "God is in the details", as Mies once said, and I can absolutely relate to everything you've mentioned here. Thank you for reminding us to slow down and appreciate the journey, and to challenge our creative vision along the way.

[@30by40]

well said my friend...enjoy your time in architecture school, it's an immensely gratifying journey you're embarking on...

[@Josh-sh6sq]

Your so fucking right...

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Wow, as an anthropologist, photographer and someone who has only a short time ago started to feel the aspiration to become an architect, this was superb! Very relatable and certainly resonates with me. Exceptional production quality too! Thanks for the hard work and inspiration!

[@30by40]

thanks for watching (and noticing) Timothy...🙏

[@neerithedragon298]

Its amazing how you bring these awesome things on a basic down to earth level. No false pretenses or cloudy artistic doodaa.

[@30by40]

appreciate that my friend...thanks for watching (and noticing)...

[@TheBluePandaNinja]

As an architecture student, god...you give me life man, Make me remember why I'm studying this beautiful career

[@whitleybennett7613]

The way you talk about architecture and design spring joy in my heart and hope in my soul. Your perspective is beautiful.

[@lightwavz]

I am a mixed media artist and photographer, but I always gravitate back to my foundation, analog drafting and analog graphic design. Your channel hits me right in my core with a bolt of electricity to keep bringing the old back into the new as just another layer (even with the iPad, which is how I found your channel to begin with). Thank you!

[@mohmih18]

Fact : I can never find better content on youtube than yours, truely apreciate your effort to make ART.

[@andrewwalker5164]

This is definitely one of my favourite videos that you've done. It has made me want to go back and look at some of my travel photos from years ago and see what i can sketch from them and try to re-live and remember those places.

[@danplace8226]

I must say the way you make the most boring or weird things we see day to day an art form and you do that with lots of different things and it makes you videos brilliant and inspiring that draw people like me into the world of architecture

[@UU-ls7xy]

How you bring yourself fully into architecture is just so amazing. I'm in my final (sixth) year of architectural study and I feel like the humdrum of uni work to just 'produce, produce, produce' overrides my life experience of spaces. This is video inspires me to be more present in my here and now (as well as in my travel adventures). Thank you for this!

[@sheilamiyienda6083]

I'm in my fifth year...I really relate to what you're saying...in uni it's all about producing producing producing...argh.😫😫

[@GeniusD18]

I love your channel man. I'm a Civil Engineer (In Training) and damn, I WISH there was a channel like this related to my discipline. Your aesthetic and high quality teachings/videos are unreal.

[@knga1xz]

Me too im civil engineering but this guy made me everyday to be an architect

[@changyoungcho]

You are just amazing architect. I always learn from you, for now you are the only one teacher. Thanks a lot.

[@30by40]

Cheers mate...thank you...

[@spearsoll]

Eric, your channel is excellent- a perfect combination of poetry, artistry and utility. Every time i stop by to check your stuff out, I am nudged in the right direction. Keep it up and thanks for taking the time to produce this channel with such quality.

[@allanleonardo952]

Man, I'm from Brazil. And I have to tell you that. I was giving up the architecture course, but watching your videos I could see that what I was doing was totally wrong. You gave me a light how to do it right. You're amazing dude. Congrats.

[@TheNatachaTH]

I'm almost finished with my architecture and urbanism studies, I'm from Portugal, I'm doing my graduation project, it's been a very stressful period in my academic life and you gave me the motivation I needed. Thank you for the videos, I really like your channel, I haven't seen all of them yet but they are making me learn a lot, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@diagramation]

thanks Eric for your time to make these fantastic videos

[@imadasmone8915]

Refreshing.... 💙

[@ericnicastro]

I stayed at that same hotel once and it was beautiful! My favorite detail was the woodwork when you walk in to take the elevator down to the lobby. I loved how the wall panels curved into the ceiling to create on continuous pattern. I really did not feel like I was staying in a hotel. It felt much more relaxed and very comfortable.

[@30by40]

so many good details...I was completely travel weary when I arrived so didn't grab as many details as I should've...great place though...

[@itx_alish]

I started loving my degree after watching your videos. Thank you so much for showing us the positive side of architecture ❤

[@jaspalflora4511]

Thanks for a good perspective and open mindedness of all things. I'm not an architect, but respects a lot for new designs and concepts...also old ones. It's a good feeling to be advised from your point of view. . .better than my professors at school. Keep inspiring others..and a pleasurable big THANKS to you.

[@alfredocordobaalzaga2533]

Architect, I love to see your work and your way of explaining the experience and emotions of design. Congratulations!!!! I am also a fan of stationery and general design items. A hug from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@arielzarate]

Since I am a one man operation, your videos help to keep me motivated and inspired. Thank you very much!

[@30by40]

it’s nice running lean right? Means you can step away whenever you’d like...(let’s not tell anyone just how good it is)...

[@jeffs9968]

As an architecture student, this is priceless. Thanks so much for sharing. Its very helpful and insightful.

[@30by40]

\m/

[@21guitarworld]

I'm not an architect, a designer, a drawer, or have any equipment or materials. But I find your videos therapeutic and interesting! I'm fascinated to the point I think your convincing me to become one out of sheer curiosity. Bravo, keep up the great work

[@aspirerv3689]

Hey Eric I am a long time viewer of your videos . Love the atmosphere your passion and the way you explain I've learned a lot from what you post. Thank you and keep up the amazing things you can do for the world of architecture as well as architect's!

[@mathandengineering8149]

I am a big fan of yours. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your videos, and I appreciate what you do. My best wishes for you in your career!

[@zakhariahk.8720]

Thank you so much for everything you did put here and your website, you have incredible taste and creativity.

[@louiev8922]

Every video teaches me something new. thank you for all your effort feels like i am watching a short films

[@79Hokie]

Always enjoy your perspective of things!

[@kingsnud]

16 year old, aspiring architect, seeing the beauty and neatness of your work is really keeping me motivated for the career I’ve been working towards since I discovered the role of an architect......I just don’t know where to start.

[@kierrabarr9219]

King SNUD ~ Same here. I’m 13 and have been watching videos like these for years to get a better understanding of where I should start.

[@csabamikula7167]

Both of you have already started.

[@kriegh94]

My advice for all of you is to learn something that I learned too late: learn to work, hard. To have many responsiblities, and overcome and manage stress and anxiety. And most important of all, be PROACTIVE. Do, learn, explore all the things you want, now, NO MATTER WHAT. The best moment to do it is in your teens, don´t wait like I did because is a mistake full of regrets.

[@Kleyguy7]

I’m not an architect, but i think you can start with drawing, it is a tool that will be useful when designing. You can also start learning programes that are easy to start with (like sketchup). Try to read books about a history of architecture + some about a modern one. Try to draw this modern buildings. Subscribe to some architecture magazines or set archdaily as your homepage. Go to some exhibitions and get inspired. Travel. Dont forget about the physics - although they are not so important it is always great to understand them. This things wont make you an architect but it is a great start and a great base before the university and practice when you will learn the rest.

[@Kleyguy7]

Try to find books that are interesting and inspiring - you dont need to read the building laws at that age, you will learn them later, no matter if you want or not.

[@kalyanibamane6449]

not totally related to this video but I've binge-watched your videos the past week and I just wanna thank you for making such high-quality useful videos for architects and archi student. I'm a student and I've been feeling down lately bc I was going through an artist/creative block but your videos kinda inspired me a lot! tysm

[@SandraSaysStuff]

As a born and bred Puerto Rican, I immediately recognized Old San Juan when the first photo popped up. Really liked how you captured it.

[@reidmitchell752]

This is so freaking cool. I just wanna comment because you deserve it. I'm gonna go down a big architecture rabbit hole now.

[@robertavieira2144]

Your videos are currently helping me to decide my future, my career and basically my life. Thank you.

[@30by40]

no pressure...!

[@eliumartinez6244]

Wow excellent video That's one of my main plans in life when I finish studying architecture in University. (Traveling) and with this video, I'm more encouraged than never, really thanks so much for that great content

[@dlisspo]

Your story telling skills are absolutely world class!

[@30by40]

🙏🏻🙏🏻appreciate that!

[@millicentsimonsays]

I found this video way more calming than I should've~! Cheers Eric!

[@ST-rm3bz]

I just found your channel and I really enjoy your videos. So excited to watch everything! Thank you for doing this.

[@T-equalizer]

you are born to architect dude. don't lose your sight. i like this video

[@Blackboarddiscover]

One of the most unusual videos on travel we came across. Brilliant work

[@KhayalJalilov]

fantastic shots, images tips and tricks, thank you very very much for outstandting video !!!

[@30by40]

appreciate the kind words my friend...thanks for watching...

[@TheTanglingTreats]

I'm digging this kind of videos. It's very peaceful and inspiring.

[@gilbertochavez4990]

Amazing, very much needed. Thank you!!

[@dawnmelanson]

Beautiful shots Eric! Welcome back!!

[@30by40]

Thanks Dawn...🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TomiQFE11]

This was lovely! Great message, well put together and I love the ending!

[@santiagomatallana3053]

Great video Eric. Neat as usual. The peace your videos evoque are deep and meaningfull, I love it!! It's a treasure to have found your channel, I've been devouring it since I crossed into one of your videos a few months ago. I've almost watched them all by now... Keep up the amazing work, you can't imagine how inspiring they are... Cheers from an almost-architect from Colombia my friend. (Just about to graduate from architecture school!) God bless.

[@jeffdomingo2560]

Thanks you so much, so much help for me. keep makin vids sir. You really inspire me.

[@akhatzhan]

glad to see you back ))

[@nishit246]

Your sketching and photography skills or way another level 😍

[@auroracullen5833]

You have inspired me so much... THANK YOU!!!

[@ncamachocorreia]

Your videos are very helpful for young architects, thank you so much. :) I wish you all the best

[@DrAdnan]

This is so quality. Love it!

[@heilong8233]

Hi, I seen all of your videos and wondered if you would be able to more videos on CAD or how to make design documents. so far I am amazed on finding you on youtube and happy how much i learned over the last 2-3 years of watching you!!!

[@XxSweetMusic77xX]

As always, stunning and informative video! Simplicity really is key!

[@NickShaw12]

This is an incredible video. Well done. There is real beauty in what you do and how you presented things with your sketches

[@30by40]

thanks Nick...kind of you...I checked out your latest vlog...I love what you're doing and also the fact that YT is a place where I can be exposed to new content from creators I didn't ever know existed each and every day! much respect for the Thrice t-shirt \m/

[@moh1234able]

Your channel and videos are underrated.. it’s amazing 💪🏻

[@Josephech]

Great video Eric! Sketching is always the hardest part for me but definitely important. 🤘🏽

[@nguyenquocthai7514]

The cinematography is top notch

[@dweepesh69singh]

Hey, just loved your work and sharing experiences with us. Untill 4.59 is was all deeply into your storytelling and at 5.01 I realised that there is an awesome piece of soft background music is playing that too I guess throughout the entire video and I didn't even realised it. Coz that was soo soothing and well weaved together.

[@corymcarthurrealtor]

Great video Eric. You have done such a good job of finding your style with these videos. A pleasure to watch.

[@30by40]

thanks Cory...making videos is so much faster than making buildings...kind of refreshing that way!

[@lucideliascencion6411]

Thank you very much for this amazing video!!

[@rozenerucita6643]

Thankyou for your video! I think its good idea to exercise and having fun with sketches

[@takchengsze4719]

It is great to see someone who is a passionate practicing architect. I grew tired of the client meetings and emails. I hope you are self practicing and not working in corporation.

[@KarinBohn]

Great video... loved the footage, color and pace. As a fellow interior designer, I found this very inspiring! ❤️

[@30by40]

Hey, Karin...means so much to hear from you such a fan of your work! 🙏🏻

[@makingitthrough190]

I was on a train near London a few years ago. I got talking to a fellow traveller about good, fine black markers. As a calligrapher I'm always curious about what folk find best. I like crisp clean lines that don't tend to bleed and widen. The gentleman turned out to be an architect and he gifted me a Copic pen! I hope he had a spare! (May be it was you!). I was very grateful as I hadn't come across them. Thanks, whoever it was.

[@ncamachocorreia]

Thank you!

[@frankiedee3122]

Thank you very much for this video.You have inspired me. I have taken a lot of your videos and applied it to my everyday life as a Graphic Designer.

[@30by40]

fantastic to hear...cross-pollination between design disciplines is a super-power, glad to have you here...

[@frankiedee3122]

Glad to be here

[@yasserkheroufi3644]

Just thank you

[@metalwood7225]

thank you for sharing this video. Reminded me to shoot again.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Well done! I really enjoyed that.

[@xispaki]

excellent, excellent video! Thank you for sharing!

[@febilogi]

"And relay a lil too" this sentence make laugh hahaha i see my architecture study is so busy. Thanks for inspiring. Keep it going! Love this video

[@martinesper1]

I noticed the sounds is improved dramatically. Keep it up !

[@spermwhale5766]

absolutely beautiful video.

[@parniyankarimi9952]

this was absolutely amazing!

[@JimmyKristanto]

the way you explain is just beautiful and detail! really how an architect would say :)

[@stephanslydignjohn639]

Love this channel, so interesting.

[@Hermadas]

Go out and meet local people and get enriched in the culture of your destination. To me this is so much more important for understanding a new place than observing it trough lenses and markers.

[@RahulGupta-ft5rg]

Hey, i love your work man✌🏻... Your video is worth watching, always i watch your video i get lots of knowledge from u...♥️

[@javiercruz7275]

Just recently discovered you channel, By far one of the best on you tube,!

[@gustavopozo8026]

Grandioso, buen Vlog Erick

[@nivaldomartins8344]

I've been watching your videos for a long time and I learned a lot with you... now i am an architecture student with a passion for photography...

[@30by40]

fantastic just how much there is to photography isn't it? ...more and more I think of myself as a photographer with an interest in architecture...

[@nivaldomartins8344]

@@30by40 i've been watching videos on every style of photography for the and now im saving money to buy a camera to keep learning

[@30by40]

a camera is the best investment I've made (aside from travel) in the past 10 years...you won't regret it!

[@rezahidayatullah8505]

what a nice video to motivate me. when im outside, i like to see some of the details. but frankly, i forgot to document it. i just forgot how the detail it was. thanks man for the video. :)

[@plywood007]

Спасибо за видео!

[@30by40]

of course my friend...

[@leshiianne]

so inspiring!

[@wingng7304]

This is so inspiring

[@lovebunny3778]

Great insight into how an architects profession and private life overlap which is very important. I too like to limit my photography to just one prime lens and I hate traveling with people who see only the tourist sights and ignore everything else.

[@30by40]

thank you...🙏🏻🙏🏻 it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my travel habits

[@vpaiman]

Awesome photos and superb cinematography. I absolutely love it :)

[@30by40]

thank you Aiman!

[@aion2177]

im not an architect, but i rely appreciate the life philosophy you carry with you - ill try to apply this principles in my own life :)

[@uglysleeping1514]

Your channel is so amazing

[@monahegazy742]

Great tips thank you for sharing it and I will try to follow them 👍🏻

[@yosketch9643]

so nice habits!

[@PS-qn4oz]

I'm not an architect, I just love your videos. This was so beautiful.

[@30by40]

really appreciate that...thanks 🙏

[@kieran9434]

Can you please do a video based on your first project you ever got coming straight out of school? Like how you coped with the pressure and got done with the project.

[@zenaalyasin9020]

in love with every thing in this video

[@lluvia3thkpsp]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!