Crit: The Journal of the AIAS
Crit is the semi-annual journal of the AIAS and the premier venue for publication of student work in architecture and design. Published since 1976, Crit is a branded publication that offers a variety of opportunities for AIAS members and acts as a forum for critical discourse and the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Crit is your opportunity to distinguish yourself from your peers and provide you a competitive edge when applying for jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities. Crit presents opportunities for students to have their work published in a national journal that is read by thousands of students and is a part of the collections of nearly every architecture school library and a growing number of architecture firms.
AIAS members should consider publication in Crit a unique accomplishment and an honor. Contributing to Crit is also an opportunity to develop research and writing skills. The Editor-in-Chief has the dual responsibility of curating a high-caliber journal and acting as a writing mentor to contributors.
AIAS members receive Crit at no charge as a benefit of membership. Crit subscriptions are also available for libraries, firms, and other interested parties. Crit also presents unique advertising opportunities, as it is read by thousands of architecture students in North America. Questions about subscriptions and advertising should be directed to AIAS Executive Director Joshua Caulfield: . You may also download the subscription form here.
Submitting to Crit
Crit is the semi-annual journal of the AIAS and the premier publication by and for architecture students in North America. Published since 1976, Crit is a branded journal that offers publication opportunities for AIAS members and acts as a forum for critical discourse and the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
But most importantly, Crit is the place where you – architecture students – can state your opinions, provoke dialogue, and display your knowledge and skills. Publication in Crit is a unique accomplishment and honor: it is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from your peers and gain a competitive edge when applying for jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities. Crit is read by thousands of students and is a part of the collections of nearly every architecture school library and a growing number of architecture firms.
Bottom line: Crit is your journal. And taking advantage of this opportunity is easier than you might think.
The Writing Process
If you have ever taken a course in architectural history, theory, or criticism – and all of you have or will – then you have written a paper, created a project, or made a presentation that can form the basis for an editorial, article, or project published in Crit. The elements of the writing process are very similar to the stages of the design process:
- Prewriting (conceptual design)
- Research (site visits and precedents)
- Outlining (schematic design)
- Writing/drafting (design development)
- Editing and revising (construction drawings and renderings)
- Publishing (presentation)
This means that not only are architecture students capable designers, we also have the requisite skills to be successful writers.
For tips on research and writing techniques, see The Handbook of Technical Writing, 9th Edition by Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu (St. Martin’s Press) and the 16th Edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, available at www.chicagomanualofstyle.org.
Submitting to Crit
Crit is a journal, not a magazine or a newsletter. This means that its content is academic in nature, with essays, articles, and projects that provoke thought and encourage dialogue. The Editor-in-Chief has the dual responsibility to curate a high-caliber journal and act as a writing mentor to contributors.
Crit welcomes several types of submissions, each with distinct guidelines:
- Letters: Crit welcomes letters from readers, both supportive and critical. Letters should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief and should respond to the theme of the immediately previous issue or a specific article or essay. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length to be considered for publication. Crit does not accept anonymous letters.
- Comments: Editorials and opinion essays should be 500-1200 words in length. Submissions should be thoughtful and provocative, but do not necessarily require significant research.
- Book Reviews: Submitters are responsible for obtaining the material to be reviewed. A review should analyze the book in the context of design education and/or practice and discuss its relevance to students. Reviews should not exceed 800 words in length.
- Features: Feature articles project a strong argument and/or discuss a body of research and should be appropriately and thoughtfully composed. Feature articles should be at least 1500 words in length and may be accompanied by images.
- Projects: At least three high-resolution (600 dpi) images should be sent for each project to be considered for publication. A project statement, not to exceed 1500 words, must accompany the images.
Broad topical suggestions for works to be published in Crit include:
- The connections amongst architecture and other disciplines such as urban and regional planning, economics, ecology, sociology, or public policy
- How architecture is impacted by – and impacts – social, cultural, or economic forces
- How globalization has impacted – and will continue to impact – architectural practice and education
- The relationships (and differences) between architectural pedagogy and practice
- The “social project” of architecture
- “Critical” architecture
- How architecture enhances (or detracts from) the success of educational environments
- How and why American architecture and urbanism are different from patterns in other countries
- Modern, postmodern, and contemporary architectural theory and philosophy
- Interviews with notable instructors, professors, or practicing architects
- Provocative fictional prose
Getting Published
Beginning with issue 72 (Fall 2011), Crit will be accepting submissions on a rolling basis up to approximately two-and-a-half months prior to publication (publication dates are early November and late March). Issue themes will not be predetermined, but will be created after review and assessment of submitted content.
Submissions in all departments need not be in final form prior to submittal. Crit welcomes ideas in all stages of development: send us the seeds, and we’ll help you grow them into peer-reviewed articles worthy of publication. The chances of being published in Crit are quite high if the text is well written, the project is interesting and of high quality, and if the images included are easily reproducible. Submissions that are not published in the upcoming issue will be held by the AIAS to be considered for publication in a future issue.
All submissions should include the authors’ name(s) and a 75-word biographical sketch including full name, academic or professional affiliations, and any other information the author(s) feel appropriate, such as leadership experience, work experience, study abroad experience, and research and career interests.
Full submission guidelines are available here
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Submissions? Random sparks of inspiration at 4 a.m.? Send them to Laura Meador, Editor-in-Chief: .
