May 21, 2018

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is proud to announce the winners of the winter InStudio: Portfolio Competition. AIAS members were asked to share their portfolios to highlight their studio work and to provide inspiration for those looking to enhance their own skill sets. This competition was open to all years and skill sets.

FIRST PLACE | $300

Jonathan Warner
University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Juror’s Comments

Composition: Visual narrative: clear organization; strong parallel project introduction pages providing small graphic diagrams as wayfinding system; clear, precise and appropriate typeface hierarchy.

Quality of Narrative: Content narrative: good use of captions to describe exactly what should be understood about each selected image; strong selection of projects; interesting use of supportive diagrams; project introduction narrative contains descriptive text, affiliated awards and publications and includes QR code to redirect to additional information; clearly displays the thinking behind the projects.

Creativity and Quality of Work: Beautiful, intriguing images; detailed and informative drawings, section perspective on page 38 is a stand-out; diagramming use to explain “Computational Dance” project is sophisticated, beautiful and informative; rendering on page 50 displays remarkable skill in layering a variety of elements into one image that significantly displays the atmosphere of the design proposal; descriptive drawings on page 03-04 are beautiful.

Employability & Professionalism: Introduction page articulates clearly the designer’s skills and experience; resume outlines awards, activities and experience. This document reads purposefully professional. Congratulations!

SECOND PLACE | $200

Joana Benin
Ryerson University

Juror’s Comments

Composition: Visual narrative; clear organization; abundant use of white space to give visual material breathing room on the page; strong parallel project introduction pages providing small graphic diagrams as wayfinding system; clear, precise and appropriate typeface hierarchy; good use of bleed images, double page spread images and smaller secondary images to vary the visual pace of the portfolio.

Quality of Narrative: Content narrative: carefully articulated plans with furniture and discreet labels to define program; strong use of diagram call-outs to support understanding of projects; uses exploded axonometric drawings to describe assemblies where needed; subtle use of system of captions, call-outs and short narrative descriptions work together to continue project narratives throughout spreads; strong selection of projects; clearly displays the thinking behind the projects.

Creativity and Quality of Work: Beautiful, clear and informative renderings and drawings, rendering skill is of very high quality; the designer is able to convey the experience of each project with clear skill; diagram sets on page 3, 17, 23, 29 show clear division of ideas and clear dissemination of those ideas; detailed and informative drawings.

Employability & Professionalism: Introduction page articulates clearly the designer’s skills and experience; resume outlines education, experience, projects, achievements, affiliations and skills. This document is informative and displays a dedication to precision and detail. Congratulations!

THIRD PLACE | $100

Elaf Alsibyani
Dar Al Hekma University

Juror’s Comments

Composition: Visual narrative; clear organization; very clean layout; communicates each project effectively. Good use of bleed images and double spread images.

Quality of Narrative: Strong use of diagram call-outs to support understanding of projects; uses exploded axonometric drawings to describe assemblies; strong selection of projects; clearly displays the thinking behind the projects.

Creativity and Quality of Work: Beautiful, clear and informative renderings and drawings, rendering skill is of very high quality; the designer is able to convey the experience of each project with clear skill; detailed and informative drawings.

Employability & Professionalism: Resume outlines education, experience, projects, achievements, affiliations and skills. Congratulations!

A thank you to our jurors:

Emily Bacher, R Michael Cross Design Group
Margaret Fletcher, Auburn University
Nicole Gerou, Hamilto Anderson Associates
Darris James, Gensler
Carrie Parker, CannonDesign
Scott Russell, FOX Architects

Stay tuned for In Studio: Photo and In Studio: Made competitions, both launching June 1.