10. Do I have to be good at drawing?
As architects and urbanists, we express our ideas primarily through the art of drawing. Sooner or later, we must thus familiarize ourselves with this artistic language. During your studies, it is crucial to develop a set of drawing skills and attain a love for drawing, as this will serve as your main tool. You will develop and continuously hone your drawing skills throughout your study years.
As Juhani Pallasmaa wrote in “The Thinking Hand” (which you will have likely read by the end of the first year): in a way, every architect thinks with their hands. All lines drawn, all colours painted, sometimes even simple scratchings on sketch paper, will help you bring your ideas to life. It is far more important to know how to express your thoughts visually than to have artistic skills. Drawings, models, collages, etc., are some of the many ways to achieve this, and through their studies every student will find their own method.
