Becoming an architect requires a great deal of dedication and a genuine love for planning the transformation of ideas into a functional and appealing space. Successful architects often seem to share a set of five traits that make them masters of their craft.
A Passion for Architecture
The love old buildings and new is often seen among great architects, and those who are pursuing the career must be passionate about their work in order to be successful. Like most careers, architecture can be daunting at times; without a love of the field and a passion for virtually everything that it entails, an architect may have a hard time succeeding.
A Creative Outlook
Nearly anyone could be an architect if the job simply required instructions on nailing one board to another, but those in the field of architecture must be able to take an original view of the structures they are trying to create. Whether pursuing contemporary architectural design or recreating a classic style, creativity is vital.
An Easygoing Personality
Turning dreams into reality is a great business in theory, but those who are working within the constraints of logistics and a budget may need to adjust their plans to better accommodate reality. An easygoing personality and the ability to accept rapid changes to a vision are important in an architect.
The Ability to Adapt
While adaptability is similar to the need for an easygoing personality, the ability to conceptualize something new and different at a moment’s notice cannot be overstated. Considering how clients can frequently make a seemingly simple project more difficult every day, learning to adapt ideas, plans and goals on the fly is hugely important in an architect.
A Strong Sense of Self-Confidence
The firm belief in his or her ability to not only create incredible structures, but to do it in a way that sells is the mark of a real architect. While a certain amount of self-confidence is necessary to begin a career as an architect, ongoing success will help architects increase both their business and self-confidence.