r/Indian_architects

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for an architect who can help me create the layout/map of my plot.

I already have a clear concept and rough idea of how I want the house to be. I just need a professional to execute it properly by creating an optimized floor plan and ensuring everything is practical and well-designed.

Budget: You can share in the dm after knowing the details.

If you're an architect with experience in residential planning, please DM me. I'll share the plot dimensions, requirements, and my concept so we can discuss it further.

Thanks!

Hey I got intrest in biology and pcmb student but also like art, painting and digital art for job perspective what should I choose

Which Adobe program is most used in offices? My college doesn't really teach these tools, so I'm trying to figure out which one's worth learning first. Also, between Illustrator and Photoshop, which would be more useful for college stuff

Hi everyone! I'm applying from India for Fall 2027 to an interior design master's program and would love advice from anyone who made a similar leap — especially career changers or people who came in without a design degree.

**My background**: I have a 3-year BA in a non-design field, but I've spent the last few years working in school design and construction management, curriculum development, and brand communications. Lots of spatial thinking, but no formal design education. I'm looking at Parsons MFA Interior Design, RISD MDes Interior Studies, and NYSID MFA1.

**For career changers specifically**
— Did you come into your program without a design degree? How steep was the learning curve in the first semester?
— What did you wish you had taught yourself before starting — software, drawing, anything else?
— Did admissions committees respond well to a non-design background, or did you feel you had to work harder to prove yourself?
— How long did it take to feel like you belonged in a room full of people who had been designing for years?
— Is there anything you would have done differently in your preparation before applying?

**NYSID MFA1 — career changer focused**
— The MFA1 is explicitly designed for people without a design background. Does that show in the quality of the cohort, or is everyone genuinely strong?
— The curriculum goes from foundations all the way to thesis over 3 years — does that pace feel right, or is it rushed/slow?
— The summer Experiential Learning placements — how useful are they actually? Are they real internships at real firms?
— Faculty from Gensler, Rockwell Group, HOK etc — do those industry connections translate into actual job opportunities or is it more of a name-drop?
— No portfolio required to apply — but does that mean the program is easier than Parsons or RISD in practice?
— The two-week summer workshop for people without a portfolio — is it genuinely useful or just a formality?
— How much technical knowledge (AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp) do you pick up in the program vs needing to know it going in?
— NYSID is very focused — only interior design, small school, \~600 students. Does that feel limiting or is it actually an advantage?

**RISD MDes — Open to You, But More Self-Directed**
— RISD says a design background isn't required, but the portfolio asks for 10 samples of visual work. What kind of work did non-designers submit that got them in?
— How much does the program assume you already know going in — or does it genuinely teach from the ground up?
— The Degree Project is self-directed and focused on transforming an existing structure in Providence. How supported do you feel in that process as someone new to design?
— Is the program more conceptual and research-heavy in practice, or does it balance theory with hands-on making?
— How does Brown University cross-registration actually work — do MDes Interior students use it regularly?
— Providence is small compared to NYC. Does that affect your ability to intern, network, or find work during the program?

**Parsons MFA — career changer focused**
— Parsons talks a lot about social practice and research. As a career changer, is that framing helpful for people coming from non-design fields, or does it assume a design foundation?
— How much technical design knowledge does the program teach vs expecting you to bring it in?
— Is the cohort mix of backgrounds — architects, designers, complete non-designers — or mostly people with design training?

**NYSID vs RISD vs Parsons — which is best for a career changer?**
— If you had to recommend one of these three specifically for someone coming from a completely non-design background, which would it be and why?
— NYSID is 3 years and explicitly for non-designers. RISD and Parsons are 2 years. Is the extra year at NYSID worth it, or does it feel like it's just filling time?
— Which program produces graduates who actually get hired in NYC studios — not just the prestige ranking, but real job outcomes?
— Is the NCIDQ exam eligibility (which both NYSID MFA1 and RISD offer) important for actually working as an interior designer, or is it less relevant in practice?
— For someone wanting to eventually return to India and work in luxury interior design — which degree carries the most weight internationally?

**Practical prep questions**
— What software should I be learning before I start — AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Suite?
— Is freehand sketching and drawing ability important, or has that been replaced by digital tools?
— Should I try to build a portfolio before applying, even if it's self-initiated projects?
— Are there any online courses, books, or resources you'd genuinely recommend for someone preparing to enter design school from scratch?
— How important is it to visit campuses in person before applying — is it expected or optional?

**Job placement after graduation**
— How strong is the job placement actually — not the official statistics, but real outcomes for international students specifically?
— How quickly did you find a job after graduating? Weeks, months, over a year?
— Did your school’s name open doors, or was it mostly about your portfolio and who you knew?
— Which of the three schools — Parsons, RISD, NYSID — has the strongest alumni network that actively helps graduates find work?
— Are career services at these schools genuinely useful, or do you mostly find jobs on your own?
— What types of firms or roles do interior design graduates typically land — residential studios, hospitality, corporate, retail?
— Is it realistic to get hired at a top NYC firm (Gensler, Rockwell, HOK, AD100 studios) straight out of a master’s program?
— Did your internships during the program lead directly to job offers, or was it more of a foot-in-the-door situation?
— How important is it to stay in NYC vs relocating to another US city for job prospects in interior design?

**Living in NYC (NYSID / Parsons)**
— What neighbourhoods do most graduate interior design students actually live in — Brooklyn, Jersey City, the Bronx, Queens?
— What is a realistic all-in monthly budget for a graduate student in NYC in 2025/2026 — rent, food, metro, supplies, everything?
— Is it worth living with roommates vs getting a studio, and how do you find roommates as an incoming international student?
— Which is cheaper and more student-friendly — on-campus housing or finding your own apartment?
— Are there good Indian grocery stores and communities near the school areas? Does NYC feel manageable for someone from India?
— How safe is it to live in more affordable neighbourhoods as a single woman?

**Living in Providence (RISD)**
— How affordable is Providence compared to NYC for a graduate student?
— What is a realistic monthly budget living near RISD’s campus?
— Is Providence a liveable city for an Indian international student, or does it feel isolating?
— Is there a strong enough Indian or South Asian community in Providence?
— Does living in Providence vs NYC make it noticeably harder to find internships and jobs during the program?

**OPT, work visa and staying in the USA long-term**
— How long is OPT for interior design graduates — is it 12 months or 36 months STEM OPT? Do any of these programs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
— How realistic is it to get H-1B sponsorship as an interior designer — do firms in this field sponsor visas at all, or is it rare?
— Did your employer sponsor your H-1B, or did you have to find another route to stay?
— Are there specific types of firms — large corporate, hospitality, architecture firms — that are more likely to sponsor visas than small residential studios?
— Has anyone gone the O-1 visa route (extraordinary ability) as a designer? Is that realistic for someone earlier in their career?
— What’s the most common path to a green card for interior designers — EB-1, EB-2 NIW, employer sponsorship?
— How long does the green card process realistically take for Indian nationals in a design field?
— Are there any immigration lawyers or resources you’d recommend specifically for creative professionals?
— Did your choice of school or program affect your visa and immigration options at all?

**General survival advice for Indian students in the US**
— What do you wish someone had told you before you moved?
— How long does it take to genuinely settle in and feel at home?
— What are the biggest financial mistakes new Indian students make in the US?
— Is it hard to build a genuine social life and community as an international student in a design program?

Any advice at all is genuinely welcome. Thank you so much! Sorry for the lengthy post.

Hi,
I am planning to construct a house on a 182 sqyd plot in Hyderabad and need architectural designs for this. Can anyone please contact me.

I just graduated with a degree in architecture. My last semester was an internship, but I could only complete 5 of the required 6 months because of ongoing health issues.

I’ve now been at home for the last two months, and honestly, I don’t know when I’ll be physically able to work on-site again. Because of that, I’m looking for remote or work-from-home opportunities, but as a fresher I’m not even sure what realistic options exist.

I’m also questioning whether I want to stay in architecture long-term because of the low pay and long working hours.
I’ve been considering learning BIM, but I don’t know if it’s worth it or where to start. I’ve also thought about switching into UI/UX since it seems to have better salaries and more remote opportunities. Is UI/UX something I could realistically learn through online courses and build a career in without going back to university?

I’m open to other career paths as well. Ideally, I’m looking for something that:
Has decent long-term earning potential.
Offers remote opportunities.
Can be learned largely through self-study or online courses.
Doesn’t require years before becoming employable.

I’d really appreciate advice from people who’ve been in a similar situation or successfully switched careers. If you were starting over with an architecture degree today, what would you do?

Hi everyone,

I’m an architecture graduate from India looking for small architecture firms or startups that hire remotely.

Due to ongoing health issues, working on-site isn’t an option for me right now, so I’m specifically looking for WFH opportunities. I’m open to architecture, interior design, visualization, drafting, BIM, research, documentation, or any design-related roles.

If you know of any small firms, studios, or startups hiring remotely (or have worked with one yourself), I’d really appreciate your recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

​

Hi everyone,

I'm an architect with about a year of experience, mainly in landscape architecture, and I'm considering pursuing a Master's in Landscape Architecture in India.

Which are the best colleges for the program? Is it worth pursuing in terms of learning and career opportunities? Any advice from current students or professionals in the field?

Thanks in advance!

Where can I find good affordable courses for BIM online? The ones I'm seeing are very expensive

Hi folks,

I am looking for first hand experiences or recommendations for architect firms/studio for a villa construction. I will need to delegate civil work and inspections as well.

I completed my B.Arch in May 2026 and now studying for gate ar 2027...

I am in a dilemma about whether I should completely focus on gate or if I should work in a firm and gain experience while preparing for gate. It's July already and I feel like I am behind as I am stressed about completing the syllabus on time. If I give 100 percent time for gate preparation then I won't be getting the experience of working on a real time project but if I work then I might have to compromise on the time given for studying.. Also firms generally look for freshers that can commit for a longer duration i.e atleast 1 to 2 years so it's difficult to find a firm that would accept me in the first place..Currently I'm working on my portfolio and will start applying soon...any advice on what kind of firms I should apply to ? Also am I late for applying for working at a firm ?

To all the gate aspirants and working professionals out there, how did you manage to prioritize between work and other commitments?

Thanks for reading and any kind of feedback is really appreciated..

Location: Outskirts of Hyderabad

Area of home: 700-800sq ft

Budget 6-7 lacs. can stretch a bit.

Goal/use: vacation home. Monthly visits.

Materials: Mud, rammed earth and bricks. Looking to remove the use of AC and build an eco friendly home for the Indian climate

Can you with your experience and expertise suggest if it is possible to build a small dwelling with these materials within my budget?
I am open to any and every idea, suggestion, critique, and looking to have an honest and productive discussion around it! Thanks

Does anyone know how can I getbthe crack version of rhino? Get into pc isn't working anymore. Any other websites similar to it?

What should be done to get Airport design projects. How to get Airport projects in India. I know it requires great experience knowledge and expertise .But there must be some process. What happens actually , Tender or Govt job?

I have 4 years of my architecture degree and require a laptop that would last me throughout. I need a well performing laptop that will not give me issues while working with all softwares. I had an HP omen that got absolutely ruined because of heating issues.
BUDGET- 2 lakhs.

I was considering lenovo legion but i need help with the specifications and i want the best deals. https://www.lenovo.com/in/en/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-pro-series/legion-pro-5i-gen-10-16-inch-intel/83f3001rin (after student discount this is for 2.07 lakhs approx and i can modify the specifications)

should i get ryzen or intel?

Please suggest laptops in this range with links,specs and best prices and do tell the pros and cons.

Curious how everyone here is actually using AI in practice. Not talking about Nanobanana renders or ChatGPT writing emails, I mean tools that have genuinely saved you time or improved your workflow. Dropping a few questions , would love to know what's been up at your architecture/ design practice:

- What AI tools are you using regularly?
- At what stage of a project do they help the most?
- Any workflows you've built that you'd genuinely recommend?

Personally I'm interested in using AI to automate the repetitive parts of practice so there's more time for design thinking and client interaction.