Tangents by Out of Architecture Out of Architecture

This week, we switch things up a little bit where where our host Silvia Lee is interviewed by Out of Architecture's very own Jake Rudin!
Silvia Lee is the Director of Customer Success at Layer, an adjunct instructor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the host of this Tangents podcast by Out of Architecture. With a background in architecture and a passion for enabling others to achieve their dreams, Silvia brings a unique perspective to her various roles. Her ability to communicate effectively and create connections with people has led to successful collaborations and a fulfilling career journey. By embracing new opportunities and being open to change, Silvia has been able to thrive in roles that allow her to leverage her diverse skill set and make a meaningful impact.
Highlights:
Navigating Architectural Careers and Finding Personal StrengthsThe importance of leveraging transferable skills in varied industriesThe value of following one's passions, enabling others, and maintaining authenticity in career pursuitsThe power of effective communication, building connections, and embracing new opportunities for growth and developmentFinding Joy and Connection in Podcasting and Passion ProjectsFind out more at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviaxlee/https://layer.team/


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In this Tangents episode, we speak with ELLEN ABRAHAM, Chief Pin Officer at Architect Pins, one of our amazing OOA Advisors and Senior Project Manager and Co-Founder of Equity Design Lab @ SOM.
In this episode, Ellen Abraham discusses the power of architects as change makers and the importance of thinking beyond traditional roles in the industry. She shares her background in architecture, from growing up in Dominica to pursuing her education and career in New York. Ellen also highlights her current role as a Senior Project Manager at SOM and the founding of the Equity Design Lab, which focuses on community-first and equitable design practices. She emphasizes the need for architects to consider the impact of their designs on communities and the importance of measuring success in terms of social equity, economic equity, and ecology.
Highlights:
Architects have the power to be change makers and positively impact communities through their designs.The Equity Design Lab at SOM focuses on creating equitable and community-focused design practices.Conversations, empathy, and education are key to overcoming resistance and implementing change in the industry.Architects should think beyond their traditional roles and consider the long-term effects of their designs on communities.Failing forward is essential for personal and professional growth, and embracing failure can lead to new opportunities.Want to chat further with Ellen? Book some time with her here: https://www.outofarchitecture.com/scheduling


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Our guest today is Chi Bhatia, VP of Strategy & Growth at One Plan, a SaaS start-up that builds 2D & 3D technology for events & venues. Chi is also part of the amazing career consultant team at Out of Architecture.
Hear Chi share his journey from international student to completing LA’s first NFL stadium to now working at a tech startup providing support to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On this episode of Tangents, Chi Bhatia of OnePlan, and Out of Architecture Career Consultant, shares his experiences transitioning from an Senior Designer to VP Strategy and Growth. Hear how being in Los Angeles, California impacted the trajectory of Chi’s career, and how he systematically approached each step of his journey, using his passion of sports as a driver for his success. 
Highlights:
Curious, Systematic, CalmTaking advantage of your environmentImpact of studying architecture in LABeing focused on finding work as an international studentHow software proficiency matters in your job searchUnique Sports Studio at HKS evolving architectureCareer pivots influenced by passion and expertiseWhy Architecture is an underrated professionhttps://www.outofarchitecture.com/bio-chi-bhatia


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Sam Anderson is an architectural visualization specialist who has carved out a unique career path beyond traditional practice. Sam shares her journey from pursuing architecture at the University of Texas to realizing her true passion lies in visualization. She discusses her experiences working in various roles, including at architecture firms, Epic Games, and ultimately starting her own visualization studio.

Sam emphasizes the importance of storytelling and using real-time rendering technology to showcase designs in more immersive ways. She highlights the potential of these tools to empower architects and democratize design by giving a voice to those who may not have access to traditional architectural education. Throughout the conversation, Sam emphasizes the value of kindness, resourcefulness, and adaptability in navigating career transitions.
Highlights:
Real-time rendering tools provide architects with new avenues for creative expression and design communication.Exploring industries beyond architecture can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.Maintaining a positive and resourceful mindset is crucial when navigating career pivots and new challenges.Showing kindness and making genuine connections can open doors and leave lasting impressions.It's essential to find a balance between professional pursuits and personal priorities for overall well-being.Guest Bio:Sam Anderson, creator of Studio Ladder, is a 3D artist based in NYC and LA. Sam is passionate about visual communication for design. Previously, Sam was a Senior Technical Marketing Manager at Epic Games where she produced new release content for Unreal Engine and Twinmotion as well as educational content for conferences and online tutorials. Prior to Epic Games, Sam was a visualization specialist at SHoP Architects. Other work experiences include an internship at JAJA Architects in Copenhagen and an architectural designer at Workshop/APD in New York. Sam studied at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and at Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. From each experience, Sam has developed an eye for high-quality design and communicating in a highly personable, yet professional manner. Talk to her long enough, and she will have you saying '“y’all” as if you were also born and raised in Texas.


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Jeffrey Yoo Warren, is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and crafter whose work explores themes of cultural heritage, identity, and community. Jeffrey shares his unique journey from studying architecture to finding his calling in artistic practices deeply rooted in historical research and traditional craftsmanship.
Through his residency at the Library of Congress, Jeffrey talks about the reconstruction of early Asian American communities and neighbourhoods, creating immersive virtual and physical models that invite viewers to experience and connect with these often-overlooked histories. 
He also shares his passion for woodworking, papermaking, and learning traditional Korean crafts, allowing him to forge a tangible link with his ancestral roots and cultural inheritance.
Highlights:
Embracing the personal and specific aspects of one's identity and cultural background can lead to a deeper, more meaningful artistic practice, challenging the concept of universality as a design goal.Finding joy and fulfilment in the creative process is essential, and recognizing when work no longer aligns with one's passions is a valuable lesson.Collaboration and building community connections, especially within diasporic or underrepresented groups, can foster a profound sense of belonging and inspire new ideas.Trusting one's instincts and exploring seemingly tangential interests can uncover unexpected paths to self-discovery and artistic expression.Preserving and reviving traditional crafts and practices can serve as a powerful means of reconnecting with cultural heritage and transmitting ancestral knowledge.Guest Bio:Jeffrey Yoo Warren (he/him) is a Korean American artist educator, illustrator, community scientist and researcher in Providence, RI, whose recent work combines ancestral craft practices and creative work with diasporic memory through virtual collaborative worldbuilding. He has spent years creating collaborative community science projects which decenter dominant culture in environmental knowledge production. Jeff is an educator with Movement Education Outdoors and AS220, and part of the New Old art collective with Aisha Jandosova, hosting art-making and storytelling events with older adults; he is also the 2023 Innovator in Residence at the Library of Congress for my ongoing project Seeing Lost Enclaves: Relational reconstructions of erased historic neighborhoods of color.His current artistic practice investigates how people build identity and strength through their interactions with artifacts and histories, and the ways that objects can tell stories that people can be part of in the present.


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Our guest today, Lauren Kimball, Experience Design Director @ Edelman, shares her journey from architecture to advertising. She emphasizes the importance of being honest and open in client meetings and offers advice for architecture students looking to explore alternative career paths. Lauren also discusses her platform, Find by Design, which showcases black designers across various disciplines. Through her experiences, she highlights the power of collaboration and the value of pursuing work that you are passionate about.
Highlights:
Architecture students have an amazing foundation in human-centered design thinking that is applicable across industries.Having a diverse range of experiences, saying yes to new opportunities, and working on passion projects outside of work can open new career doors.The advertising industry moves at a much faster pace than architecture which allows for more experimentation and learning.Being honest about what you do and don't know builds trust - it's ok to say you'll find the answer and get back to people.Hire people smarter than you and find partners who complement your skills rather than trying to do everything
Guest Bio:
Lauren’s experience has been rooted in design since the beginning. Having started her career in sports and entertainment architecture, her world has blended digital and physical to tell brand stories in impactful ways. She has made a career developing teams across the many facets of the design process, including consumer research, experience design, creative technology, and production. She's led interdisciplinary creatives through the design of sprawling music festivals, Olympic master plans, and digital shopping experiences, all to help clients understand their why, and how that translates to an effective design solution. In 2023, Lauren launched FIND By DESIGN, a space created to make it easier to find and support Black designers. The carefully curated directory allows anyone to find talented designers across the graphics and illustration industries, and the platform has already expanded to the UK + Ireland. www.findbydesign.org


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