Los Angeles Institute of Architecture & Design

Academic Programs

We provide a street-level entry with a professional trajectory.

Academic Semesters

Graduate Preparation Program

+ 2 semester “Grad Prep” program for students with no design experience who are applying to Master of Architecture programs and need design studio experience with a professional quality portfolio
+ Rigorous design studios
+ Drawing, sketching, and model making classes
+ 3D computer modeling and rendering classes
+ Portfolio design classes

The 1 year “Grad Prep” program is intended for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who wish to apply to a Master of Architecture program. The program focuses on the development of conceptual design skills and the assembly of a professional quality portfolio. The goal of this program is not only to facilitate admission to leading Master of Architecture programs, but also to enable the student to take a leading position within these programs. The program is appropriate for students with no design experience as well as students with a design background.

LAIAD faculty members have taught in graduate programs of architecture and have served on graduate admissions committees at several different universities. The content of this program is quite similar to that found in the first year of leading Master of architecture programs so that our graduates can then apply to these programs with well suited portfolios and design abilities. In their portfolios, successful students will be able to demonstrate conceptual design skills, model making and drawing skills, and a beginning expertise with 2D and 3D computer applications. In addition to successful application to M arch programs of their choice, many of our graduates have received substantial scholarships. From the first day of class, students are treated as professional designers, and are asked to engage in design discourse, and to participate in studio culture. Although listed as separate courses, rigorous classes teaching drawing, model making, and computer skills are taught as part of the studio experience.

Summer Program

+ 2 month Summer Program who are applying to Master of Architecture programs and need design studio experience with a professional quality portfolio

+ Rigorous design studios
+ 3D computer modeling and Rendering
+ Portfolio design class available upon completion

The LAIAD Summer Program is a short, intensive, design and 3D modeling workshop. This program is intended to help students improve their design and presentation skills, build a portfolio, and orient their work toward acceptance and transfer into the university system for graduate level study in Architecture or Interior Design. LAIAD’s curriculum is specifically developed to teach the design and thinking skills most sought-after by top-rated universities.

Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design does not represent that the educational objective(s) of the program(s) offered lead to employment or a career or prepares students with the skills and knowledge necessary to satisfy the qualifications for licensure in a specified career, occupation, vocation, job, or job title. 

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