Los Angeles Institute of Architecture & Design - Los Angeles, California

Mercedes Victoria

Prior to attending LAIAD, I wanted to apply to architecture school for my masters but did know where or how to start building a portfolio. Although I was always creative, I was told I needed a 'conceptual' portfolio. I didn't understand what was meant by this until I attended LAIAD. The graduate prep program is intensive, immersive, and excellent. Bill and Carl are two of the most encouraging and insightful teachers I have ever had and still think fondly of their studios. I greatly enjoyed all of the design project assignments as they were structured but also allowed you to divulge into your own interests. The studio classes were small and very hands on and helped me produce some impressive designs and models. After applying to graduate school with the portfolio I produced at LAIAD, I received offers from 7/9 schools I applied to and was offered substantial scholarships from all but one. I am happy to say that I will be attending my first choice and dream institution for my Masters in Architecture, and I feel well prepared for it thanks to my time at LAIAD, despite not having an undergrad in a design related field. I would highly recommend their program to anyone interested in getting into design and architecture.

Edgar Tostado

I would highly recommend anyone who has the intentions of getting familiar or plan to pursue an education in architecture and design. I recently finished the Graduate School Preparation Program and I can say that I received the best attention and guidance from the LAIAD staff to prepare and help me produce great work for my portfolio. The entire staff at LAIAD are all working professional with tons of experience who challenge their students to become problem solvers and self thinkers but at the same time mentor them as they grow in the design process.

The great thing about attending LAIAD is that your ideas will never just remain as an idea. You will be taught how to transform ideas and information into actual form and create models that will show complexity and meaning. I previously taken courses in the past at the local community college and it does not come close to the level of quality and dynamic curriculum that LAIAD provides.

Logan Dumont

Before entering the Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design, all I knew of architecture and design was that it fascinated me. I had previously graduated from a 4 year university with no design background, but through the Graduate Preparation Program at LAIAD, I have since learned numerous design techniques and skills along with real world applications, all of which enabled me to confidently apply to graduate schools for a Masters in Architecture with a portfolio made up of coursework over the year.

Although it may sound cliche, the faculty really pushes you to think "outside the box" when formulating conceptual designs and to create a rule-based system to help guide your design process. Small class sizes enable individual attention and refinement through projects. Of course LAIAD wants to see you succeed academically, but more so with a solid approach to be a better designer.

My advice to anyone considering architecture and design as a career, enroll in LAIAD.

Cary Chu

If you are at all interested in architecture, whether to pursue it as a career or just as a dillante, you need to check this school out. Be prepared to put in some work and Carl, Bill and Sean will get you into an Ivy league school... if that's what fancies you.

Their portfolio preparation class is absolutely top-notch. Everyone from my class that lasted to the end of the year managed to churn out incredible works that made them extremely competitive to get in the best architecture programs in the States with substantial scholarship. I didn't even think about scholarships when I decided to enroll at LAIAD, but Bill told me to keep gluing that basswood, I did, and the scholarship offers came. Now I am on the verge of being cocky.

Enough said. You can't go wrong here.

Annie Hetrick-Dahm

LAIAD is a program that worked for me because it really is for beginners. They teach the basic principles of program-based design in a way that challenges and motivates. The faculty create a familiarity with each student and their projects, and they helped me come out of my shell as a designer.

Clara Dykstra

I highly recommend the Graduate Preparation Course at LAIAD for anyone:
- curious about the field of Architecture and/or Design and whether it is right for them
- interested in creating a highly competitive and attractive portfolio for grad school admissions and scholarships.

I applied to Masters of Arch. 1 programs before and after I attended LAIAD, and I was admitted to much better schools that offered me much better financial incentives after I finished the Graduate Preparation Course. This was due entirely to my new portfolio consisting of the work I designed (drawings as well as wood models) during the first and second semester studio classes. In the last semester I compiled these projects into a portfolio and learned the essentials of graphic design while figuring out the most effective way to communicate my processes and concepts. Previous to these classes I had never taken a course in architectural or graphic design.

Because I have an undergraduate degree in a different field, this course was invaluable for me to see what an architectural education is all about and whether it was relevant to my goals.

Overall, I am extremely glad that I stumbled onto their website a year and a half ago and that I took a chance to try their program.

Edy Cristian

There is so much to say, it’s such an awesome and super fun school
The instructors are great, helpful and involved, giving challenging, engaging and creative projects! Totally recommend it!

Shant Giragossian