The Fountainhead

or how I learned to push past conventional thinking...

He pulls up a chair next to mine. I take my hand of the mouse and begin to ask how I would go about framing the windows I designed for my home. He leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest. I can tell by the look on his face what he is about to say. I've already heard him give this speech to another student. Its a speech about how this class is really set up to provide students with a conventional understanding of construction. He says things like contractors don't like change or that custom building is too expensive. That employers are going to want to see that students understand the basic framework of construction. So what happens is our portfolios get loaded with track homes which to me is not very interesting to look at. While I understand his argument, I don't necessarily agree. I want to show a future employer that not only do I understand the fundamentals but I can also design something original. I figure I'll have plenty of time for conventional building practices once I get into the industry. Right now I am a student and this is my fountainhead. I want my portfolio to reflect what I am capable of doing.