5 Things Every ARCHITECT Needs (under $20)

Sharing (a few) of my favorite items from my everyday carry - all under $20 - that every architect (and student) needs as well as a philosophy on living a creative life. These tools are the raw materials for design, the inspiration comes from within, in this video I share how I refill my creative stores week after week; it's a reminder for architects, aspiring architects, and students alike.

My updated list of daily carry can always be found here.

Here are the tools mentioned:

1. Sketchbook (BLANK) - custom designed + manufactured by 30X40

2. Tombow Click Eraser

3. Alvin Scale (or) Midori Scale

4. 1” Cardboard Stencils (the Midori set in the video I found to be too small)

5. Alvin .7mm Mechanical Pencil (good for bold pencil work, see below for my favorite for general sketching)

6. Pilot V7

7. Signo pen

8. Pentel Sign Pen

9. Koh-i-noor Woodless Colored Pencils

10. Col-erase Pencil (carmine red)

11. Muji Pencil Case

12. Copic Sketch Series markers

13. Tracing paper roll ( 12” x 50 yds )

14. Muji eraser

15. Sharpie Ultra Fine (black)

16. Dot grid sketchbook (alternate to Muji above)

17. Sakura Gelly Roll (medium) White Gel Pen

18. Kuru Toga .5mm mechanical pencil

19. Olfa L2

20. Strathmore Toned Tan Sketchbook

21. Muji Desk Brush/Pan Set

Copic markers are alcohol based which makes them fantastic for blending. They’re what I use 100% of the time when working on trace. I’m always asked to share my favorite colors. If you’re just getting started sketching, I recommend starting with the neutral grays first.

Grays:

Neutral Gray Sketching Set (set of 5 + .5mm multiliner (won’t smudge like other inks will when used with the Copics)

Colors:

YR27, YR23, YR20 (set of three)

Y00, Y13, Y18 (set of three)

Links to other favorites in this post.