AutoCAD is a very important medium for all architects. It contains the most basic tools we need when making digital drawings. Of course, there are other alternative programs on the market, but AutoCAD still stands out as the most classic and well-known option. Therefore, it is of great importance both for us to learn this program well and for our professors' expectations of us. When they first explained the program in class, everything seemed very easy. However, when it came to actually using it, I realized that it had a different logic and its own shortcuts than other media tools we were used to. Frankly, this was the most challenging part for me. Even though I knew what to do, sometimes everything could get messy just because of a wrong key combination. In my opinion, such software should be started step by step and with simpler examples. However, in our first assignment, since the plan of the house we were working on was a bit complicated, managing the process was really challenging. So much so that I can say that this drawing was definitely the most difficult task I had during this term. Fortunately, our professors gave us another drawing assignment that was simpler and easier to learn afterwards. This new plan was both more understandable and did not tire me technically. Then I realized that as the difficulty decreases, my relationship with the program starts to get better and the fun comes into play. This second experience was really very educational and fun for me in terms of getting used to AutoCAD.

Architectural drawing techniques have always been very fun for me. We had previously learned orthographic and axonometric drawings. Now it was time for perspective drawing. Frankly, we all know something about perspective drawing. Every day, we see everything in some kind of perspective. Most of the photos or drawings we see around us can be perceived this way. Even if we don't know the technique, we all have a grasp on it more or less. Isn't the object that is close big and the one that is far away small? Basically, yes. But of course, in order to use it as an architectural technique, we need some reference points and lines. Even after understanding how these reference points are used, it can sometimes be confusing not to mix them up or to understand how to proceed. After learning the basics of this drawing technique in class, they wanted us to apply it to our case studies from different angles. At first, since I understood the logic, I thought it would be easier to draw in AutoCAD. Because we had both our elevation and plan ready. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out exactly as I expected. First of all, as I mentioned above, I often got confused about which point came from where or what I should do next. After getting used to it, one of my biggest problems was getting lost between reference lines and being able to see what I was drawing. This made it so hard for me that I opened a new layer and moved the lines I didn't need to that layer. These two problems were the kind of problems that everyone can encounter. My last problem was more related to the fact that the lines of the house we were working on were not perpendicular but curved. I think these curves need to be shown with light and shadow, but I still don't have any idea how to show this in AutoCAD.

Architectural technical drawings such as orthographic and axonometric have now become sufficiently understandable and applicable for all of us. Working with textures, different colors, background and foreground interventions with the logic of collage to make these drawings more readable and to understand their relationships with their surroundings more clearly can transform the drawing from a technical presentation into a more artistic form. Frankly, I think this process is quite enjoyable. It could even be the "Barbie dress-up game" of the architecture world! There are a few important elements to consider in this regard. One of these is of course the technical quality of the drawing. However, perhaps the most important thing is that everything is consistent. I would like to explain what I mean by consistency a little: First of all, the ratio of the dimensions in the drawing to each other should be correct and realistic. The dimensions of the human figures, trees, stones and grass should be balanced with each other. The scales of the textures used should also be selected consistently depending on these measurements. Consistency is not only limited to size, but also the general style of the drawing should be harmonious. If a more realistic narrative is preferred, the textures, figures and background used should be selected accordingly. If a more abstract or pastel toned expression is desired, it is important that this style is balanced and consistent within itself. In general, all elements should be in harmony with each other. There are a few more small tips: For example, direct use of black should not be preferred because it is usually too dominant. Light and shadow definitely add dimension to collages and should definitely be used. Paying attention to all these principles, we tried to turn the section of our case study into a collage. I wanted to make a watercolor-style interpretation. Frankly, it was a very fun experience.

A portfolio is a vital piece of work for every design student or anyone in the design business. A portfolio can be both a key to your dream job and the only thing that can end your career before it even starts.  A portfolio should be a brief preview of your work. It should not be overwhelming, nor too simple and comprehensive… We can think of it as a kind of personal advertisement. The important thing when preparing a portfolio is that it should be understandable and represent your work correctly. Just like a blog post: You should only include your own work and explain it correctly… Or maybe they should explain themselves, who knows.  At the end of the long research I did for my portfolio, a certain design began to take shape in my mind and I created a grid system for myself. Since my professors particularly emphasized this grid system, I think that it is important for everything to be in a certain order and within similar boundaries; but sometimes it can be useful to go beyond these boundaries. With this approach, I tried to create a simple but single-colored portfolio with highlights. I aimed to keep the text as short as possible and let my projects speak for themselves.

This time, we worked on a project where we used all the concepts we learned throughout the semester together. We designed three different units and formed a group with these three units that had different volumetric properties and relationships. Returning to the forms and materials I was more familiar with made me feel really comfortable, and the process was very enjoyable for me. I believe that using corrugated cardboard makes it easier to control the enclosure quality of spaces and to create hinges and thresholds. Later, we added linear elements to our groups, allowing us to introduce new characteristics to our volumes. After that, we expanded our organization to include 11 units and 3 groups, which made our strategy even more important. I think following a clear strategy helps to relate volumes to each other and integrate units and groups more effectively. At this stage, my strategy was to surround the central large volume with smaller and more enclosed volumes. Additionally, I connected the three different unit types only within their own axes to establish relationships among them. My model in this form was presented for pre-jury. During the pre-jury, the professors mentioned that they liked the layout of my poster. However, they pointed out that my model did not fully reflect my strategy. Some parts surrounding the central volume were too narrow, and they suggested that removing them might improve the design. They also mentioned that the purpose of the folds was unclear and that it might be more effective to use them in the upper parts. They acknowledged that some volumes and hinges worked well in their specific areas but didn’t create a strong enough effect throughout the entire model. My strategy was understood since it was very strong and clear, but they still emphasized that it needed further development. They also mentioned that I needed to work on my diagram because, in its current state, it was two-dimensional, whereas I needed to create a three-dimensional diagram. This feedback confused me a lot, but I believe I can improve it. After the pre-jury, the professors explained the concepts of hinges and thresholds to us and asked us to specifically focus on these aspects in a certain part of our model. In real life, hinges and thresholds are easier to identify in buildings and structures, but creating a threshold in an abstract environment is quite challenging, in my opinion. After working on this concept in one section of my model, I revised the entire model based on the pre-jury feedback while also paying attention to hinges and thresholds. Following this, the professors mentioned that the references to the central void should also be reflected on the walls and that some parts needed to be opened up. This required me to change my strategy. However, instead of altering my strategy, I decided to create a model that was better aligned with it. I expanded the central void and created a new model using nearly 16 units, then received further critique on this version. At this stage, my strategy evolved into creating a contrast between the large central void and the smaller, denser voids surrounding it. Later, I extended this contrast strategy to the linear elements, ensuring that thick and long elements were contrasted with thin and short ones. Presenting to the jury was truly exciting. I was incredibly nervous throughout the process. Fortunately, the jury members stated that my model successfully reflected my strategy and that my craftsmanship was excellent. However, they mentioned that the contrast strategy in the linear elements was not effective and suggested that if they fragmented from the central part, they could express the void in a different way. They also pointed out that some volumes were too enclosed and that it was unnecessary to fully cover them; instead, allowing some openness could create a more visually and spatially engaging experience. Organizationally, they suggested that the reflections of the central main volume could be seen in the textured areas or at the points where it connects, and that showing these elements on the exterior of the model could contribute to its overall coherence. This way, it would be possible to visually and relationally express that we are looking at the same thing from different perspectives. Even though I think the jury went really well, I can’t deny how nervous and tense I felt throughout the process.

This time, our topic is different from our previous ones, and I think it’s more difficult to understand. We are working on understanding how to create voids and spaces and the relationships between them. As the topic we are trying to grasp changes, along with the materials and shapes we use, I have to admit that I got quite confused. We used a template mostly consisting of triangles, trying to create interconnected voids without removing any pieces but by applying fold and cut & fold operations. Through our initial attempts, we discussed how there needs to be a strategy behind this process and that, even if not visually, we should be able to connect all the spaces logically. In the second exercise, we created our own templates and tried to understand which shapes contributed to which spatial connections. We also reflected on our strategies as we progressed. My strategy was to have two large volumes in opposite directions along the same axis, surrounded by smaller, more fragmented spaces. However, since I am not yet familiar with the material, shapes, and operations, I found it very difficult.

In the TEDU102 course, we had to learn service learning and develop a project for the benefit of the community. Our lecturer was very good. In the first part of the lesson, we learned about the Sustainable Development Goals, why and how they were created, and how we can develop projects based on volunteering for the benefit of society. Then we formed our group and decided on the topic and name of our project. ‘Hidden Forms of Violence in Romantic Relationships: Building Awareness and Empowering TEDU Students’ As it is clear from the name of the project, we decided on a project on creating awareness about manipulation in romantic relationships. After our professor approved it, we started to develop the project and do literature reviews. First of all, we had to measure the level of awareness in our school and for this, we applied the scaled questionnaire from Prof. Dr. Hasan YILMAZ's article Manipulation Scale in Human Relationships to the students in our university. In the meantime, we first contacted the psychology community of our school and then the Gender Equality centre. After learning that both organisations had busy schedules and could not cooperate with us, we contacted the Logos community and they said they could cooperate with us. Then we analysed the results of the survey with Eda Dönmezoğlu and put them into percentages. Rana Sengul prepared some posters to inform people in the school and Zeynep Nisa Çetin hung the posters in different parts of the school. Afterwards, we determined a seminar time with the Logos community and asked Psk. Ebru Öztırak Güngör, who is currently actively doing relationship therapy in Vivere Psychology, to give a seminar on this subject for us, and she did not refuse us. In fact, we were planning to give our seminar face-to-face at school, but unfortunately we could not find a suitable space and time due to some date changes. Nevertheless, we recorded the seminar online and uploaded it to YouTube so that everyone can access it whenever they want and benefit from this valuable information. Afterwards, we presented our project with the poster we prepared at the festival organized at the school for the Tedu102 course, and it was very much appreciated.    The most difficult part of this project was coordinating with university clubs, producing effective content, and touching people while maintaining the sensitivity of the issue. Nevertheless, the positive feedback we received from the participants showed that all our efforts were worth it. Students stated that they started to notice unhealthy relationships thanks to the seminars we organized and the materials we shared. This awareness helped them to draw their own boundaries better, seek help, and support the people around them. This information made us realize some things too. We have gained many important skills in this process. While improving our organizational and communication skills, we have also strengthened our problem-solving competencies in teamwork. Planning events, coordinating with speakers, and making social media announcements have provided me with valuable leadership and project management experience. One of the biggest challenges was organizing speakers by collaborating with various groups. Some organizations directed us to other groups, and our plans were delayed. However, we did not give up and found alternative solutions and used our contacts to speed up the process. Another big challenge was the sensitive nature of the topic. Covert violence and emotional manipulation can be personal and challenging topics for many people. For this reason, we collaborated with mental health experts to create our content, using careful and supportive language to raise awareness and create a safe space. This project not only gave us information about hidden violence but also taught us how to cope with challenges and contribute to society. Seeing that we have achieved much more than we initially thought has been the biggest source of motivation in this process.Frankly speaking, preparing this project has contributed a lot to me. I now feel better about teamwork; I think I have improved myself in terms of human relations and organizing an event. I am aware that manipulation in relationships happens from time to time in all of our lives, and I am more aware of this issue. Prof. Dr. Hasan YILMAZ's article Manipulation Scale in Human Relationships: You can access Vivere Psychology's website here: https://viverepsikoloji.com Vivere Psychology's Instagram account here: @ viverepsikoloji https://www.instagram.com/viverepsikoloji/

Although Photoshop is an application that seems very complicated to everyone, and even those in the profession sometimes do not prefer to use it, I had researched and learned how to use it beforehand. I think it is a very enjoyable program. The freedom to make any changes you want to a picture is an incredible feeling. At the same time, it has a very easy interface to control several pictures, structures, and texts. It has a much simpler interface, especially compared to Rhino and Illustrator. Of course, preparing posters and collages with this interface is also a separate pleasure. Later, we learned Rhino, which is used by architects to prepare three-dimensional digital models. Since the beginning of the semester, I needed an application that I could see three-dimensionally by changing the place of materials in the digital environment. It turned out that Rhino was the application I was looking for! I was really excited when our teachers at school mentioned the application. I think it is a program that makes many tasks easier and is enjoyable to use. Of course, the interface could be a little better, but it is still quite useful. After learning certain things in practice, we also learned how to get orthographic and actionometric drawings of an object we designed in three dimensions. Frankly, this came in handy in the complex organizations we did later, because drawing them by hand would have been a huge burden for all of us. There is also the animation part of Photoshop and Rhino; I didn't know this before. The animation process in Photoshop was really difficult for me. It was a bit confusing at first, and then it became quite challenging. Determining the position, visibility, and movement of everything one by one and needing separate photos for all of these were definitely difficult. Animating in Rhino was much easier. Of course, there were some glitches, but Rhino was definitely easier for the animation I was trying to do. If you ask me, these two programs need to be used in different ways because they serve different purposes. While Photoshop is suitable for simpler visual works, Rhino is more useful for animating three-dimensional objects. However, I think it is very important to learn and use both. I exported all the photos from Rhino one by one and edited this animation in Photoshop. I made this animation by taking snapshots of each moment from the snapshot section of Rhino.

One day, before coming to class, the teachers asked us all to cut a cube opening. None of us understood why we were doing this. It turned out that they were going to explain what an orthographic drawing was. Frankly, it was a very enjoyable class. We were drawing from 3 different angles, independent of perspective. I had a lot of fun doing all my homework. In the first homework, it was really hard to keep the page clean and tidy. Also, getting the line quality and thickness right is really challenging at first. Of course, these difficulties did not reduce the pleasure I had. Later, we learned that we could make the same drawing in a sectioned form and that there was nothing different except scanning the areas where we cut the sections. I think it is very valuable to be able to cast a three-dimensional object into two dimensions in this way. Our first midterm was about this subject. It was an easier midterm than the homework they gave. Of course I had a small deficit. Each line of the hidden lines should be equal. I corrected my mistake after the exam. After these, we learned another method called axionmetric drawing. With this drawing method, we can see 3 different surfaces of the same object in a single drawing without any deformation. As everyone knows, it is very important for us not to be deformed. Although this drawing method was as enjoyable as orthographic, it was not as easy. It also has a section in it, and it is called exploted axionmetric. It is as if they took the features of the two and mixed them. Our 2nd Midteam was also related to this. It was a really hard drawing to understand. It confused us, and at one point I only did what I understood. It really did not make sense, because it was a very difficult drawing. They said that we could make a rhino of it as a bonus later, and I think I understood it better when I made the rhino. Seeing it in 3D or creating it in 3D, even if it was digital, helped it settle in my head.

We start with basic materials, and we learn how to use them; now its time to learn design operations and how to use them. There are three basic design operations, and these are move, rotate, and scale. In the first step we had 2 rectangular planes, and we need to apply these operations with some concussions and in an order. This brings us some awareness about how we use these materials and how these operations affect them. In the second step we produce a unit and then we copy that unit 5 times. So we had 6 exactly the same units. Then we applied those design operations when we brought two of them together to create some variations. In total we had three groups, each with two units. After we bring our unit to the studio, the instructors said that a unit should have plans on each 3D dimension to produce a three-dimensional organization. That becomes our third step: we need to revise our initial unit and produce 2 groups with those exact same 5 initial units. While bringing together these units, we should be aware of which operations we used. And we need to use the linear elements too. And for the final, we should produce a contract that is composed of 5 to 7 units and 2 groups. We need to draw an orthographic set; one of the groups creates a poster. With this final work, we organize a pin-up. We hang our posters and tell about our contracts. It was really fun, and we gained some experience about how to explain our work.