Architect questions

[cndneh]

I played a few of the professions, liking the firefighter the best, and realized I've never done the architecture profession.  I've started and find myself with questions -  

First of all how do you get a good review.  I've gotten some OK reviews but never more than that.  (and we have to get 100 for the LTW!)

Do the Sims like it better if you spend all of their budget?  Some? A bit?  

I had assumed you chat them up a bit to find their likes/dislikes or useful traits and perhaps favorite color, but does that kind of stuff really matter?  

And then the portfolio - do the sketches you draw count? Or just photos?

Also anyone have any other handy hints.

Sorry if these have been answered elsewhere, I just couldn't seem to find it.

[Metropolis Man]

I have not done the architect career myself, but here's the Architectural Design Career article if you have not seen it already.

[cndneh]

Thanks Metropolis Man, I have read that article (well, scanned it)   and reading it properly it answers some of my questions, but still curious about the budget question, and the portfolio, I know (from the fashion profession) that photos counted but not sketches.  Just wondering if this is the same (or if this has been fixed and now the sketches count in the portfolio as well.)

[mtglady]

@ cndneh - regarding the budget, if your client has the 'Snob' trait then you want to spend all of the money in the budget.  If your client has the 'frugal' trait, then it is always best to leave some money in the budget.  My Sim picked up furniture at the junkyard then had the handyman/woman repair them for use in renovating a 'Frugal' Sim's home.  Saved the Sim money and made them very happy.

Regarding your portfolio, sketches do not count toward your 100%, but photos of completed projects do.  Make sure you take the photo when the oppurtunity arises.  Using your phone is great at the beginning, but it is best if you use a camera that you can purchase while on vacation or that are sometimes offered for sale at the consignment store.
 
Most Sims appreciate it if you add a photograph you took (preferably of one of their family members) to the renovation.  You can also add pictures you did or sculptures.  Chatting with them gives you ideas of their likes/dislikes such as:  you don't want to add artwork if they hate art not do you want to add larger windows if they are evil. 

The link Metro gave you lists some of the traits to give you an idea of what you should and should not add to a renovation.

Have fun with this profession and feel free to create and renovate to your hearts content. 

[wildredchild]

Here are some specific traits to look for when interviewing your potential clients :

Snob - will penalize you for not spending all of the budget.

Frugal - give bonuses for coming in under budget

Loves the Outdoors - give bonuses for lots of windows

Hates the Outdoors and Evil - give bonuses for fewer windows

Artistic Sims - like paintings

Can't stand Art - take points away if you add art to their remodel

Bookworms - love to see new bookshelves in the remodel

Workaholics - like to see a quality desk in their remodel

Computer whizzes - love new computers

Technophobes - hate to see new computers or any electronics, like a TV

Couch Potatoes - give bonuses for remodels with chairs and couches that provide extra comfort.

Virtuosos - like to see guitars or stereos in the remodel

Party Animals - give bonuses for new bars

Easily Impressed - just love everything, pretty much no matter what you do as long as you fulfill the required objects

[chrissie]

I think I must be a bit useless at this career I just did what I thought was a good job and the client was furious and said he couldn't live in squalor! Anyone have any ideas where I'm going wrong?

[Metropolis Man]

I think I must be a bit useless at this career I just did what I thought was a good job and the client was furious and said he couldn't live in squalor! Anyone have any ideas where I'm going wrong?

Provide a little more detail—the job, client traits, etc.

[chrissie]

Thank you. I'll try harder next time. I'm obviously not getting on my clients wavelength.

[Saltypaws]

Sometimes, if you redo a bedroom or take away a bed and there are more people than beds, that will come up, at least in mine it did.  I got to do it over and then they liked it.  Sometimes when you think that two people sleep in the same bed, they really don't or if there is not enough room.  These little guys are picky and I finally had to give up on this profession, but I really did enjoy it.  I got impatient, lol.  Good luck.

[malteser60]

Also have a look at how many sims there are in the household compared to beds. For some reason npc sims like to move into houses with not enough beds in it. So even if, say you are re-designing a bathroom, but there aren't enough beds you will get the 'won't live in this squalor' message. An easy option is to just randomely add in another bed. Annoying, I know.

[Sportsfan]

I got the observant LTR which tells me all my clients traits fast. It's best if you don't do too much in build mode, they seem to hate it no matter what. If they ask me to make a kids room into a room for a teenager, for example, I find a room that has a crib or kid decorations, delete everything in the room, and then start buying. Also, put lots of lights, rugs, sculptures, and paintings, as long as it doesn't break your budget.