At the end of each semester, Daniels Faculty students pin up and present their final projects to be critiqued by their instructor, peers and guest critics during Final Reviews. This can be a somewhat stressful time, particularly for graduate students presenting their thesis projects during Thesis Reviews, which will take place from April 15 to 17 this year. So, for all of those graduate students working feverishly on their theses, here is some advice from faculty members and staff on how best to prepare to present a final project.

1. "Discuss your design process and methods, not just the outcomes. Allow the critics to gain a glimpse into the "back-end" of your thesis – your working process, your iterations and experiments, both failed and successful."
Liat Margolis, Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture

2. "Focus on your opening statement about the intent and scope of your thesis. The key to a good presentation and a successful review is your ability to get the critics to accept the underlying premise of your work. Once that is established the review can proceed to a consideration of the quality of the work itself - and you won’t have to spend a lot of valuable time in the review answering questions."
Mark Sterling, Director, Master of Urban Design program

3. "Everything you need is here: Printing FAQ."
Yuri Lomakin, Information Technologist

4. "Your presentation has to be designed too! The atmosphere of the room, they way you will present, the mood, the light...everything needs to be an experience aligned with the content and goals of your thesis. Think carefully and imagine how the reviewers will be seated and will interact with you.
Even if you forget things...never read!
Be yourself, never try to be anything other than yourself.
Be honest, show your doubts if necessary; reviewers always appreciate authenticity!
Never try to have a defensive attitude, listen and answer by increasing the debate, not by confronting.
Don't explain what your drawings or panels are able to say themselves.
Think the way you will start and even more important, the way you will finish!
Be relaxed, and your review will be relaxed too."
Josemaría de Churtichaga, Visiting Professor, Architecture
2014 Frank Gehry International Visiting Chair in Architectural Design

5. "When you feel anxious, look at cute animals on the internet."
Jan Braun, Student Services Assistant and Faculty Office Assistant

6. "You are in charge of the final review: in terms of content, order and direction of discussion. Critics are responding to what you say and what you show AND what you don't say or show.
Tell the critics your thesis statement first. The initial statements you make will implicate how the rest of your presentation is received.
You need to provide your critics with the information they need in order to evaluate your project. Remember, you are the expert on your topic. Act like it. Be confident, comprehensive but also concise.
The size/scale of the drawings and amount of time spent focused on them in the presentation impacts how much they will be discussed. Don't prioritize your background information over your design work.
Use your drawings. You should be speaking directly to your work. The drawings should be your guide during the presentation. They will help you if you forget your place, and they are backup if you forget to say something. You have worked so hard all term – let the drawings work for you!"
Elise Shelley, Assistant Professor, Architecture and Landscape Architecture

7. "The foundation for an excellent final presentation begins weeks in advance with the preparation of a clear storyboard of the content for your final set of panels/artifacts. This will assist in directing the narrative and framing your argument for your final review. A clear and organized layout will structure your presentation, assuring you stay on point and, above all, preventing the occurrence of the dangerous ramble, serving only to confuse invited critics. Getting some much needed sleep to ensure you are coherent really helps as well. Best of luck."
Francesco Martire, Lecturer, Architecture and Landscape Architecture

8. "Model making will always take twice as long as planned. Visit the workshop early to make sure the materials you need are in stock. The cut list (requests for materials to be cut in the workshop) is first come, first served - requests can be sent to workshop@daniels.utoronto.ca."
Johnny Bui, Workshop Technologies & Facilities Officer

9. "When it comes time to present your project, don't feel like you have to include everything you've worked on into your presentation. Pick something that matters most and is evident in the work that you've produced, and tell a really interesting story about just that. Digressions and sidetracks are ok, just make sure that their sum doesn't overshadow your big idea."
Michael Piper, Assistant Professor, Architecture and Urban Design

10. "Think happy, positive thoughts before you present – and don't forget to smile!"
Heather Huckfield, Program Coordinator

11. "Weave a good story that will teach the jury something they don't know or that will prompt them to see existing conditions in a new way. Present the key points in a clear hierarchy, so that small details don't require exhaustive explanation, as their graphic representation and hierarchical placement will make them understood. Speak in a manner that relays why your project is important to you, so that the jury will also be convinced of its value."
Alissa North, Director, Master of Landscape Architecture program

12. "Give yourself enough time to practise your talk and get feedback from your classmates. Be confident and relaxed to enjoy this special moment in your career! I wish you all success!"
Benjamin Dillenburger, Assistant Professor, Architecture
 

Final Reviews, and Thesis Reviews, for graduate students in architecture, landscape, and urban design are open to the public and take place from April 6 to 17, 2015.