"In order to engage students in creative analysis and communication, I use freehand perspective drawing as a rapid design tool. Fast, loose drawings communicate conceptual and branded ideas that can be laid out in more detail on the computer at a later phase. Sharing my passion for sketching with others leads to a better built environment. Therefore, I seek opportunity to teach aspiring and seasoned designers and artists a critical path to an improved design process." -Joel Berman (ALA, NCARB, LEED-AP)
FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL - JOEL BERMAN
2002 - PRESENT
Founder and CEO of a fast-growing commercial Architectural Services firm.
INSTRUCTOR, THORNTON TOMASETTI STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
September 2022- January 2023
Teaching structural engineers freehand sketching techniques using office views of the Chicago River.
Reference: Holly McCauley (hmccauley@thorntontomasetti.com)
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - TORONTO, ONTARIO
May 2022
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught licensed architects at various locations in Toronto.
Reference: Ellen Savitsky (ellenS@OAA.on.ca)
INSTRUCTOR, THE ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED ARCHITECTS - VIRTUAL
July 2020
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught licensed architects at various locations in Toronto.
INSTRUCTOR, BERMAN SKETCHING - VIRTUAL
Summer 2020
Taught 9-13 year old children freehand sketch techniques.
Reference: Markys Mackey (markys@buildverity.com)
INSTRUCTOR, ANDREWS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE - VIRTUAL
June 2020
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught students freehand sketch techniques.
Reference: Professor Mark Moreno (mmoreno@andrews.edu)
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC
May 2019
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught licensed architects at various locations in historic Quebec City.
ADJUNCT FACULTY, HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL - HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS
April 2019/2017/2013
Highland Park Focus on the Arts: Taught 15-20 high school students how to sketch.
INSTRUCTOR, URBAN SKETCHERS CHICAGO, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Summer 2018/2017/2016/2015/2014
How to Sketch like an Architect.
Reference: Alex Zonis (alexandrazonis@gmail.com)
INSTRUCTOR, ROYAL ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA AND ARCHITECTS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW BRUNSWICK, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - ST. JOHN, BRUNSWICK
May 31, 2018
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught licensed architects how to sketch at various locations on site in downtown St. John, New Brunswick.
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - TORONTO, ONTARIO
May 24-25, 2018
Freehand Sketching for Architects: Taught licensed architects at various locations on site in Downtown Toronto.
INSTRUCTOR, ALBERTA ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - BANFF, ALBERTA
May 10, 2018
Taught Licensed Architects how to sketch at various sites in Downtown St. John, New Brunswick.
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS AND ROYAL ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA - OTTAWA, ONTARIO
May 2017
Immersion[Joy of Sketch]. Taught licensed architects to freehand sketch at various locations in downtown Ottawa, ON.
INSTRUCTOR, KENDALL COLLEGE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Summer 2016
Hospitality Design.
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - HAMILTON, ONTARIO
May 2016
Freehand Sketching for Architects: One Day Immersion [or – The Joy of Sketch]. Taught full day seminars of 15-20 architects at various locations on site in Downtown Toronto, ON.
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - HAMILTON, ONTARIO
May 2015
Freehand Sketching for Architects: One Day Immersion [or – The Joy of Sketch]. Taught full day seminars of 15-20 architects at various locations on site in Downtown Toronto, ON.
INSTRUCTOR, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE - MONTREAL, QUEBEC
May 2014
One Day Immersion [or – The Joy of Sketch]. Taught a full day seminars of 20 architects at various locations on site in the Old City of Montreal.
CONSULTANT, INTERNATIONAL HOME AND HOUSEWARES SHOW - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
March 2009/2014
Remodeling or Building, a Specialty Retailer Consulting Session – worked one on one with retail store owners.
INSTRUCTOR, CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION & THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE HUMANITIES (NEH)
July 2013/2012/2010/2009
Landmark Series: The American Skyscraper, Transforming Chicago and the Nation. Taught 30 primary school teachers from
around the United States how to freehand sketch and how to teach freehand sketching.
INSTRUCTOR, CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
2005-2011
How to Sketch Like an Architect. Taught classes of 15-25 students of all ages on site at various locations in downtown Chicago.
TOUR GUIDE, CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION - CHICAGO RIVER
June 17 & August 5, 2010
Chicago River Architectural Kayak Tour through the Loop.
INSTRUCTOR, COLUMBIA COLLEGE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
1997-2005
Adjunct Faculty. Taught Masters and Undergraduate courses in freehand sketching and AutoCAD.
LEAD DESIGNER + BIM MANAGER - RYAN DAVIS
2019 - PRESENT
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, ANDREWS UNIVERSITY - BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
AUGUST 2020- PRESENT
Professor for both Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Advanced Drawing at Andrews University.