Search
Vaishnavi M.'s Photo

Harvard GSD Architect | Architecture Portfolios & Graduate Admissions
Vaishnavi M.

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $80
Contact Vaishnavi

About Vaishnavi

Bio

If you're applying to architecture or design school, building your portfolio, or trying to figure out which graduate programs are right for you, I can help you approach the process with greater clarity and strategy.
I earned my Master in Design Studies from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and my Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. Having gone through competitive architecture and design admissions myself, I understand how challenging it can be to decide...

If you're applying to architecture or design school, building your portfolio, or trying to figure out which graduate programs are right for you, I can help you approach the process with greater clarity and strategy.
I earned my Master in Design Studies from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and my Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. Having gone through competitive architecture and design admissions myself, I understand how challenging it can be to decide where to apply, build a strong portfolio, write your statement, and bring your entire application together into one clear story.

I work with students and early-career professionals on architecture and design portfolios, graduate school applications, statements of purpose, résumés, program selection, project presentation, and overall application strategy.

For portfolio reviews, we can look at everything from project selection and sequencing to layouts, graphics, storytelling, diagrams, and how effectively your work communicates your design thinking. For graduate applications, we can discuss which programs fit your goals, how to position your background, and how your portfolio, SOP, résumé, and application should work together.

My background also extends beyond traditional architecture practice into design technology and entrepreneurship. I have built venture-backed companies at the intersection of architecture, design, and technology and participated in the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem.
My goal is not simply to tell you what to change. I want you to understand why something is or isn't working and leave every session with clear, actionable next steps.

Whether you're just beginning your graduate school search or preparing a portfolio for submission, send me a message with what you're working on and where you are in the process.

Read more

Education

Harvard University
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $80
  • Rate details: Online lessons for architecture portfolios, admissions, and startup coaching. Longer 90-minute sessions available for portfolio reviews and pitch prep. Message me with your goals.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Vaishnavi hasn’t set a schedule.

We’re having trouble loading this schedule right now. Please try again later.

Approved Subjects

Architecture

Architecture

I hold a Bachelor of Architecture, a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, and a Master in Design Engineering from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. My background covers architectural design, design research, technology, visual communication, and professional practice. I help students strengthen design concepts, project narratives, portfolios, presentations, and preparation for architecture-school reviews. My approach combines constructive critique with clear, practical steps students can immediately apply to their work.
Business

Business

I am a two-time founder who has built companies at the intersection of architecture, technology, and business and raised more than $1 million in venture funding. My experience includes idea validation, customer discovery, business models, product strategy, fundraising, pitch decks, and startup execution. I have also participated in the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem and the Forum Ventures accelerator. I help students and aspiring founders turn broad ideas into clear business concepts, practical plans, and compelling presentations.
Career Development

Career Development

I earned an M.Arch II from the University of Michigan and an MDes with a Technology concentration from Harvard GSD after beginning my career with a B.Arch. My professional path has included architectural practice at HDR and Zack | de Vito, followed by building ArchSlate and Zenoya as a technology founder. These transitions taught me how to translate architecture and design experience into business, technology, product, and leadership opportunities. I help students and professionals identify transferable skills, evaluate career options, and create a practical plan for moving toward their target role.
Graphic Design

Graphic Design

I hold three degrees across architecture and design, including a Master in Design Studies from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. My experience includes visual communication, presentation design, architecture portfolios, pitch decks, layouts, and communicating complex ideas through clear graphics. I help students improve visual hierarchy, composition, typography, consistency, and the overall narrative of their work. My approach connects design decisions to the intended audience and purpose rather than focusing only on decoration.
Marketing

Marketing

I am a two-time founder with experience positioning companies, identifying target customers, conducting customer discovery, and bringing new products to market. I help students and early-stage founders clarify their audience, value proposition, messaging, competitive position, and go-to-market strategy. My experience is particularly relevant to startups, professional services, architecture, design, and technology businesses. I teach marketing as a practical process of understanding customers and communicating why a product or service matters.
Project Management

Project Management

My background in architecture and entrepreneurship has required me to manage complex projects involving schedules, teams, budgets, deliverables, clients, and changing priorities. I am also building a project-management platform for architecture and design firms, which has given me extensive insight into how creative projects are planned and operated. I help students understand project planning, task management, team coordination, risk identification, progress tracking, and clear communication. My teaching focuses on practical project-management systems for architecture, design, startups, and creative businesses rather than certification-exam preparation.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

My experience as an architect and venture-backed founder has required me to present complex ideas clearly to investors, accelerators, customers, students, and professional audiences. I help learners structure presentations, strengthen their central message, improve delivery, and communicate with greater confidence. My areas of focus include startup pitches, academic presentations, architecture reviews, professional talks, panels, and interview presentations. Sessions combine practical rehearsal with specific feedback on content, pacing, clarity, body language, and audience engagement.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

I hold graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where my work involved research, design, technology, and communicating complex ideas. I help students develop a focused research question, organize arguments, connect evidence to their central position, and create a clear thesis structure. Sessions can include topic development, outlining, narrative organization, presentation preparation, and detailed feedback on drafts. I am particularly well suited to architecture, design, technology, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary research projects.
Vaishnavi M.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Vaishnavi before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Vaishnavi
Hourly Rate: $80
Contact Vaishnavi