Some say the recession is over and conditions for architects are improving. That may be true, but there are signs that the slump persists.

Case in point: On Saturday, I bumped into Douglas Krull, an emerging architect in Miami who has been hunting for full-time employment since the end of 2008. Krull, 32, was standing outside the convention center with a sign that read “Architect for Sale.” Under it, he posted his resume: earned an M.Arch from Florida International University in 2008; has worked at a couple architecture firms in Florida; and established Animism Studio, which provides architectural design, graphic design, and multimedia services.

Krull said he was partly inspired to set up outside the AIA convention after reading about John Morefield, founder of Architecture 5¢. Unlike Morefield, though, Krull is not trying to attract clients; he’s trying to attract employers. 

Right now, he's paying his bills through a hodgepodge of jobs. For instance, he works up to 30 hours a week for Zoom-Room, a manufacturer of automated Murphy beds. He also is teaching at Miami-Dade College School of Architecture. What he really wants, though, is a permanent position—and the opportunity to work under a licensed architect, so he can start earning hours toward his licensure. He has sent out hundreds of resumes to firms across the country. “There are no full-time positions available,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be this bad.” He notes that most of his former classmates are “unemployed or partially employed.”  

His efforts at the AIA convention might yield results. On Saturday, Krull had collected a half-dozen business cards within an hour.

For more info, visit Krull’s Web site: http://www.animism3d.com/