101 Things I Learned
101 Things I Learned is a series of instructional books created by architect Matthew Frederick. Each volume follows a signature format: 101 brief lessons paired with technical drawings designed to demystify complex professional fields for students and laypeople.
The series launched in 2007 with 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School, which became a Los Angeles Times bestseller and was translated into over 25 languages. While frequently cited for its clarity, the series has faced criticism from some academics who argue that its minimalist approach can oversimplify the nuanced theories and ethics essential to professional practice.
Origins and development
The concept grew out of Frederick's experience as a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the early 1990s. He felt that design education often relied on abstract critiques that left students without a grasp of foundational principles. His goal was to bridge the gap between creative theory and practical application.While teaching in Boston, Frederick developed a classroom handout titled "24 Things I Learned in Architecture 101." At the urging of literary agent Sorche Fairbank, he expanded the handout into a full manuscript, which was published by MIT Press.
Collaborative process
Frederick remains the primary editor and illustrator. For volumes outside his own expertise, he collaborates with educators and specialists to identify jargon and common "bottlenecks" in student understanding. The editorial process centers on distilling complex concepts into their most essential elements to ensure accessibility.The editor
is an architect, urban designer, and educator. An MIT graduate, he has taught at Boston Architectural College and Wentworth Institute of Technology. His writing on urbanism and pedagogy has appeared in Architect magazine. Frederick personally art-directs or illustrates every volume to maintain the series' visually consistent aesthetic.Educational philosophy and format
The series uses a rigid layout designed to minimize cognitive load. Each lesson is presented on a two-page spread:- Verso : a concise text explanation, usually limited to 200 words.
- Recto : a single line drawing or diagram that reinforces the text.
Frederick frames his methodology through "Three Levels of Knowing": simplicity, complexity, and informed simplicity. He suggests that while students often struggle within the "complexity" phase, the books are intended to guide them toward "informed simplicity," referring to a synthesized understanding where profound concepts are articulated without relying on jargon.
Series listing
| Title | Co-Author | Year | Description |
| Architecture School | Matthew Frederick | 2007 | The debut volume established the series format. It moves from basic drawing techniques to complex theories of spatial organization, emphasizing that architecture is about ideas rather than just construction. It is noted for its explanation of the parti and the creation of positive space. |
| Business School | Michael W. Preis | 2010 | This volume demystifies the abstract curricula of MBA programs by focusing on the human element of commerce. It explains how leadership, ethics, and marketing strategy intersect with hard numbers, framing business as a series of value exchanges and exploring concepts like price elasticity. |
| Culinary School | Louis Eguaras | 2010 | A guide to the professional kitchen that prioritizes technique over specific recipes. It covers the hierarchy of the brigade system, proper knife handling, and the science of heat transfer, emphasizing that great cooking relies on preparation and organization as much as flavor. |
| Fashion School | Alfredo Cabrera | 2010 | Explores the structural engineering of clothing and the history of silhouette. This book connects the artistic side of fashion design with the practical realities of textile manufacturing, pattern making, and the mechanics of draping to accommodate the movement of the human body. |
| Film School | Neil Landau | 2010 | Focuses on the "language" of cinema and visual storytelling. It breaks down the mechanics of screenwriting while covering the technical role of cinematography, stressing that every frame of mise-en-scène must advance the narrative. |
| Engineering School | John Kuprenas | 2013 | A survey of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering principles. It uses real-world examples, such as structural load and thermodynamics, to explain abstract physics. The authors emphasize failure analysis and the search for the most elegant solution to complex problems. |
| Law School | Vibeke Norgaard Martin | 2013 | Breaks down the Socratic method and the logic of legal argumentation. It covers the distinction between torts and contracts, and how precedent shapes current rulings, aiming to teach readers how to "think like a lawyer" by detaching emotion from facts. |
| Urban Design School | Vikas Mehta | 2018 | Examines the "space between buildings" and the collective experience of the public realm. It differentiates urban design from architecture by focusing on walkability, street typologies, and the social responsibility of designers to create inclusive, safe environments. |
| Advertising School | Tracy Arrington | 2018 | A primer on brand identity and the psychology of persuasion. It explains the shift from traditional print media to digital engagement, focusing on how to write a creative brief that connects a product's truth to consumer behavior. |
| Product Design School | Sung Jang | 2020 | Investigates the relationship between form, function, and user experience. It covers the lifecycle of a product, from rapid prototyping to manufacturing, emphasizing ergonomics and the ethical implications of mass production. |
| Psychology School | Tim Bono | 2023 | Summarizes psychological theories into practical insights on human behavior, cognition, and emotion. It bridges the gap between clinical research and everyday application, covering topics such as cognitive behavioral therapy, neuroscience, and behavioral economics. |