Overview
Black Spectacles equips architects with the tools & skills to thrive—at every stage of their careers
From world-class study materials that empower candidates to conquer their licensing exams to expert-led software tutorials that keep professionals sharp, we provide the knowledge & tools architects need to succeed today and lead tomorrow.
Because at Black Spectacles, we believe architects have the power to shape the world—and that raising the bar for the profession starts with raising the standard for how they learn.
Our Story
Black Spectacles began with a simple belief: architects deserve better support to grow their careers.
For founder Marc Teer, that realization started during his time at Gensler, where he was passionate about design—but also frustrated by how difficult and expensive it was to stay current with emerging tools. As an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology and an active member of the AIA’s Young Architects Forum, Marc saw his peers and students facing the same challenges.
Driven by a deep love of learning and a desire to help others succeed, Marc launched Black Spectacles in 2010 to democratize learning in architecture. The goal was to make high-quality, practical education accessible to anyone with an internet connection—regardless of where they lived or what school they attended.
What began as a platform for learning design software quickly became something more. In partnership with AIA Chicago, Black Spectacles launched the first online ARE® test prep solution—and its early success led to a national partnership with AIA and, later, formal recognition from NCARB. Black Spectacles became the first company to have its test prep content reviewed and approved by NCARB, pioneering a new standard of quality in the field. Along the way, the company built more than world-class learning content—it built its own learning platform, enabling custom study experiences and delivering industry-leading pass rates. And from the beginning, Black Spectacles has collaborated with practicing architects from leading firms to ensure every course is grounded in real-world expertise. Today, Black Spectacles is the trusted leader in architecture licensure prep. We’re proud to support a community of architects who have watched the sun come up after their fair share of all-nighters, and who turn every vacation into an architectural pilgrimage. Our mission is to raise the bar for the profession—by building not only great products, but a great company rooted in culture, purpose, and access for all.
Founder Biography
Marc Teer is an award-winning architect, entrepreneur, and the founder of Black Spectacles.
Motivated by a belief that architects deserve better support to grow their careers, Marc launched Black Spectacles to close the gap between education and practice. He was one of the youngest architects ever elevated to Fellow of the AIA, and his insights have appeared in Architectural Digest, ArchDaily, Architect Magazine, U.S. News, and the L.A. Times.
Under Marc’s leadership, Black Spectacles has grown into the leading licensure exam prep platform for architects, with a reputation for exceptional quality and impact. He’s led the creation of a category-defining product while building a strong, values-driven culture—recognized multiple times by Great Place to Work and Built In as one of the best workplaces in the country, known for its high team engagement. That focus on both product excellence and organizational health helped earn Black Spectacles a place on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing education companies in the country
Marc regularly speaks on innovation, design, and the future of architectural education.
