Is Architectural Design Right For Me?

Before beginning a career as an Architectural Designer, you need to consider the aspects of the job that you must commit to. Architectural Designers need technical expertise, particularly with CAD and BIM software. They must also know how to read blueprints, collaborate with other professionals, and understand building codes. A growing demand for sustainable designs has also influenced what aspiring Architectural Designers need to focus on during their training. This article will dive into these factors and help you decide if an Architectural Designer career is right for you.

What is an Architectural Designer?

Architectural Designers transform design concepts into reality. When studying architectural design, students learn how to create functional, sustainable, responsive, and aesthetically pleasing structures. This role requires one to develop technical design skills and soft skills. Architectural Designers must also keep up with industry trends. In recent years, sustainable design has become more popular among home and business owners. Many clients expect new builds to incorporate sustainable designs and energy-efficient systems. An Architectural Designer looking forward knows how to keep up with these trends and advancements in architecture and construction. 

Architectural Designers often work with other professionals involved in architecture and construction. Architects usually lead an architectural design team. They plan and oversee the construction process while also managing contracts. Architectural Designers may also work alongside Interior Designers, who make indoor spaces functional, and BIM Specialists. This role may also require collaborating with engineers, contractors, and clients. The level of teamwork associated with Architectural Designer roles means that individuals working in this field need excellent communication skills.

Why Become an Architectural Designer?

Architectural Designers are in high demand in the US because of population growth, aging infrastructure, and a growing trend toward sustainable design. Training to become an Architectural Designer will help you develop the skills needed to pursue this in-demand career. Getting started now can help you quickly enter the field and benefit from the expected demand. The industry is competitive, but you’ll likely find the salary and potential for growth rewarding. 

You should also consider becoming an Architectural Designer if you want to work in a creative field. Architectural Designers can express their creativity through their designs. Although clients usually have ideas in mind that designers need to follow, there is still a lot of room for creativity. Working on project designs will also give you the chance to improve your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. 

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Technical Expertise

Architectural Designers need technical expertise. Architectural professionals, including Architectural Designers, use computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) software. When enrolling in architectural design software, you’ll find classes and bootcamps that cover Autodesk AutoCAD, one of the most commonly used CAD software. With AutoCAD, users can create 2D and 3D drafts, designs, and models. Architectural Designers typically use the software to create floor plans, elevations, and sections within their projects. 

Another software you’ll learn to master in your Architectural Designer training is Autodesk Revit. Revit is a BIM software used to create and edit detailed 3D models of buildings and their components. Architectural Designers depend on Revit to explore design options and understand how the space within their design looks and feels. Engineers and contractors also use Revit during the building process. 

Blueprint Reading

Blueprint reading is a necessity for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. Professionals use blueprints to show others working on a project the design and layout of the building. Originally, professionals created blueprints with white lines using blue paper, hence the name blueprint. Nowadays, architects use computers to create blueprint drawings. 

Architectural Designers, along with everyone else involved in an architectural project, need to know how to read blueprints so that they understand what is being built. In your role as Architectural Designer, you may need to lead others working on a project. Understanding exactly how the project should look and be constructed is key to knowing how to lead others and ensure that a project is moving along. Knowing how to read blueprints and track project progress can also help you communicate the project’s status to clients. 

Collaborating with other Professionals

If you plan to become an Architectural Designer, you need to know how to collaborate with others. Architectural projects are collaborative projects. As an Architectural Designer, you’ll work with clients, architects, contractors, and other team members working on a project. Even when preparing work independently, Architectural Designers need to have others in mind. For example, they need to work with the client to understand their needs and wants for a project. They also often manage other team members and communicate with onsite crews to ensure that a project is running smoothly and closely following the intended design. 

Regulatory Knowledge

Architectural Designers need to know their state’s building codes and other regulations about building design, construction, and safety when working on projects. Although architects tend to handle more of the legal aspects of a project, Architectural Designers should also have a solid understanding of what does and does not meet codes. When working on designs, they need to ensure that they’re adhering to their state’s standards. Many Architectural Designers visit sites during project construction and have a chance to make sure regulations are met then too. Aspiring Architectural Designers training to pursue architectural design as a career can learn about their state’s codes and regulations in their classes, by studying code documents, and by consulting local building departments. They should also regularly review codes during the design process to ensure their designs comply with codes. 

Sustainable Architecture

As an aspiring Architectural Designer, you should explore sustainable design. Sustainable architecture, particularly the use of sustainable technologies and materials, is becoming popular in the US. This branch of architecture calls on professionals to use smart designs and technologies to minimize the negative impact of their designs on the ecosystem and local communities. 

Enroll in a class centered around sustainable design to learn how you can commit to creating eco-friendly and effective designs. In these classes, you’ll learn how to conduct research on building materials and the climate and energy needs of your project sites. These classes will also teach you about green building standards, with some focused on helping students become LEED-certified. 

Do I Need a Degree to Become an Architectural Designer?

You can become an Architectural Designer without a degree. Although some Architectural Designers pursue degree programs before entering the field, another option available is to enroll in accredited architectural design classes or non-degree programs. In these classes, you’ll learn about conceptual design and fundamental design principles. You can also enroll in blueprint reading courses and pursue certifications. 

The types of classes and resources you can rely on to learn architectural design include:

• Free resources. Enrolling in a free short-form training class, like the classes offered by online learning platforms Udemy and Coursera, can help you learn the basics of architectural design before pursuing formal training methods. You can also save money by watching training videos uploaded to YouTube. These videos can help you learn how to use software Architectural Designers use, such as AutoCAD. 
• On-demand classes. Students who can’t commit the time or funds to a degree program can enroll in on-demand classes. These asynchronous courses let students learn the fundamentals of architectural design at a pace that works for them. If you have a busy schedule and need to fit in lessons after work or school, consider signing up for an on-demand class. 
• Live online classes and bootcamps. For a more traditional learning experience, enroll in a live online class or bootcamp. Expert instructors guide live online students through lessons. Learning from a live instructor gives you the chance to ask questions, receive feedback, and view demonstrations. You can find classes that run from anywhere between one day to several months. 

Learn the Skills to Become an Architectural Designer at Noble Desktop

Interested in developing the skills needed to become an Architectural Designer? Check out these live online classes you can enroll in today. 

Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Bootcamp will teach you the fundamentals of technical drawing. The 30-hour live online bootcamp covers the creation of 2D drawings using AutoCAD. Lessons range from beginner to intermediate-level skills. You can expect to learn basic drawing and modifying techniques for drafting and technical drawing in the bootcamp’s beginner-level lessons. As part of the bootcamp, you’ll receive access to a 1-on-1 training session with an expert who will answer questions you have about challenging course concepts and provide assistance with your project. After completing the course, you have one year to take advantage of a free retake. Before enrolling in this bootcamp, please be aware that Noble designed the course for PC users. Noble hosts in-person PC-only versions of the bootcamp, but Mac users may attend the live online bootcamp. If using a Mac, be aware that the Mac AutoCAD graphic interface is different from the PC version that the instructor will use.

For a more intensive AutoCAD training experience, enroll in Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Certification Program. This live online program will prepare you to become an Autodesk Certified Professional. An expert instructor will guide you and your classmates through beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level AutoCAD. In addition to 48 hours of hands-on lessons, you’ll have access to six hours of private tutoring. During your tutoring sessions, you can ask questions about topics of interest and challenging course content. The program fee includes the cost of the certification exam and a retake. If you want to enroll in the program but don’t want to take the exam, let Noble Desktop know and they will instead provide you with an extra hour of tutoring. 

Sign up for Noble’s AutoCAD Masterclass to learn the foundations of AutoCAD along with advanced-level skills. You’ll learn through hands-on lessons that cover the basics of AutoCAD, like opening and creating drawings, exploring the interface, and using fundamental drawing and editing commands. Later lessons covered in the course teach effective working methods and accurate positioning. The course intends to help students gain real-world experience through project-based lessons where you’ll learn to use productivity tools commonly utilized by Architectural Designers. Along with 48 hours of training, Noble includes one 1-on-1 training session where you can ask an expert about challenging course topics. 

VDCI offers accredited classes to help you develop the skills needed to work as an Architectural Designer. In their Introduction to Revit course, you’ll learn about foundational Revit concepts and how they relate to BIM. This hands-on class will help you gain real-world experience as you work on a class project that includes floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, curtain walls, and roof design.

VDCI’s Revit Architecture Professional Program will introduce you to beginner and intermediate-level Revit. During these lessons, you’ll design 3D building models and learn how to explore BIM project management techniques. Three courses within the program cover construction documents. In BIM Construction I, II, and III, you’ll learn how to produce renderings for presentation and documentation. Lessons also cover building topography for projects and cataloging building information using schedules. 

Enroll in VDCI’s BIM Certificate Program to learn how to use Revit to create 3D models of commercial building projects. The 100% online class includes 290 clock hours of comprehensive lessons covering Revit, construction documents, and BIM detailing. You will also have your choice of 60-80 clock hours of electives that will count toward completing your certificate program training, and you will gain relevant work experience while working on a capstone project.