Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Designers create technical drawings, models, and designs of structures using computer software and work in a variety of industries such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. While it is common for CAD Designers to have either a degree or training from technical school, education is not enough and one needs to demonstrate knowledge of specific skills, tools, and expertise to be hired. Employers will prioritize a CAD Designer’s technical skills and experience in using 2D and 3D CAD software like AutoCAD, Revit, Civil3D, SolidWorks, and SketchUp. Collaboration, communication, and attention to detail are also necessary skills for successful CAD Designers, as these professionals spend much of their time collaborating with engineers, architects, surveyors, and other team members, communicating with different project stakeholders, and troubleshooting designs to ensure accuracy. 

What is a CAD Designer?

A CAD Designer is a skilled professional trained in using computer software to create and refine designs of buildings, structures, machines, and manufactured parts and products. CAD Designers work in a variety of industries including architecture, automotive, construction, engineering, manufacturing, and textiles. The role of a CAD Designer is important to many companies because it is their drawings and models that get created and turned into physical objects and structures. Because of this, CAD Designers need to have strong attention to detail and communication skills so that their designs are accurate and meet the exacting requirements specified by various stakeholders. 

The job of a CAD Designer is skills-based, meaning that one’s skills, technical abilities, and industry experience are prioritized over having a specific college or university degree. While some industries may look for a CAD Designer to have at least an Associate’s degree or training from a vocational school, most employers will also accept three to five years of on-the-job experience instead of a specific degree. CAD Designers need to know how to draft, use math and engineering principles, and be particularly adept at using industry-specific 2D and 3D CAD software, Microsoft Office, and any other project management software required by the organizations they work for. These professionals will work collaboratively as part of a larger team that can include Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, and other Drafters and Designers.

Hard Skills

In addition to a knowledge of math and engineering basics, CAD Designers will need to be proficient in a variety of computer-aided design programs and other important software. This includes standard knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit as well as knowledge of 3D modeling software that is specific to one’s intended industry. Most employers also want to see that candidates can use the Microsoft Office software suite and there can be additional project management software that prospective CAD Designers will also need to learn how to use. 

AutoCAD

Autodesk’s AutoCAD is the leading software for creating technical drawings and models of objects and structures. Regardless of one’s industry, it is likely that a CAD Designer will need to be proficient in using AutoCAD. Many users find AutoCAD especially useful for creating 2D technical drawings and CAD Designers might also be required to use AutoCAD’s 3D modeling capabilities. In addition to a firm and detailed knowledge of AutoCAD, CAD Designers will often have to gain expertise in other industry-specific CAD software, as well. MicroStation, for instance, is another 2D and 3D modeling program that is commonly used in architecture and engineering. 

Industry-Specific 3D Modeling Software

While some CAD Designers use AutoCAD for 3D modeling, many need to master industry-specific software. Those in architecture and various design fields (from landscaping to comic books) can use SketchUp to draw and manipulate 3D models. SolidWorks is used by CAD Designers in engineering, manufacturing, and medical industries to design and develop products. CAD Designers working on civil infrastructure will need to know how to use Autodesk’s Civil 3D, a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used for drafting design, and construction documentation. 

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Revit

CAD Designers working in industries like architecture, MEP engineering, and construction will need to know how to use Autodesk’s Revit software. This BIM software has 2D, 3D, and 4D capabilities so that users can plan, draw, design, construct, and manage buildings. The 4D capabilities of Revit provide a way to visualize a project’s various stages of construction and better plan for the project’s complete lifecycle. As BIM software, it is a more integrated and inclusive modeling program and allows users to include data about costs, deadlines, and resources so that CAD Designers can better collaborate with project stakeholders. 

Microsoft Office

CAD Designers will need proficiency in the full Microsoft Office software suite. Businesses often use Outlook and Teams for communication and to schedule meetings, whereas PowerPoint remains a frequently used program for presenting project information and design ideas to different clients and stakeholders. CAD Designers will find themselves using Word to write reports or contracts and using Excel to manage project resources and costs and to complete important calculations related to the models they are creating. 

Soft Skills

Successful CAD Designers not only need hard skills but there are important soft skills that one needs to succeed in this job, as well. These include attention to detail, collaboration, and communication skills. These skills are just as important as one’s knowledge of different software programs because a project will depend upon a CAD Designer's accuracy, ability to work with others to create and troubleshoot their designs, and to communicate with different stakeholders about a project’s plans and progress. 

Attention to Detail

The technical drawings and models that a CAD Designer creates are the ones that will get made into physical structures and products. This means that CAD Designers need to be exact and utilize their keen attention to detail when creating plans. Successful drawings and models will not only be detailed and accurate, but they will be made to the particular specifications of clients and any other building, manufacturing, and legal regulations. Much of the work of a CAD Design will be looking at designs in CAD software, troubleshooting issues, and making small adjustments and changes to refine the design. 

Collaboration

CAD Designers do not work alone, instead, they will be working on designs with a variety of other collaborators. A CAD Designer will be one part of a larger group of people, which often includes engineers, surveyors, and architects, working on planning, creating, and executing the designs necessary to complete a project. It is also common for CAD Designers to work on, or even be the head of, a team of other Designers and Drafters. This can mean that not only will one need strong collaboration skills, but one needs to hone their leadership and project management skills, as well.

Communication

Because of the amount of collaboration a CAD Designer will be engaged in, it is also important for these professionals to have strong communication skills. CAD Designers will need to not only work with but also communicate with others on their team to refine their drawings and models and complete projects on time. CAD Designers should be able to communicate with various stakeholders to explain and present their drawings and engage in detailed discussions about their design choices. It is also common for a CAD Designer to be tasked with teaching other team members how to use CAD software, a role that requires the ability to explain how the software works to someone who may be a beginner or have only a passing knowledge of it. 

What Other Jobs Require These Skills?

Other jobs that require similar skills are Drafter or Technician and Engineer. Drafters, Designers, and Engineers can all have similar backgrounds in engineering and math and all will need to know how to use CAD software to complete their job requirements. CAD Drafters and Technicians are often more entry-level positions, whereas Designers have more creative control and input into a project’s design. CAD Designers will be able to work alone to plan, draw, and create holistic, detailed designs for structures or objects and these professionals can be the lead or head of a team. A Drafter or Technician, by contrast, will often work under the direct supervision of others and is more likely to be tasked with drawing out another’s design or making changes to an existing design. 

While CAD Designers have creative input into a project, Engineers are ultimately responsible for making sure that the structure, building, or product is functional and meets the requirements to move forward. Engineers are more likely to have received a college or university degree and be well-versed in the theories and concepts of engineering. Often, it is the project’s Engineer who will be responsible for signing off on a Designer’s drawings and models so that they can move forward. 

Overall, someone looking to become a CAD Designer might start working as an entry-level CAD Drafter or Technician. These lower-level roles can provide the further training and expertise one needs to become a Designer. Additionally, a CAD Designer could move up into the position of an Engineer, provided that one has or is willing to get the necessary degrees to fulfill the educational requirements for this career.

Learn the Skills to Become a CAD Designer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a variety of in-person and live online classes that will teach prospective CAD Designers the skills they need to learn to be successful designers, workers, and leaders. Those wanting to learn CAD Design can find AutoCAD classes for every skill level and might also be interested in Noble’s Microsoft Office and project management classes. Every Noble class provides hands-on training from an expert instructor and class sizes are kept small so that students can receive individual attention and feedback. In-person classes are available at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan facility and live online classes can be taken from anywhere. 

Those pursuing a career in CAD Design will be particularly interested in Noble’s AutoCAD classes. If you are unsure whether learning AutoCAD is right for you, consider starting with the six-hour Introduction to AutoCAD class. This one-day class will teach basic drawing and editing techniques using AutoCAD and get complete beginners started using this software. To become proficient in AutoCAD, learners will want to take Noble Desktop’s more comprehensive or advanced AutoCAD classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs. Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Bootcamp is a great way for beginners to learn up to intermediate-level AutoCAD quickly. Bootcamps are accelerated classes and they are one of the best options for those who want to get started using AutoCAD right away to learn necessary, career-oriented skills. 

Bootcamps are not right for every learner and prospective CAD Designers can also take individual AutoCAD classes or sign up for a masterclass to take all three levels of AutoCAD back-to-back. Beginners can take, intermediate learners can take, and advanced learners should take. Beginner-friendly AutoCAD Level I focuses on drawing fundamentals and teaches students how to organize, edit, annotate, and prepare drawings for printing. AutoCAD Level II for intermediate learners adds to this knowledge to teach students advanced and customizable layer techniques, how to create, edit, and store blocks, and how to work with external references and create data tables. Advanced learners should take AutoCAD Level III which focuses on training students how to complete AutoCAD projects from start to finish and provides advanced training in how to use the tools necessary for each project and how to use AutoCAD’s collaboration features. Those who want to take all three classes sequentially should look into signing up for the AutoCAD Masterclass. 

Beginners and those with AutoCAD experience interested in becoming an Autodesk Certified Professional should look to enroll in the AutoCAD Certification Program. This complete program of study provides beginning, intermediate, and advanced training in AutoCAD, six hours of private one-on-one tutoring, and the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam with a free retake option. Certifications are a great way to prove to employers that you have the skills necessary to be a CAD Designer and some will require certification for employment or advancement in one’s career. 

Noble offers two 3D modeling classes that CAD Designers should also consider, 3D Modeling in AutoCAD and SketchUp Pro Bootcamp. Both classes will allow students to learn how to turn 2D drawings into 3D models and will teach the foundation of 3D modeling and editing in their respective software programs. 3D Modeling in AutoCAD requires students to have familiarity with 2D drawing and teaches learners to create solids and surfaces from 2D objects and to use more advanced features of AutoCAD to edit, visualize, and refine the view of one’s models. No previous experience is necessary for the two-day SketchUp Pro Bootcamp which will walk students through the steps of creating a 3D model, working with shapes, solid tools, and text, and exporting and rending one’s 3D model.

Self-Guided CAD Programs

Students who are looking to make a career out of using CAD tools might also be interested in their options for career focused, self guided classes. These courses allow students to learn at their own pace (with guidance and assistance from a professional mentor) and they provide students with career-focused training and job placement support. While many students find it desirable to learn from a live instructor, these self-paced classes are the perfect fit for self-motivated students looking to make a career out of their CAD training.

AutoCAD Certificate Program

The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers an immersive AutoCAD certificate program that aims to help students become career ready within only a few weeks of training. This program provides students with hands-on, job-focused training in the use of AutoCAD and the course is designed with new students in mind, meaning that you’ll move from your first construction draft to a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio over the course of the certificate program. This program also offers students the opportunity to take up to 80 hours of electives to help them specialize in subjects including Revit, Sketchup and Civil 3D Pro. With this option for specialization and the focus on career development training, this certificate program is an ideal entry point for aspiring designers, architects and engineers looking to learn how to use AutoCAD in a professional capacity.

AutoCAD Fundamentals

Students looking for an accelerated introduction to AutoCAD and computer-aided design generally may be interested in taking this introductory course offered by VDCI. Students will learn the basics of using AutoCAD and practical skills that they can bring back to their current jobs or use as the baseline for future CAD training (including some of the other advanced classes offered through VDCI). In this class, students will get live, hands-on instruction in the use of AutoCAD, including exercises in which they create drafting symbols, kitchens and bath fixtures, a floor plan, and deliverable file sheets. While you’ll need more training if you want to make a career out of your AutoCAD skills, this course is an excellent introduction to the kinds of projects that AutoCAD professionals will need to utilize.

AutoCAD Professional

If you have already taken the AutoCAD fundamentals program or you have experience with AutoCAD from another source, you may be interested in moving towards professional level training in this advanced AutoCAD program. In this program, students will learn how to create 2D designs for construction documents that meet all of the necessary and legal standards that they are expected to follow. This course offers practical skills training and is designed to ensure that experienced AutoCAD users are able to get the accelerated training that they need in order to start using the application in more complex professional capacities. This course is built to help students learn at their own pace and class scheduling is incredibly flexible for professionals looking to develop new skills while still working.

SketchUp Fundamentals

This course provides students with the foundational SketchUp skills needed to start working on a wide variety of CAD projects, including collaborative design projects. This course covers introductory and intermediate SketchUp skills that are useful for designers in almost any professional field and you’ll learn how to design and blueprint the interior and exterior of private and commercial buildings. This course serves as an excellent introduction to professional SketchUp uses and you’ll be able to start working with the application in a professional capacity and have laid the groundwork for future, advanced SketchUp training. This is a bundled package of the Introduction to SketchUp Pro and Intermediate SketchUp Pro courses, which can be enrolled in separately. This course also comes with access to the SketchUp Pro application.