Architects vs Draftsmen

So you are thinking about the pros and cons of hiring architects vs draftsmen…

Have you made the decision to build a home? Well, what is the next step?

Of course, your next step should be designing your home, but how will that plan come about?

You could go directly to an architect, select an existing plan, or go to a home building company. If you choose the latter option, you may wonder if the company has draftsmen or professional architects on staff. Let’s review the difference between a draftsman and an architect.

Architects vs draftsmen

These two terms can be quite confusing. It may seem like they perform very similar functions. Yes, they both work in the field of construction and are expert in making designs for different building projects. However, there are some distinct differences between these two professions.

What Is Architecture?

Architecture is a passion, a vocation, a calling – as well as a science and a business. It has been described as a social art and also an artful science. Architecture must be of the highest quality of design.

The profession of designing buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodelling of existing buildings.

What Is Drafting?

Drafting refers to creating technical drawings that communicate how something is constructed or functions. Drafting is intended to have one particular meaning, which is made clear with symbols and measurements. Hence, it is different from a visual drawing such as art because visual drawing is open to interpretation.

While sketching and diagramming can both be considered drafting, AutoCAD software makes these ideas more clear and turns them into sophisticated models in either 2-D or 3-D.

Who is an Architect?

An architect is a professional, who designs and builds structures for people to work, live, eat, shop, and worship in. Here, structures include office buildings, homes, schools, and complexes for outdoor, indoor, public, or private use. Architects must also make sure buildings are functional, safe, and economical. They are involved in every phase of the project, from planning to completion.

Architects use computer-aided design (CAD) software along with building information modelling (BIM) to render construction drawings. They must ensure these designs adhere to ordinances like zoning laws, fire regulations, and building codes. Architects must also keep persons with disabilities when creating these structures to make sure it is accessible.

Who Is A Draftsman?

A draftsman is essentially trained and qualified to create to-scale technical drawings that include detailed specifications. These drawings are mostly created using CAD, or computer-assisted design software and three-dimensional representations of the object.

Draftsmen often continue their study and experience to include design and usually work with architects or engineers, depending on their expertise. They take the instructions from the engineers or architects to produce accurate templates, blueprints and 3D visual models. Draftsmen are often employed in a drafting service, and can be engaged by architects or engineers to produce blueprints for a variety of projects.

Educational Requirement For An Architecture

The educational and licensing requirements for an architect are much higher than for a draftsman. An Architect should require at least a Bachelor’s degree, but some might also have a Master’s in the field. Some course topics might be CAD, construction methods, architectural history, math, and technology. They must also gain work experience before they graduate through internships. Working architects are expected to periodically continue their education through conferences, classes, and workshops.

Educational Requirement For A Draftsman

Draftsmen obtain their education through college training and get a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree at technical institutes or community colleges. Topics of study typically include sketching, design, and CAD. Unlike architects, draftsmen do not need to apply for licensing. They can also get certification in a specialized area.

While architects and draftsmen share some job duties, architects complete more education and must meet licensing requirements. Their level of expertise is better suited for an entire project.

Professional Advancement In Architecture:

After working for multiple years, it is possible for an architect to advance and promoted as Architectural and Engineering Managers. These jobs include greater responsibilities in terms of project coordination and employee supervision.

Professional Advancement In Drafting:

Drafters may be able to advance their job prospects by earning a professional certification from any certified institute. Drafters may become certified in a specialty area.

What To Expect From A Draftsman?

A draftsman is proficient in all aspects of technical and material designs, dimensions, and procedures. If you choose to work with a draftsman, you can expect construction-ready design drawings, technical schematics, and material design drawings. Generally you can’t expect a draftsman to have the artistic or comprehensive background to go beyond making minor changes to your plan.

What To Expect From An Architect?

You can make drastic artistic changes to your plan with the expert advice of your architect. An architect is better able to see the entire scope of your project and design to meet all your needs, contemplating not only the size of a space but how you move and live inside it. The flow of the layout, the functionality of the space, and how the architecture adds character throughout.

A draftsmen’s training is primarily focused on technical issues, while an architect is trained artistically, technically, and holistically.

How Does An Architect Work?

An architect are mainly come up with plans for the construction projects involving commercial and residential buildings and spaces. His/her responsibility is to determine the specifications and measurements of the structures to be made as well as the materials that should be used for the project. An architect also provides the details of the project’s interior and exterior designs as well as the cost of construction. He plans for the estimated time for completion of the project.

An architect must have the knowledgeable about building codes, fire ordinances and zoning restrictions. The designs should also be made to comply with these rules and regulations. He is responsible for discussing with the clients first to determine their (the clients’) plans for the project and/or any other specific design requests they (the clients) may have. Architects may even perform tasks that are not really part of designing the structure but also related to it and are done before construction commences. These include selecting the site, conducting feasibility studies and undertaking environmental impact studies.

How Does A Draftman Works?

A Draftsman or drafter, typically, translates the concepts or designs of architects to technical drawings or blueprints. Although architects are trained to make these drawings, in a real world setting, this task is often assumed by drafters. Draftsmen use Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) software to come up with the technical specifications of the designs planned by the architects. Most often, architects and engineers simply come up with rough sketches of the designs that their clients want. They then communicate these to the drafters who will take care of making the schematic diagrams or outline. Schematic diagrams/outline refers to the main form and features of something, usually in the form of a drawing, which helps to interpret it.

Draftmen use their knowledge of building and construction to create very accurate drawings that are to scale. The draftsmen are also able to make three-dimensional drawings, with the help of CADD, that can be incorporated into building information modeling (BIM) systems and product data management (PDM). These software programs make it easier for drafters and architects to work together and track changes made. BIM and PDM software programs facilitate speedier progress of the project since it has made simultaneous collaboration possible. Before the advent of these programs, architects and drafters could not work together at the same time since the drawings have to be made, and then any changes reflected again in a new illustration before any discussion or approval can be given. With CADD, BIM and PDM, however, changes can be made in real time.
In a nutshell, the difference between the responsibilities of an architect and a draftsman is that an architect can do almost all types of tasks involved in building, where as drafters are specialists who focus their attention on creating beautiful designs and clear, concise drafts for the builders to follow.

Does An Architect Take longer Than A Draftsman?

Well, yes. An architect may take several months for designing the process, discussing as well as clarifying all the details with the clients, analysing the site and determining its ambience, and revising a design until fully resolved, through consultation(s) with the clients and other relevant professionals. Where as a draftsman may take just a few weeks to produce a set of drawings for construction with little emphasis placed on the context and the sense of place.

Is An Architect More Costly?

An architect’s role is much broader and time taking than that of a draftsman. This extra work at the designing stage of course has an implication on the cost. However an Architect provides long term value for money.

An Architect Over A Draftsman Or Vice-Versa?

Ultimately the choice of whether to use an Architect or a Draftsman will depend on many factors and individual client’s priorities. If the client places a high value on aesthetics, usage of space, energy efficiency, a unique or artistic look, then it’s worthy enough to invest more resources at the design phase by hiring an architect.

On the contrary, if the client is happy with a slightly modified model of any previously done design or needs to use the services of a renovation or extension company, then a draftsman is more than capable of completing the task at hand.
Relation Between An Architect And A Draftsman:

Previously, an architect designed a structure from scratch and then passed off their rough sketches to a draftsman to refine into workable drawings for actual builders. Originally this was all done on paper. Hence, draftsmen had very little to do with design decisions back then. They simply used to translate the architect’s concept into a “how-to” sort of schematic diagram on paper.

Nowadays, CAD has made construction drawings faster to create, easier to modify, and simpler to reproduce. Draftsmen of modern era are now able to design simple buildings on their own by using the templates and software assisted engineering,
Over time, as draftsmen have become more savvy with the tools of their trade, it’s been common for the structures to be conceptualised and constructed from start to finish even without ever consulting a certified architect.

How Does Design Presentation Work?

DP has been a trusted service partner to our clients with our superior architectural drafting services, consistent and accurate drawings, timely delivery as well as competitive pricing. We offer the most reliable computer-aided design or CAD drafting expertise to work for a wide range of projects for your various structural projects of varied scale and volumes. This Architects vs Draftsmen debate doesn’t really impact us — we focus on CAD and serve both architects and draftsmen.

We convert all your architectural drawings hand sketches, complex paper drawings, hand scribbles and survey notes into a set of architectural plans using AutoCAD drawings. By digitizing your architectural plans, we help you to reduce your costs, optimize time, and increase profitability. We utilize a wide variety of architectural CAD software such as AutoCAD MicroStation, ArchiCAD, Revit Architecture, Bentley Architecture and Chief Architect to provide architectural drafting services. Our proficiency with software such as Photoshop, 3D Max – Walkthrough, 2D & 3D stand us in good stead. DP has achieved significant domain experience by successfully completing a wide variety of architectural drafting projects. These include architectural residential design, Commercial Design and Industrial Design for various design and construction firms.

We always treat each of our projects with utmost care. We carefully try to understand the clients’ requirement and plan accordingly. We ensure your standard and needs are met.

As a pioneer architectural drafting and detailing CAD services provider, we come with core industry experience, advanced technical know-how, and a global delivery model. Outsourcing architectural drafting and detailing from us allows our clients to concentrate on creativity and implementation as well as other revenue generating activities while we work as an extension of their in-house team.