Computer Aided Design

Computer Aided Designer Career Overview

Today, everywhere you look, every building, park, home, stadium to name a few examples, was designed using computers before anything was built. Not many things are done by hand anymore, and the work of engineers and architects are no exception. Computer-aided design (CAD) is the technology used by engineers, architects and other design professionals in their design process. CAD professionals are specialized to help create blueprints and other designs on the computer.

While most computer-aided designers and drafters hold a Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college, it is equally qualifying to get a formal technical training. There are many programs that offer Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) Certification. Having knowledge the necessary technical programs is just as important as possessing the essential skill sets required, such as drawing skills, creativity, knowledge of engineering and mathematics, organizational skills and attention to detail.

You can go into a variety of fields with a computer aided design and drafting degree, within architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, and construction industries. Some examples include building engineering, roads, railroads, machinery and power systems.

While it is essential for a computer aided designer to have a lot of knowledge of CAD programs, you should keep in mind that they are only tools and that the more traditional skills that are required from the job, such as artistic skills, creativity, attention to detail, in addition to mechanical and math skills should not be overlooked.

Computer Aided Designer Training & Education

A lot of computer aided designers hold Bachelor’s degrees from 4-year universities in a related field like engineering. Students who study computer aided design while attending a 4-year institution graduate with widespread knowledge beyond the mechanics of CAD. However, computer aided design is also taught in 2-year Associates Degree programs that focus more specifically on the technical aspects of the discipline.

In addition, there are a lot of computer-aided design (CAD) certificate programsdesigned to provide the basic technical background necessary to produce mechanical drawings using both manual and computer-aided drafting techniques, for those wishing to train in the area.

Certificate programs are designed for those students who seek to enhance their job-related skills in a specialized area. These certificates are typically a portion of the courses in one of the associate degree programs. Certificate programs will take somewhat longer than one year to complete. Coursework included in a certificate program may ultimately be applied for associate degrees in the related program.

Computer Aided Designer Career & Salary Outlook

Most computer aided design (CAD) professionals start out making between $30,000 and $38,000 a year. However, there many different types of positions in this field, so salaries could vary greatly depending on education and experience.

Many different industries including construction, mapping, surveying, railroads, and all types of engineering have computer aided design positions. Employers want drafters who not only have good drafting skills but can also demonstrate they can deal with other departments, solve problems, train other staff and handle responsibility.

Career Fields/Specializations

Drafter Career

Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, and spacecraft to structures such as houses, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines.

• Most drafters now use computer aided design and drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Therefore it is essential to have CAD skills. However drafters would still need to have the knowledge of traditional drafting in order to be able to use CAD as a tool.
• It is important to have postsecondary school training in drafting, training that is offered by technical institutes, and some 4-year universities.
• Employers are most interested in applicants with well-developed drafting and mechanical drawing skills; knowledge of drafting standards, mathematics, science, and engineering technology; and a solid background in CADD techniques. In addition, communication and problem-solving skills are important.
• Drafters can work with architectural, engineering, and related services firms that design construction projects or do other engineering work on a contract basis for other industries.

Design Technician Career

Designers, whether it is a house, or a railroad, are the individuals who get to make the decisions. They come up with the creative ideas about shape, color, and texture. But it is the design technicians who take those ideas, produce the drawings and blueprints, and figure out how to make the designers ideas become reality. Design technicians focus on the technical questions.

• Design technicians spend some time on site, supervising the technical aspects of the construction.
• Since most designing now takes place with complicated designing software, Design Technicians must have knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) programs.
• Design technicians can work in architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Engineering Aid Career

Engineering Aids assist construction engineers in developing final construction plans. They conduct land surveys; prepare maps, sketches, drawings and blueprints; estimate costs; perform quality assurance tests on common construction materials such as soils, concrete and asphalt; and perform other engineering technician functions. In order to implement engineering designs, engineering aids must have knowledge of computer aided design computer aided design (CAD) programs that are used to create engineering plans.

Structural Drafter Career

Structural drafters support the work of civil engineers and architects by preparing and producing technical drawings used to build every type of civil engineering or architectural structure.

• Traditionally, this job involved hand drawing blueprints and designs, but with the increase in computer-aided design (CAD) systems, almost all design now takes place on computers. Therefore, drafters are required to constantly update their skills and knowledge in order to keep up with technological advancements in this quickly changing field.
• However, even though CAD is used by structural drafters extensively, it is still only a computer tool. Structural drafters still must possess design skills and have knowledge of drafting standards.
• Structural drafters may work independently, in teams with engineers, or as support forengineers, architects and industrial designers.
• Structural drafters are able to go into various engineering fields, such as civil engineering, urban and regional planning, industrial control and automation, process design, machine design, or communications technology. They work in both the public and private sectors.

Mechanical Detailer/Drafter Career

Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.

Most mechanical drafters begin as detail drafters making the drawings required for the manufacture of products and can advance to supervisory positions within the department or may advance to assistant engineer as they gain experience.

• Career fields include the engineering departments of companies that design and manufacture hard goods products of every description.
• In addition to the traditional detailer skill sets, it is important for a mechanical drafter to have knowledge of and be able to masterfully use computer aided drafter (CAD) software

Electrical Drafter Career

Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in communication centers, powerplants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings. In addition to the traditional drafting skill sets and traits, in today's job market it is important for an electrical drafter to have knowledge of and be able to masterfully use computer aided design (CAD) software.