Reply To: Small Office (Solo Practitioner) Network Setup

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Jason…….of course, I  understand that “computer software” is just a new-age version of the drawing board & hand drawings. 

I KNEW I’d push some people’s “hot buttons” with my comments.

LA’s should use the drawing tools & support programs that work for them…..I use a computer for research, writing proposals, communicating with clients…..scan documents.  But, I choose to (and am perfectly comfortable with “hand drawings” and have been for over 36 years).  And Jason, with all due respect to you…I do have over 22 yrs. on you & feel my Portfolio stands up VERY well to your’s…and your Portfolio appears to be 99% computerized. Every color rendering or sketch in my Portfolio is 100% “hand drawn” and every photo of every project was designed “by hand”…and interestingly enough…..they all got built just fine.

I don’t have a problem with the METHOD that any LA uses to produce color renderings, sketches or even Contract Documents……but, they STILL should be “very professionally produced”.  Not just great design, but outstanding graphics….and line weights for Contract Documents are important to ensure those documents “communicate”.  I’ll put my “hand drawn” Contract Documents up against any LA’s “autoCAD” drawings.  I’ve been drawing architectural drawings since I was 12 yrs. old…I understand “line weights” and how to make them “read” well.  An awful lot of the autoCAD contract documents I’ve seen produced….just don’t have appropriate “line weights”…they don’t “read all that well”.

I realize the “vast majority” of LA’s utilize “computer software” for 95% of their LA work these days…..but, that doesn’t mean that the work is “outstanding”….it just means they know how to use “computer software”…..because, the truth is, many LAs really can’t “draw very well by hand”….period.

No, I’m not ridiculing any LA for using “computer software”…..but, if they’re going to use it…..LEARN HOW to use it well….and that goes for ALL types of “computer software”.

Respectfully,

Bob