Job Summary:
Preparation of building drawings including structural features. Prepare drawings for commercial as well as residential buildings. Prepare the plan, elevation, structural design giving clearly the material used viz., masonry, woodwork, steel, ratio of reinforced concrete mixture etc., plinth and foundation details and list the bill of materials. Also show in the layout a general idea of electrical wiring, number of points and how the ground wiring scheme is to be concealed. Clearly show the wastewater expulsion paths and sewerage system paths. Prepare all and sundry information blocks, specifications, finish marks, general notes legends etc; so that the layout is complete with the required information.

Not long ago, draftsmen used to rely on drawing boards, T-squares, pencils, pens, triangles, protractors, compasses, calculators etc. Nowadays they are trained to use Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD).

In the CADD system you can design any complicated part. You don?t use an eraser to erase anything, which is not correct as was done previously. You can do it by deleting the wrong portion by using the mouse and can see this happening in the monitor. You can store all the completed as well as jobs under progress in the computer and can recall any of these at will for further working. Revisions become possible with relative ease. Duplications become easy.

Generally, a blue print should indicate the size, format, exact location, bill of material, drawing number, scale, drawn by whom, checked by whom and an indication of direction.

Qualification:
Minimum post-secondary school. Draftsman training of 2 years duration. Draftsman diploma of 4 years after passing secondary school is quite good. There are early, middle and advance levels. Specialization in architecture is a must.

Salary Range:
Ranges from $24,000 per annum to $60,000 per annum.

Prospects:
The employment opportunities for architectural draftsmen are plenty. There is a good scope for a good architectural draftsman. They work in almost luxurious environment. Of all drafting jobs, architectural ones come up to about 30% of total demand.