Generally an architect is a person who designs and drafts building plans.

Job roles in the field of Architecture can vary from designing building concepts, designing decorative architectural features, drafting plans using another person’s concept, all the way to architectural engineering where an architectural engineer will check that a building’s design can sustain its integrity in the intended location.

An architect, in the sense of someone who designs and drafts building plans may also be called a draftsperson. It is this person who will develop a plan for a building normally by using a computer program called CAD (Computer Aided Design).

A draftsperson will and liaise with the client to discuss their ideas. They will then try to meet their aesthetic goals whilst considering the practical limitations of engineering, site geography restrictions, environmental conditions and building materials to produce the final building concept.

During the construction of a building, the architect will often continue to play a role by overseeing the architectural process ensuring that design specifications are met properly or drafting changes should they be required.

Architect - Starting point:
The starting point in becoming an architect is often a job role called, “Junior Draftsperson.” For this role you would usually have to have obtained a professional degree in architecture from an accredited design school or university.

For someone interested in becoming an architect, it is often helpful to have a interest in fields such as: Building & Construction, Landscape Design, Industrial Design and Modern Architecture.

Architect Related Education:
Check out the directory for design schools to locate those that have architecture degrees,

Alternatively, to get a job in an architectural field without a degree you would need to have an excellent knowledge of computer drafting programs such as AutoCAD. You may want to consider doing an AutoCad Training Course at a design school specifically to learn this design software program; AutoCAD and other forms of computer aided design may open other doors for you should you later choose to pursue a different design related career.