Job Description of an Architectural Drafter

Architectural drafters draw the plans for a building so it can be constructed.

An architectural drafter is one of the most important people who work on the early stages of a building or structure. Architectural drafters know everything about a particular building long before the first brick is laid and work closely with an architect to make sure the building comes together to be everything they envision.

Drawing

Architectural drafters draw scaled detailed drawings of a building that are used by those completing its construction. Drafters work alongside an architect and use the architect's notes to ensure that the drawings the drafter creates accurately reflect what the architect had in mind for the final project.

Paying Attention to Scale

Architectural drafters draw the exact drafts that are used by construction workers to build a structure. Drafters have to pay careful attention to the scale of their drawing and the measurements that they specify for each part of the structure to ensure that it will look and function the way it is supposed to.

Proofing Drawings

Architectural drafters will often be asked to proof drawings that have been created by another junior drafter or architect. In that instance drafters will carefully look over the drawings, as well as the notes from others working on the project, and make corrections as needed to make sure that the final drawing is done correctly.

Using Tools

While quite a few architectural drawings are now done on computers, an architectural drafter has to also be comfortable using tools to make and correct drawings by hand. Architectural drafters might use tools such as scale rulers, protractors, lettering guides, compasses, triangles and lettering guies on a handwritten project or correction.

Making Adjustments

Architectural drafters may sometimes be asked to make adjustments to the plans for a structure once construction has already begun. If a construction crew runs into problems with the plans as they were originally created an architectural drafter may make adjustments to the original plans to compensate for the problem and return the plans to the construction crew so construction can begin again.

References

• Pay Scale: Architectural Drafters Job Description
• Career Planner: Job Description Architectural Drafter