Architectural Illustrator

Job Description:

Architectural illustrators create two- and three-dimensional designs of buildings (www.nysr.com). You'll use these design interpretations to show clients the interior and exterior of the building. This will allow them to visualize it and see what the completed building will look like and get a feel for the space.

Salary: median annual wage for architects was $80,180 in May 2021.

Occupational Outlook:

Employment of architects is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 9,100 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

To become an architectural illustrator, you should start by completing a bachelor's degree program in architectural design, interior design or design.

Rice University

Address: 6100 S MAIN ST HOUSTON, TX 77005

Website: https://www.rice.edu/

Information on the Major: https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/architecture/architecture/architecture-ba/

Murray State university

Address: 1375 Chestnut St, Murray, KY 42071

Website: https://www.murraystate.edu/admissions/index.aspx

Information on the Major: https://www.murraystate.edu/programs/cset/eng-engineeringphysics.aspx

University Of kentucky

Address: Lexington, KY 40506

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.engr.uky.edu/

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Analytical skills: Architects must understand the content of designs and the context in which they were created. For example, architects must understand the locations of mechanical systems and how those systems affect building operations.

Communication skills: Architects share their ideas, both in oral presentations and in writing, with clients, other architects, and workers who help prepare drawings. Many also give presentations to explain their ideas and designs.

Creativity: Architects design the overall look of houses, buildings, and other structures. They must ensure that the final product is both attractive and functional.

Organizational skills: Architects often manage contracts. Therefore, they must keep records related to the details of a project, including total cost, materials used, and progress.

Technical skills: Architects need to use CADD technology to create plans as part of building information modeling (BIM).

Visualization skills: Architects must be able to envision how the parts of a structure relate to each other. They also must be able to visualize how the overall building will look once completed.

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

SketchUp can be utilized to create architectural renderings.

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

High median salary ($49,000 as of May 2014)*
Only a bachelor's degree is required**
Both technical and creative strengths can be applied**
Complete projects independently**
Employers expect for you to have an architectural background**

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Low employment growth (one percent between 2012 and 2022)*
Employers want someone who has experience**
Many architectural illustrators are freelance***
May need business skills***
Work opportunities are mostly restricted to architectural firms***

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they meet with clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and engineers. They also visit construction sites to ensure that clients’ objectives are met and to review the progress of projects. Some architects work from home offices.

Career Researched By: Sophia Chen