Expert: Bob - 5/26/2008

Question
Hey bob, i recently find out that my interest in Interior Design. I have a good knowledge of photoshop,illustrator etc. I want to learn autocad in terms of interior design so that i could work in a interior design studio. Do you have any particular course for that? many thanks

Answer
Hi

My first thought was "Wow -- no country, age, level of training in Interior Design, etc.-- how do I answer this briefly?"

If you stop and think, all these softwares are merely tools. AutoCAD is a tool for drawing precisely, so that it can be built, not for making things pretty, like the other two you mention --- you have to understand something completely to draw it accurately. And you have to understand drafting to get the idea.

So, to learn how to be "the AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator person" in a Design office, you have to have schooling or knowledge in the field. (some people think Interior Design is simply having taste)

Then, you might realize that recent Design school graduates are often given the job of producing the drawings for the senior designers, while learning the business -- so they are your competition for employment.

If you want to be a designer, enroll in a good school. If you want to be the person handling the drawings, take vocational courses, to learn enough about the field, and how AutoCAD is used in it. You will need to check your area for schools --- I DO NOT recommend trying to learn online. Save online classes and outside books for supplementing the basic knowledge from school.

Beware of self-learning AutoCAD: for most people, it leads to bad habits.  Write back if this does tell you what you need.

BOB