Expert: Bob - 10/14/2011

Question
Hi Bob,
I am an interior designer who has graduated from NYIT in 1988. I have a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts major In terior Design. With the economy theway it is I ned to update my skills for the job market. All ads request AUTO CAD that I am applying to. I draw all elevations floor plans, lighting plans and perspectives by hand. What do you advise. I nee to  update quickly. Thank you, Jeanine

Answer
Jeanine --

Meant well, and meant to not "be nice at the expense of helping you"

To be blunt, we knew this was coming before the time you graduated, although your school might not have made you take AutoCAD (since it was fairly new when you started). I personally heard "AutoCAD, AutoCAD, AutoCAD" when I went back to school in 1997.

You can't learn it "quickly" and be good -- sorry. The kids who grew up with computers are our competition. If you really are facile in Windows, you can learn to use AutoCAD with 2 or 3 courses, but you will need to re-draw 2 or 3 of your projects to get the hang of it.

We all make mistakes -- certainly including me. You had your head in the sand for a good decade, now you must do the best you can. I would suggest you find clients for home decor to keep you eating while you work very hard at learning AutoCAD.

You may or may not be able to catch up to the kids and get a job at a firm -- but you already know this, and are sort of asking me to tell you what you don't want to tell yourself.  Hand drawing, other than for some purposes, is a dead issue, except for those near retirement age with a strong following.

Sorry -- but ask around, get help, be honest with yourself, and get going

BOB