Architecture Firms Skip Pen, Paper For... Pencil, Paper

Strangely written story by Aleshia Howein the Fort Worth Business Press. It's headlined, "Architecture firms skip pen, paper" and it ostensibly talks up BIM [building information modeling] but the bulk of the story denies the headline:

• "Malone said he often brings in new, young architects to his firm as interns and many are fascinated by his ability to draw. "I hear things like, 'How quaint, it’s a hand drawing,' or, 'Wow, you’'re really drawing'."
  
  
• "But the truth is if they can’t draw, I won’t hire them. No matter how many nifty colors they can use or how many computer skills they have."
• ...an architect... said he has had many experiences with clients that make him believe BIM is great, but hand drawing is a must.

I expected a puff piece on the "majik" of today's modern software for forward-thinking architects ["It's a complicated, time-consuming process to get set up..."], but found repeated promotions for hand sketching. Fire the headline writer!

"It’s creating an ideal world and if you don’t take the time to [and] draw it, and it only exists in a computer, then how can it ever evolve?"

Comments

[Robin Capper]

I think this is more a critism of the current user interface/interaction with BIM applications than the concept.

Digital concept design is fine when the interface and detail doesn't intrude on the thought process.

I reckon tablet & touch UX will go a long way towards overcoming this when the applications embrace them.