Real World Exercises

I recently received a Drafting Certificate from a local college and
although I am excited about it, I really have no hands on, real world
experience. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions where I can
find some good exercises on the web. I am pursuing a degree in
residential/commercial architecture.

Anything would help!

Thanks

 

When I finished enough of the acad manual (I'm self-taught)
I was in the same situation. I chose to do drawings of a small bathroom
renovation I was designing at the time. Why don't you do something like
that?
Pick something around you, or design something and then draw that.

 

I normally get our trainees to survey and draw their homes.

They photograph the elevations so that I can see how good their
draughtsmanship on these is.

I then get them to work up sections, in this way they need to start
thinking about materials and how the property was constructed.

i.e. solid walls (victorian properties) cavity walls with no
insulation, cavity walls with brick and block, later with insulation,
timber frame etc. etc.

HTH

Alan (Cadalot)

 

That's exactly what I had in mind.

 

See, the problem that I have is I have a lot of questions regarding the
"correct" way to do things on a plan. These questions range from
dimensioning to a simple window detail. Is there a set standard on how
things are done, or do architects/drafters differ on these things?

 

They differ I'm afraid. IMHO, the thing to keep in mind
is legibility. At different scales, different amounts and types
of information are appropriate.

There is a more or less consistent body of drawing conventions,
which has developed over the years, but it is not a straightjacket.
Look at drawings. Find ones you find clear, logical, and beautiful. Study
what it is that makes them so for you. Emulate those features.

Find ones you think confused, stupid, and ugly. Study what makes them
so, and then avoid doing that.

As you go from shop to shop, you will find that you will be told to do it
one way or the other. That's life. When someone hires you to set up
their shop, or when you run your own place you can do what you want.

 

You will find some guidance on my how to draw page on my web site
There is a document called "How to draw" which actually does what
Michael is suggesting.

http://www.cadalot.co.uk/how_to_draw/how_to_draw.htm

The documents comments on the confusing, stupid and ugly and suggests
the clear logical and beautiful.

In 1974 I spent 3 months writing everything and anything at different
sizes, and different slopes and different styles under the tutorship
of an old draughtsman, until we found my writing style and hand.

Speed printing was not in it..........

Alan

 

Thank you very much everyone. I didn't realize how much of a response
I would get. I'll be using this group A LOT!

Thanks again!