The fact that you are reading this article tells me you are interested in learning to be a drafter. I don’t blame you. When I was young I used to get in trouble all the time because I was drawing pictures. Not that I didn’t pay attention in school because my grades were never really below average.
In Jr. High School, I was even sent to the principles office because I was caught drawing in English class. Actually, it was the second time I had been sent there for this offence. This time my dad was called and the principle told dear ole dad all the sorted details. I spent some time on restriction for this one not to mention dad busting my backside for me.
About a month or so after the principles office incident, I was sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by my home work and as you’ve probably guessed, I was drawing instead of doing the homework. Dad came into the kitchen and caught me. With a frown, he looked at me with his sternest look and said: “Son, if you don’t start paying attention to your school work, you’ll never make anything of yourself in this world. Honest boy, I don’t believe anybody is going to pay you to draw pretty pictures!”
Dad was my friend as well as a strong role model, but that didn’t stop me from drawing. By high school, I had already taught myself to use a drafting board and one of my favorite stops on my way home from school was a local architect’s office. I had managed to land a job there sweeping the floor and emptying the trash in exchange for learning what could be learned from them.
From my youth up until today, I’m still learning new things about drafting. A little over half of my drafting and design education was as an apprentice. The remainder from vocational school and some college courses.
After I had finally opened a drafting service some years later and had hired other drafters to work with me, Dad came for a visit. He lived out of town and I was proud as I could be to show him around the office. He met those working for me, asked quite a few questions, and then we went into my office where we had some pending plans sitting on my table for review. I was very pleased to take the time and explain everything he was looking at to him. He seemed impressed. I could tell because he was wearing a grin from ear to ear about his son’s accomplishments. He then said “You’ve done well boy!” That was worth millions to me!
While dad was wearing that ear to ear grin, I couldn’t resist making a comment and said: “By the way dad, they are paying me to draw pretty pictures.” With the same smile, dad looked me directly in the eye and said: “Shut up boy!” It’s amazing that he remembered the incident. I still smile over that one. Miss you dad… Rest well in the Lord sir. I sure miss him.
The author, Timothy Davis, is an accomplished designer and draftsman with over thirty years plus experience. He has also developed several drafting courses that are available to you online at http://cad101.8m.com. These drafting courses are very in-depth, complete, and are available at a fraction of the cost of similar courses. Please stop by and visit. You’ll be glad you did.
