Career guidence with Archicad

[Anonymous]

Just discovered the archicad world thanks to an evening class and although I feel hopelessly out of my depth within the jargon that propels this forum I'm hoping that someone out there will take pity on me and reply to a couple of my questions.

I'm using version 8.0, and am hoping that this little package will give me the encouragement I need and some idea of the direction i must to take to have a career within the design industry. When i tell you I'm not sure whether its in a interior design / garden landscaping or building environment direction you'll understand that i really am just crawling around in the dark hoping to latch onto something...

What id like to know is, in your opinion if i develop an interest for Archicad, where can i take it from here...what experience would i need to actually become employable within this area? especially seeing as I'm unsure of what route to take? Any advice from those that have carved out careers would be welcome. And, are there any websites that offer beginners online tutorials in archicad8.0? Haven't found many.

Sorry for using this forum as a career guidance session, but am just interested in design and obviously impressed with the 3-d auto rendering capabilities of Archicad just am a little direction-less.

Thanks for your time.

I will continue to read this forum hoping to pick up tips and bits n pieces.

David.

[Anonymous]

David,

ArchiCAD is a program specifically designed to assist in the practice of architecture. It also has applications in other aspects of building design and engineering, urban planning, interiors, landscaping, etc.

The program by itself is only useful if you have a need for it. The tone of your post suggests that you are not (yet?) a design professional. This is probably a prerequisite to really get much out of the program.

If you are thinking about getting into the field, it is very rewarding and endlessly interesting, but VERY much work and no so remunerative as medicine or law. In short, you have to love the work, but for the right people it is easy to love and the hard work is worth it.

[Anonymous]

First tip would be to upgrade to Archicad 8.1, it is a free upgrade for 8.0 users and comes with many bug fixes and few extra features.

Try the step by step tutorials that come with the manuals, they follow you through a typical house model, and is a good place to start. They can also be found online by going to the help pull down menu, but you will be directed to this site http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/links/step_by_step_interactive/

HTH