Program Coordinator Joel Hall
Every manufactured product in our world requires some type of documentation for its production. The largest structures to the smallest machine components, including micro-miniature electronic circuitry, have drawings associated with them. This documentation is what the field of drafting is all about. Drawings that used to be produced on paper with manual instruments are now produced on computers with actual intelligence attached to the parts drawn. As our world becomes more complex, the need for design documentation will grow in every aspect of manufacturing and building construction.
At Lewis and Clark, students study drafting standards and techniques using the most current CAD software available for drawing production. The program is based on the fundamental theories of engineering graphics with advanced course work specializing in the different drafting occupations.
Today, a lot of the engineering and architectural design work is created in the “Virtual part or Model” environment. Lewis and Clark is keeping up with this trend by making both “Solid Modeling” and “Parametric Architectural Modeling” software an intriguing part of the program.
Besides keeping current with the most recent CAD software available, the Drafting and Design Program at Lewis and Clark is constantly updating the lab facilities so that upon graduation, the students have had experience with equipment of industry standards.
Program Learning Objectives
Prepare for entry into the work force as an entry-level drafting and design technician or CAD technician
Retrain current drafting and design technicians for specialty areas in drafting and design
Explore the field of drafting and design by taking courses for personal interest
Provide a background in the drafting area as a related subject to their vocational/technical field of study
Nature of Work: Drafters and designers prepare detailed drawings based on rough sketches, specifications, and calculations made by engineers, designers, architects, and project leaders. Also, they may be required to calculate the strength, quality, quantity and cost of materials. They assist engineers in testing and writing technical reports, estimates, and specifications. Drawings can range from simple two-dimensional details to advanced color renderings in photo realistic presentations.
Skills and Abilities: Those planning careers in drafting should be able to do freehand sketching, precise scale drawings utilizing CAD software, and “visualize” complicated objects in either pictorial form or flat views. They should be able to function as part of a team since they will work directly with customers, engineers or project leaders.
Note: Special AAS degree graduation requirement: Due to rapid revisions of CAD software, students must demonstrate their competence of program software by either earning a “C” or better in two 200 level drafting courses within 12 months of their graduation date or by documenting current work experience utilizing current versions of CAD software.