"The odd thing is that as children, we knew how to make things while using our imagination. How on earth did we begin to forget?"

-- Jonathan Glancey

Whatever happened to craft?

Jonathan Glancey is absolutely right. I can't agree with him more. Gone are the days when architects were the craftmaster. We are in fact living in an epoch where computers have taken hold of the architectural process as the default means of producing architecture. Things are slowing down and the global economic outlook isn't going to get any better in the next 12 months. Could this be the best time to take up a crafting class? Perhaps, we should as a means to sharpen our designing skill. Our hand can never be replaced by any tools. As Richard Sundberg boldly puts it, " the need to express by hand will continue to flourish."

 Read Jonathan Glancey's "Whatever happened to craft?". Also read "Joseph G. Brin: Portrait of an artist".

"It is a big mistake, and sad, that students are coming out of school, and they can do wonderful technical computer renderings, but they can't just pick up a pencil and sketch an idea." -- Martin Beck, CEO of Big Red Rooster. Source

"While computer renderings are superior at communicating design detail, comprehensive design overviews and multiple-format applications, hand-drawn renderings communicate the emotional richness and intent of the concept." -- Michael Bills, CEO of RPA. Source

"The ability to pull out a pen, grab a cocktail napkin, and sketch up a concept that can save a client two weeks off a construction schedule is a skill that remains timeless." -- Peter Carrato, Civil Engineer. Source