The roles of hand drawing and computer assisted drawing in landscape architecture professional practice

This thesis evaluates the roles of hand drawing and computer assisted drawing in the practice of landscape architecture through a survey of landscape architecture firms in North Texas. It takes into considerations factors such as gender, age, position, experience with computer drawing, type of firm, number of years in practice, education level and income level shows the impact of these factors on the feedback of landscape architects regarding the importance of hand drawing and computer assisted drawing in professional practice. This research also shows the roles of hand drawing and computer assisted drawing in the design process and the effect of the computer on design. The data obtained from the survey indicated that certain factors such as age, position, experience with computer drawing, education level, number of years in practice and income level do have an impact on the importance of hand drawing and computer drawing in the daily activities of landscape architects.; The data obtained from the survey also indicated that while the use of the computer has taken the place of many types of hand drawing and drafting, the use of hand drawing remains an important part of professional practice particularly in the area of conceptual drawing and design and the production of perspective drawings and presentation drawings. Computer drawing has emerged to be of importance in the production of working drawings, construction documents and details. It is also being used, along with hand drawing, for presentation drawings. A final open-ended question presents information on how the computer has affected the way landscape architects design.; The results of this research show that there are certain drawing tasks that remain more adequately handled by traditional hand-drawing methods and certain tasks that lend themselves to the technology offered by the computer. This research should enable educators to better prepare students with the appropriate drawing skills necessary for professional practice.