Chapter 13 Visual Communication: Drawings, Renderings, and Models 431 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. ■ Architectural scale. This is a 12-inch triangular plastic ruler with standard measurements on every side. There are eleven scales in total. Each scale indicates a relationship to one foot. For example, 1/4" = 1'-0" indicates that 1/4 inch on the scale equates to one foot on a floor plan. Architectural scales are also available in metric for designs created for clients outside the U.S. When using the scale, take great care to record accurate dimensions. What looks like a small measurement on a scale translates to feet and yards on a site. Avoid using this for a straightedge as it damages the ruler and does not give you a very good line. ■ Straightedge. Previously, the primary straight edge for manual drafting was the T-square. Today, a straightedge can be a metal or plastic yardstick, a triangle, or even a piece of hard cardboard. Designers use them to create casual guidelines or precise hand-generated drawings. ■ Miscellaneous tools. Drafting tape or precut drafting dots, erasers and eraser shield, pencil sharpener, templates, sketch pad, compass, protractor, adjustable triangle, flexible or French curves, and drafting brushes are additional tools you might need. You may also need a good light source. ■ Portfolio case. At least large enough to hold a 24- x 36-inch project, paper or canvas portfolios protect your manually-generated drawings during travel. Designers use digital portfolios and disposable portfolio samples the vast majority of the time. Choosing Digital Technology Tools Many disciplines, including interior design, rely on digi- tal tools in today’s competitive market. For designers, these tools speed up the process of creating a construc- tion document, 3D animation, or design sketch. In addi- tion, designers use computer-technology tools for any drawing or design document that needs a revision—and clients often request revisions. The challenge in using digital tools is the need to remain current with software and hardware updates. For those born in a digital world, this is a relatively easy task. For those professionals who have been away from design- or document-generating software for a number of years, it is difficult to rationalize time to remain current instead of generating new business. Therefore, many architecture and design firms count on emerging design profession- als—you—to know the newest and most recent software and hardware. Hardware Technology driven hardware is powerful, transportable, and intuitive to use. Many colleges require students to bring personal laptops. Digital tablets, however, are common in design studios, too, Figure 13-4. Often students use both for different purposes. Digital tablets offer students and design professionals access to ever-evolving applications (apps), easy access to design inspiration sources, and e-mail connection to team members and clients—rapidly increasing the speed jannoon028/Shutterstock.com Figure 13-4 Interior designers use a variety of technology hardware in creating effective client designs. What are the pros and cons of using a digital tablet versus a laptop? vovan/Shutterstock.com