Career Progression of Architects v/s Computational Designers

In this blog, we will compare the career trajectories of both architects and computational designers.

Career Progression Of An Architect

After 3-5 years (depending on the country) of architecture school, the graduates prepare to enter the workforce. After the mandatory 6 months of internship experience, architecture students follow the following career trajectories, starting with a Junior Architect.

Junior Architect

A junior architect or an architectural assistant supports the architect in design development. The main responsibilities are typically drafting, modelling, research and preparations for presentations and drawing submissions. 

Skills required:

• Good knowledge of Autocad, Sketchup and other 3D modelling software
• Proficient in architectural visualisation
• Good communication skills

Salary: INR 17,000/mo
Accumulated years of experience: 0-3

Architect

The architect helms an entire design project from conceptualisation to production. He/she will develop design ideas, generate diagrams and models, as well as all drawings. 

Skills required: 

• Proficiency in 3D modelling, drafting and rendering
• Excellent skills in Revit, Sketchup, Autocad, 3ds Max, Vray, Lumion or Enscape, Rhino, Grasshopper and Dynamo
• Knowledge of digital image editing with Adobe suite applications or equivalent
• BIM skills are a plus

Salary: INR 28,000-32,000/mo

Accumulated years of experience: 2-6

Project Architect

A project architect is a mid-senior role who supervises the project through the design and construction stages. Responsible for ensuring zoning and by-laws compliance, the project architect takes on the project coordination and management. He/she will also take charge of ensuring the overall design intent is incorporated in documentation.

Skills required:

• Experience in project coordination and delivery
• Specialised knowledge in various building typologies
• Proficiency in Revit, Rhino, Dynamo, Grasshopper and other 3D modelling and rendering software
• Project management skills

Salary: INR 55,000/mo

Accumulated years of experience: 5-8

Associate

The years of experience have made an associate an expert in all things design. In addition to overseeing the design process, they will also prepare detailed drawings as per requirements.

• Knowledge of construction systems and details
• Basic knowledge of engineering systems is a plus
• Ability to comprehend and interpret, building and zoning codes
• Proficiency in 3D modelling, rendering and project management software

Salary: INR 65,000/mo

Accumulated years of experience: 8-15

Principal Architect

The Principal Architect essentially manages the entire firm. He/she will focus on coordinating the entire project while also giving inputs for the design.

Skills required:
Expertise in architectural design, construction systems and all relevant software 
Management and leadership skills

Salary: INR 100,000/mo
Accumulated years of experience: 20+ or self-employed

Career Progression Of A Computational Designer

Computational Designer/ Parametric Designer/ Environmental Analyst

• Develop computational design processes, embodiments, pipelines, and tools to explore mediation across biomimetic, biointegrated, and biosynthetic systems
• Conception: Create prototypes, models, and pre-visualizations of computational design embodiments and methods to guide design processes and decision-making within the team
• Research: Conduct research to enable and support projects through computational design technologies. Research is integrated to specific projects or facilitates the development of computational design processes used across projects
• Implementation: Realise design concepts by using computational methods to design embodiments and, further, implement novel computational design processes that generate embodiments (e.g., 3D models, fabrication descriptions, machine interfaces, software, scripts)
• Visualisation: Develop 3D renderings and illustrations to inform and express research and design concepts to the team, clients, and the public

Salary: 40-50 K GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 1-2 years

CD / DT Specialist

After more than 3 years of experience in Computational Design in a professional setting, a person becomes a CD/ DT Specialist.

• Candidates with a particular interest in data-driven approaches to design.
• Working on a range of practice-wide initiatives including workflow development and data-driven strategy.
• Research and exploration into new technologies and innovations in the industry.
• The ability to clearly articulate advanced computational concepts in an easily understandable manner.
• Willingness to learn new softwares
• Attention to Detail
• Strong Communication Skills
• Fast Paced Working Style

Salary: 50-70 K GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 3 years

CD / DT Lead/ Senior Computational Designer

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the office CD manager and computational team
• Support architectural project teams in the use of computational tools and workflows, especially visual programming and complex modelling.
• Providing technical support and training directly to project team members
• Promoting the strategic application of computational design in both project and practice scenarios
• Research and exploration into new technologies and innovations in the industry.
• The ability to clearly articulate advanced computational concepts in an easily understandable manner
• Willingness to learn new softwares
• Attention to Detail
• Strong Communication Skills

Salary: 50-70 K GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 5+ years

CD / DT Manager

After more than 5-10 years of experience in Computational Design in a professional setting, a person becomes a CD/ DT Manager.

• Provide leadership to the studio DT team and promote the use of technology within the studio, including computation, BIM, XR and other emerging technologies.
• Have a primarily studio-focussed view, acting as an ambassador for Design Technology in the local studio
• Contribute to project discussions, exploring and developing opportunities for Design Technology
• Work with studio leadership to develop key DT strategies around the application of DfMA, sustainability, and data-driven approaches to projects
• Contribute Design Technology knowledge to bids to secure work
• Be relied upon to have extensive knowledge of your area(s) of expertise
• Actively contribute to local DT strategy
• Oversee and manage the work of the local DT team, in their role of supporting projects and training staff as well as contributing to non-project DT initiatives
• Actively contribute to global DT strategy
• Represent Design Technology externally through events, online presence, and presentations.

Salary: 70-100 K GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 5-10 years

Director of Technology / DT Studio-Regional Head

After more than 10-15 years of experience in Computational Design in a professional setting, a person becomes a Director of Technology/ DT Studio-Regional Head.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Applications architect who supervise individual parts of major IT projects and undertake technical duties  
• Solutions architect, who leads entire projects.
• Enterprise architect, IT technical architect who oversees an organisation’s IT strategy
• Cloud technical architect who works on cloud computing architecture
• Infrastructure architect undertaking projects related to hardware and infrastructure equipment. 
• Besides, there are roles like an associate technical architect, lead technical architect

Salary: 70-100 K GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 10-15 years

CTO

After more than 10-15 years of experience in Computational Design in a professional setting, a person goes on to become a Director of Technology/ DT Studio-Regional Head. Good managerial experience for this role is extremely desirable.

Roles and Responsibilities:

A CTO's technical skills require expertise in IT infrastructure, security, asset management, help desk support, and research and development.

Salary: 100K + GBP

Accumulated years of experience: 10-15 years

Evidently, CD professionals at every level earn better than the traditional architect roles. Many industry professionals are showing interest in Computational Design as it will allow them to stay in the architecture industry but with better pay.

How Can You Start Your Computational Design Career?

Want to know how to start your career in Computational Design? Get started by learning it. Check out: 8 Best Places to Learn Computational Design (2023)

The Master Computational Design Course for Real World Application from Novatr delivers an industry-relevant curriculum, prepared by experts from top AEC firms. The course focuses on practical application of Computational Design through industry workflows, allowing the learners to master it in just 8 months. The learners will also work on a RIBA-structured capstone project to practise their skills with the guidance of the mentors. 

Master Computational Design and enjoy better opportunities and remuneration in your career. For more information on Computational Design and its careers, check out some more blogs on our Resources.

Similar Blogs

5 Careers and Salaries for An Architect vs A BIM Expert: A Comparative Guide

8 Best Places to Learn Computational Design (2023)

Computational BIM Guide: The Next Paradigm Shift in The AEC industry (2023)