Landscape Architect Articles

LASN April 2016 Technology: Tech Trends04-06-16 | Department

Tech Trends
By Ashley Steffens, Associate Professor, University of Georgia, College of Environment and Design, Athens

A larger list of applications was included in the original survey, but a quick snapshot of the most widely used applications is here. MS Office has a variety of valuable uses making it the most practical application for the work environment. In regards to drawings, AutoCAD still remains a leader in drafting with Civil 3D on the rise. Similar to the 2012 article, Photoshop almost equals AutoCAD in usage, with SketchUp in a close third place.

In 2011, I ran a survey of LASN subscribers about which software was being used in their offices, how it was being used, how much hand and computer graphics were used and what types of skills firms wanted to see in graduated student portfolios. In January 2012, I published those findings in LASN https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article.php/15969

More recently I came across a larger survey conducted in 2014 that paralleled my original intent to identify what was going on in the profession at a time of such technological graphic diversity. The survey conducted by Rodney Benton, a recent MLA graduate from Auburn University, and Danial Tal, author of SketchUp for Site Design, received 729 responses, representing a much larger and impressive professional demographic. This article summarizes those findings on hardware and software usage and skills as a way to identify graphic trends and technology use to better understand the needs and challenges of firms wanting to upgrade technology, and to assess the graphic needs of firms looking to hire.

The survey was sent out via surveymonkey to 3,880 ASLA registered offices. 729 offices replied. Over half of the offices, 55%, had between 2-49 employees. Sole proprietors made up 27% with the remaining offices having 50 or more employees.

Between 2005 and 2008, the profession saw many changes in project development graphics with the addition of Adobe products and SketchUp alongside AutoCAD. Interestingly enough, the statistical information has not changed that much since the survey from 2011. It seems as though the profession has reached a comfortable level of technology that satisfies professional needs while still maintaining some appreciation for hand graphic communication. I believe there are still areas that may develop further in the landscape architecture field, such as BIM technology, touch screen/stylus technology, and even more advanced animation.

The office demographics were surveyed to identify the professional composition. A vast majority of the surveyed firms, over 400 of the 729, employed only landscape architects. There were 225 multidisciplinary firms"?uthose with a mix of landscape architects, planners, architects and/or civil engineers. These firms have a wider variety of technology in their offices. The smaller remaining groups comprised LAs + planners, LAs + architects, and LAs + engineers.

As an educator who appreciates the process and look of both hand and computer graphics, I would even venture to say we might just see a small rebirth and have a better appreciation of hand graphics in our digital world. In a time where Macintosh products have impacted technological advances, 75% of firms still use PC based computer hardware, with another 15% using both PC and MAC computers.

Use of hand and computer graphics have oscillated over time. With each new application there is always some speculation that hand graphics will be replaced and become outdated or unused. Surveys like this allow hand graphic professionals a chance to breathe and value this timeless artistic form of communication. Surprisingly, over 600 firms stated they used hand graphics in the office, primarily for conceptual design and basic presentation of ideas. While computer applications have certainly taken a firm hold on project development products, there is still an appreciation and usefulness for quick sketching, design thinking and preliminary communication.

Part of this relates to the software typical to the landscape architecture industry and the historical significance of applications like AutoCAD, which only ran on PCs in the past. Anticipating an increase in MAC usage, AutoCAD wisely adopted a MAC-friendly version, but it is still short of the full PC capabilities.

As seen in LASN magazine, April 2016.