As in any profession, the right tool can determine the difference between success and failure. Firms must choose their tools carefully and then must ensure the people who use the tools are properly trained. For a firm to choose the right tool, it must first look internally at its design needs. Some firms look for strong 2-D design capabilities while others focus on conceptualizing and visualizing designs in 3-D.

For example, Frank Gehry, one of the most recognizable names in architecture of our time, uses a CAD program that is typically used to design airplanes. Most architects would not dream of using such a program because of the high training costs involved, but this is his software of choice because it is best able to meet his specific design needs. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a clear example that technology does not diminish creativity, but instead it brings creativity to life. The right tool for the right designer makes all the difference.

One problem that leads people to argue that Technology Diminishes Design is that many are simply using the wrong tool. They are trying to perform high-level design with CAD programs that were engineered to mimic manual production drafting. And for many reasons they are unwilling to embrace new design technologies.

Another problem is training. Even if a firm chooses the program that best meets its design needs, if the designers are unskilled at using the program, it is just as disastrous as choosing the wrong program. Not knowing how to properly use technology not only leads to a feeling of constraint, but can also lead to many mistakes, which in turn lead to frustration. This frustration stifles the creative process or "flow." CAD requires a certain degree of understanding on the part of the user.

However, with the proper understanding, the right tool can help the designers explore possibilities that they may not have originally considered. Even more importantly, new conceptual design programs and advances in 3-D technology give designers better ways of communicating their design intent.

The right technology offers some clear benefits when a design is put into a real-world context, complete with time pressures and budgetary constraints. Unlike sketching on a napkin, the right technology can recycle the information and move it upstream to the design development and production/detailing phases. It can also better handle changes, allow for better collaboration, and ultimately increase productivity and profitability.

While creativity will always reside in the mind of the architect or designer, the right technology can help him better develop and present his ideas, as well as help with the nitty gritty details of making them a reality.

Robert Anderson, VP of Integrated Products Nemetschek North America

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