As people of the modern era, we spend our time in office buildings, residential buildings, and various other constructions. We take them for granted, and rarely do we ask ourselves: "how were they built?", "what is a design architect?", etc. Without an architect's diligent work on every construction project, we may not have the comfort level we are enjoying right now.
Buildings are an essential part of our lives. They offer shelter and social possibilities, and they serve specific purposes for whatever activity you have in mind. Whether you are looking for architectural designers or want to become one, this article should help teach you the basics.
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An architectural designer is responsible for the specific design of construction projects. They use their knowledge and skills to ensure that the design looks good and is functional.
An architectural designer will ensure that the design process is smooth and efficient, and they will collaborate with clients to meet all requirements.
Architectural designers also collaborate with architects as project managers, covering all the grounds of a project, keeping up with trends, and calculating cost estimates.
As a result, unlike the average landscape architect, they don't only deal with the visual part of the job, but also with the technical part. They use apps such as Bonsai to calculate estimates and create a budget, ensuring that all construction costs are reasonable.
It's important to remember that regular and design architects are not one and the same. An architect is a registered architect who must pass the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE). Without it, they can't provide their architecture services.
Since architectural designers focus solely on design development and functionality, they don't necessarily have to get a degree in architecture and pass the ARE. They'll only need some sort of education to prove their knowledge.
An architectural designer different than an interior designer. A design architect is often in charge of more complex projects, which is why they require specific skills. Here is what you'll need to hone if you are interested in architectural design.
Someone working with architectural design must have specific design skills. This includes both interior design and exterior building design. Landscape architecture also needs to be factored into the aesthetics to ensure the functionality and integrity of the design project.
As an architectural design professional, math knowledge is also essential. You must be able to calculate the strengths and weaknesses of the materials, the safety of the schematic design, as well as the budget and estimates.
Banking platforms like Bonsai Cash can help with the latter, but you still need some background knowledge. Discover more about the best online bank for architects.
Architectural design professionals will use computers daily, which is why you should also ensure that you know how to use one. You must know how to use specific programs for your design projects and communication methods such as emails and more.
You may have to use computer-aided design (CAD) software such as AutoCAD and financial apps like Bonsai to ensure that the project requirements are met.
Design architects and construction managers must stick to a specific budget if they want the project to be anywhere near successful.
This means that the price of creating the building must be feasible and approachable to those with an average salary. When working with architectural design projects, you should adequately understand costs and labor in the commercial market.
The job of someone working in architectural design is to bring an image - a concept - back to life. They must be able to talk to people about the services related to their projects, which means their communication skills should also be great.
Aside from the clients, they must also collaborate with other architects and specialists, ensuring that the structural design is top-notch.
Even if you are not necessarily a licensed architect with an ARE, you should still know your area's building code.
These codes outline the minimum safety measures of a particular building, and every architect needs to comply with them. Your architectural design plan will likely pass through the hands of other licensed professionals, so the construction project will be safer and faster by respecting the codes from the very beginning.
Getting involved with architectural design is not complicated if you are passionate about this domain. Here is what you need to do to become a design architect:
As we mentioned, you needn't necessarily be an architect with an ARE from the American Institute. However, you must get the necessary education and the licenses to perform. You can take the courses of your choice to gain that knowledge.
As a design architect, you need a few tools to help you out. You can use apps, for instance, for your drawings and ideas, but you will also need budgeting apps to calculate the costs and invoicing software to send out billing requests. The Bonsai Freelancer Suite can give you a start on that.
Now that everything is in order, all left for you is to gain more experience and start getting jobs. You can do this as a freelancer, or you can opt for an internship at an architecture company.
Architectural design is complex and fascinating, but it is also essential for our livelihood. We need a design architect for our buildings to be secure and functional.
If you want to create or renovate a building, you should start looking for good architectural designers. They will consider all the details of the area, seamlessly utilizing the space. This will ensure efficiency, purpose, and a sense of style.
A verbal contract (formally called an oral contract) refers to an agreement between two parties that's made —you guessed it— verbally.
Formal contracts, like those between an employee and an employer, are typically written down. However, some professional transactions take place based on verbally agreed terms.
Freelancers are a good example of this. Often, freelancers will take on projects having agreed on the terms and payment via the phone, or an email. Unfortunately, sometimes clients don't pull through on their agreements, and hardworking freelancers can find themselves out of pocket and wondering whether a legal battle is worth all the hassle.
The main differences between written and oral contracts are that the former is signed and documented, whereas the latter is solely attributed to verbal communication.
Verbal contracts are a bit of a gray area for most people unfamiliar with contract law —which is most of us, right?— due to the fact that there's no physical evidence to support the claims made by the implemented parties.
For any contract (written or verbal) to be binding, there are four major elements which need to be in place. The crucial elements of a contract are as follows:
Therefore, an oral agreement has legal validity if all of these elements are present. However, verbal contracts can be difficult to enforce in a court of law. In the next section, we take a look at how oral agreements hold up in court.
Most business professionals are wary of entering into contracts orally because they can difficult to enforce in the face of the law.
If an oral contract is brought in front of a court of law, there is increased risk of one party (or both!) lying about the initial terms of the agreement. This is problematic for the court, as there's no unbiased way to conclude the case; often, this will result in the case being disregarded. Moreover, it can be difficult to outline contract defects if it's not in writing.
That being said, there are plenty of situations where enforceable contracts do not need to be written or spoken, they're simply implied. For instance, when you buy milk from a store, you give something in exchange for something else and enter into an implied contract, in this case - money is exchanged for goods.
There are some types of contracts which must be in writing.
The Statute of Frauds is a legal statute which states that certain kinds of contracts must be executed in writing and signed by the parties involved. The Statute of Frauds has been adopted in almost all U.S states, and requires a written contract for the following purposes:
Typically, a court of law won't enforce an oral agreement in any of these circumstances under the statute. Instead, a written document is required to make the contract enforceable.
Contract law is generally doesn't favor contracts agreed upon verbally. A verbal agreement is difficult to prove, and can be used by those intent on committing fraud. For that reason, it's always best to put any agreements in writing and ensure all parties have fully understood and consented to signing.
Verbal agreements can be proven with actions in the absence of physical documentation. Any oral promise to provide the sale of goods or perform a service that you agreed to counts as a valid contract. So, when facing a court of law, what evidence can you provide to enforce a verbal agreement?
Unfortunately, without solid proof, it may be difficult to convince a court of the legality of an oral contract. Without witnesses to testify to the oral agreement taking place or other forms of evidence, oral contracts won't stand up in court. Instead, it becomes a matter of "he-said-she-said" - which legal professionals definitely don't have time for!
If you were to enter into a verbal contract, it's recommended to follow up with an email or a letter confirming the offer, the terms of the agreement , and payment conditions. The more you can document the elements of a contract, the better your chances of legally enforcing a oral contract.
Another option is to make a recording of the conversation where the agreement is verbalized. This can be used to support your claims in the absence of a written agreement. However, it's always best to gain the permission of the other involved parties before hitting record.
Fundamentally, most verbal agreements are legally valid as long as they meet all the requirements for a contract. However, if you were to go to court over one party not fulfilling the terms of the contract, proving that the interaction took place can be extremely taxing.
So, ultimately, the question is: written or verbal agreements?
Any good lawyer, contract law firm, or legal professional would advise you to make sure you formalize any professional agreement with a written agreement. Written contracts provide a secure testament to the conditions that were agreed and signed by the two parties involved. If it comes to it, a physical contract is much easier to eviden in legal circumstances.
Freelancers, in particular, should be aware of the extra security that digital contracts may provide. Many people choose to stick to executing contracts verbally because they're not sure how to write a contract, or they think writing out the contract terms is too complicated or requires expensive legal advice. However, this is no longer the case.
Today, we have a world of resources available at our fingertips. The internet is a treasure trove of invaluable information, platforms, and software that simplifies our lives. Creating, signing, and sending contracts has never been easier. What's more, you don't have to rely on a hiring a lawyer to explain all that legal jargon anymore.
There are plenty of tools available online for freelancers to use for guidance when drafting digital contracts. Tools like Bonsai provide a range of customizable, vetted contract templates for all kinds of freelance professionals. No matter what industry you're operating in, Bonsai has a professional template to offer.
A written contract makes the agreement much easier to prove the terms of the agreement in case something were to go awry. The two parties involved can rest assured that they're legal rights are protected, and the terms of the contract are sufficiently documented. Plus, it provides both parties with peace of mind to focus on the tasks at hand.
Bonsai's product suite for freelancers allows users to make contracts from scratch, or using professional templates, and sign them using an online signature maker.
With Bonsai, you can streamline and automate all of the boring back-office tasks that come with being a freelancer. From creating proposals that clients can't say no to, to sealing the deal with a professional contract - Bonsai will revolutionize the way you do business as a freelancer.
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