Sawyer Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Does anyone know if you (or me or any of us) can use the word Architect in any congugation anywhere on our websites? As far as I knew it can only be used for licensed architects (in callifornia it is a $250,000 fine) but does this apply for us as well or only people providing services simular to an atchitects? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dollus Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 This applies to all of us in the U.S. for certain. I am not sure about elsewhere. Correction, it is only a problem if you are using the term to describe yourself or what you offer. For instance, if you say that you work with an architect to produce something, that is okay as it refers to a third party. If you call yourself an 'architect of cyberspace' or something equally as rediculous, the term is being misused. However, a 'virtual architect' is by definition not an actual architect so that would be okay. To be on the safe side, substitue the term 'designer' in place of 'architect'. [ April 17, 2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: John Dollus ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 17, 2003 Author Share Posted April 17, 2003 But can I say I offer Architectural renderings/illustrations/? I have mentioned this before on this forum but my father is a designer, he has never refered to himself as an architect but was told he could not refer to himself as offering architectral sevices. The state licensing departmet said that he could not use any form of the word architect. Now I understand what he did is a lot closer to what an "actual" architect does but the arhcitect firm I am working with now said they thought it would be a no no. But obviously this is not as wide spread an issue as there is not much talk of it here in the group. [ April 17, 2003, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: Sawyer ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Here in Canada, you can not use the word architect in anything no matter how it is used unless you are an Architect. (A least that's what I was told) Even though I am an architectural technologist by trade I could not start a company that was called Architectural Technologists Inc for example. In theory I could get into hot water for even running under the name CGarchitect, but I'd love to see them try to come after me. From what I heard they send you a cease and desist letter then if you do not comply they file suit. Kinda BS in my opinion, unless you were actually billing yourself as an architect and were not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 17, 2003 Author Share Posted April 17, 2003 Thanks Jeff. That is kind of what I was thinking. I will not use the A word on my site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dollus Posted April 18, 2003 Share Posted April 18, 2003 In the US, you can say you provide 'architectural renderings/illustrations'. In that case, the term 'architectural' is clearly a descriptive modifier and not a noun thus you are free and clear. You can contact the ASAI (American Society of Architectural Illustrators) at asai.org if you need corporate leverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 18, 2003 Author Share Posted April 18, 2003 Yeah you know the arhcitect who told me that I would be fined $250,000 must have gotten mixed up. I imagine a 1/4 mil figure is more for someone possing as an architect. Big difference. I would be refering to a service not a title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kid Posted April 18, 2003 Share Posted April 18, 2003 How does an organisation come to own a word in the dictionary? I might start my own organisation and I'll own the word human. Then only people who have registered with me can call themselves humans, and I'll fine those who aren't registered with me. In Australia there's only one time you can use Architect in your title without being a registered Architect, and that's if you hold a Bachelor/Master of Architecture but haven't gone through the registration procedure, in this curcumstance you are allowed to call yourself a "Graduate Architect" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 18, 2003 Author Share Posted April 18, 2003 I don't know kid it's all really dumb stuff. I was working on my web page and it is yellowish/orange kind of like your avatar and the designer who is helping me tells me that the color I am using is simular to one that a French Champagne company has copyrights over. How do you copyright a color? I guess if the color is used in product branding you may never want another beverage maker to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwright Posted April 18, 2003 Share Posted April 18, 2003 no, you cant use it. Only if you get your CA lic. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted April 19, 2003 Share Posted April 19, 2003 well it's black and white (in the UK anyway) - if you're fully quallified and registered then ur an architect, anything else then you definately are not! legally it doesn't bother me as i work for a big firm who tout all my work for me. but if i'm talking to my drinking buddys or like giving my personal details to credit card companies or store cards then i'll say i'm an architect, all they want is occupational details, and trying to explain i'm an architectural illustrator/artist to them is a pain in the ass as they haven't a clue what i'm waffeling on about. If i'm self employed and passing myself off as an architect, or putting works into planning passing myself off as an architect then thats illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunstraum.tv Posted April 19, 2003 Share Posted April 19, 2003 in germany when you have your diploma you are NO real architect. you can work as one but you can´t sign any plans f.e. after two years and when you can prove that you have worked for several projects you can call yourself "architect" and work for your own. but i never heard that you can´t use the word "architecture" for anything else (renderings, photos, etc). for me it sounds very strange to forbid to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 19, 2003 Share Posted April 19, 2003 It seems this is confusing to many The reason the word "Architect" is protected is because it's a profession. As such, architects maintain an ethical code very similar to doctors and engineers. In fact I am only aware of four official professions - Lawyers, Doctors, Architects, and Engineers. All of these groups protect thier term and it usually governed by national, provincial or state law (in Canada its prvincial). These groups of people and they're titles are protected because of the social obligations they carry. Allowing untrained, non-professional people to use the same title lessens the credentials of the fully qualified. At least this is what I learned in my legal and ethical courses As a person presently completing a Master's of Architecture, I am glad my title will be protected. Unfortunately, I think these professional terms have already lost much of their weight due to inappropriate use and misunderstanding. How often do you see "software architect" or "software engineer"? All the time - and many other variations as well. These common mis-uses, confuse people. I do not however, see a problem with any of us calling ourselves architectural illustrators. As was stated previuosly, in this case it is a description of our work and not a title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 19, 2003 Author Share Posted April 19, 2003 Architect? No. But can I use the term "Architectural Graphics" or "Architectural Renderings"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted April 19, 2003 Author Share Posted April 19, 2003 Originally posted by Frosty: I do not however, see a problem with any of us calling ourselves architectural illustrators. As was stated previuosly, in this case it is a description of our work and not a title. Yeah, I have no desire to call myself an architect. I really don't. I actually want to get away from drafting altogether (hence the renderings) I just want to make sure that the adjective will not be something that ends up costing me my job. I had thought this through and thought I was in the clear until one of the architects I work with saw that I placed the term "architectural renderings" on my web page. He claimed that was a $250,000 fine. It seemed like he was and is incorrect in this but I wanted to make sure. I have an e-mail into the asai to see what they think. (thank you John Dollus for the link) Regardless I think it is an interesting topic and thank you all for your info. But please I want to make it clear that I don't want to call myself an architect. I am kind of embarrased that it seems I wasn't clear enough in my original post. I am sorry if I was unclear. I know it is a long path to become an architect & I respect those who go that route. I want to do the pretty pictures and really that is all. p.s. John, why Texas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwright Posted April 19, 2003 Share Posted April 19, 2003 you can use anything with "Architectural Something" but not Architect by it self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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