Architectural designer
From Freepedia
An architectural designer is a registered architect or non-registered designer that is more involved in the design of a building as opposed to the construction documentations required to construct it. Few architects are truly designers as that status refers to individuals who often have good artistic skills, imagination and talent. Although most students of architecture are trained as designers very few actually become designers in the real world. Design in architecture, however, exists at every level, from the exterior, all the way to the toilet stalls. That means that that an architect generally is involved in the design of a building at a smaller level and in more detail than a true architectural designer, who often determines the look and feel of the building as whole in the schematic design phase.
Most firms in the United States only have one true architectural designer on staff that sets the "style" of the firm they work for. Large firms can have a group of designers, often divided into their own separate niche markets (education, healthcare, housing, etc.) Architectural designers don't have to necessarily be registered as drawings can be compiled around their concepts and ideas by registered architects and engineers. Some firms are more strict than others as to who can do the designing and who can't.
The architectural designer fits the "Hollywood stereotype" of the architect. In reality few obtain this position, and much later in their career if they do. Many architects don't care for the role of a designer and prefer to be more involved in the construction documentation, client interaction and construction administration of their buildings, seeing the original vision to its completion, which in many ways, is much more rewarding.
