Artist Safeguards Job Security by Learning SOLIDWORKS

Ask ten different designers for their favorite SOLIDWORKS feature and you’re likely to receive ten different answers. However, one very important feature, which happens to be a favorite of mine, will rarely make those top-ten lists. To me, SOLIDWORKS’ best feature is that the software equips people with valuable employment skills. Learning to design with SOLIDWORKS provides countless opportunities to create cool stuff, but most importantly, it opens the door to future career opportunities. This was the case for artist and designer George Argiris.

For 12 years, Argiris created 2D illustrations for an automotive repair manual company. Like many affected by the Great Recession, Argiris lost his job to a round of layoffs. “After the layoff, I decided that I’d better update to 3D,” Argiris said. “So I went to the local college to get some 3D CAD under my belt, but everyone said you’ve got to learn SOLIDWORKS; it blows other programs out of the water.”

constitution2 — Argiris’ USS Constitution Model

His peers were not the only parties interested in SOLIDWORKS. During his job search, Argiris noticed that eight out of ten companies in his hometown of San Diego were looking for designers with SOLIDWORKS experience. With more than 2 million SOLIDWORKS customers worldwide, being educated in the software can be a helpful skill in any designer’s resume. “Learning this program, out of all of them out there, was the best thing I did for myself and my family,” Argiris stated.

Once his training was complete, Argiris landed a position with BMT Scientific Marine Services. The company provides integrity and structural monitoring, performance prediction and verification for all types of marine and offshore floating platforms that must operate both above and below the waterline.

“All of my design work is done in SOLIDWORKS, so I’ve got it open all day long,” Argiris said. His work at the company mostly involves adding a “wow”factor to design models, which is where his experience as a fine artist comes in handy. Argiris takes his designs to the next level for clients by adding his photographic abilities into SOLIDWORKS models. The result: awesome renderings that lead to happy customers.

In addition to his professional marine design work, SOLIDWORKS has rekindled a passion project that started in 1999: designing models of the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Argiris decided to model the warship again by combining his newfound 3D modeling skills with his artistic background. “SOLIDWORKS has made it fun. I find more than one way to build parts and discover new ways by trying,” Argiris said.

Argiris' USS Constitution Model — Argiris’ USS Constitution Model

Of course, it’s not always possible to please everyone. According to Argiris, one difficult client happens to be his wife. “Sometimes she’s not a SOLIDWORKS fan because I’m on it late into night creating, but she’s of course thrilled for it helping our family to get back on track.”

For aspiring designers out there, Argiris offers this advice, “If there’s anyone out there who gets scared of these complicated programs, young or old, just give it a try. SOLIDWORKS goes a great job of making it easy.”