[EricH]

I would consider that CAD is essential to all teams. However, I do not necessarily consider Computer Aided Design essential to all teams.




CAD may also be Cardboard Aided Design, Crayon Aided Design, or Coffee Aided Design. I suggest avoiding the latter late at night, though--you need your sleep, and nobody really knows if it works.


What I'm getting at is that you don't have to use the computer to make your designs. You will want to do scale models or drawing of some form, and CAD can make those much easier. But, as others have noted, CAD is merely a tool. Witness: this thread.

Personally, I'm partial to using good ol' pencil and paper on occasion, at least for concept drawings. And I have been known to use Microsoft Publisher (and/or PowerPoint and/or Paint) as a CAD program. No joke.