Design drawings
Prepared by the design team, they show layout, dimensions, materials, finishes and appearance. They communicate intent and form the basis for permits, tender and contractor pricing.
Shop drawings
Prepared by the fabricator or contractor after award, they show construction methods, joints, hardware, material thicknesses, fixings and installation. They translate design intent into production information.
Why the review step matters
Shop drawings should be reviewed against the design before fabrication starts. This is where finishes, dimensions, edge details and interfaces with lighting, power and adjacent work are confirmed—or corrected.
How better design drawings help
When design drawings already answer what an item is made from, how it is finished and how it is powered, shop drawings come back faster and closer to the intent. Vague design drawings push decisions onto the fabricator and invite assumptions.
Design and fabrication, connected
Tony Spagnolo brings design and fabrication experience to both sides of this conversation, helping clients and contractors develop clear design drawings and review shop drawings before production.