The WSU Trimble Technology Lab is excited to highlight the growing role of Trimble’s SketchUp in digital design courses across the School of Design & Construction. With its intuitive interface and robust capabilities, SketchUp has become a default modeling software for various disciplines, empowering students to bring their design visions to life.
For Spring 2025, SketchUp plays a pivotal role in courses such as LND ARCH 297 (Digital Design Communication), taught by Dan Cronan, and ID 297 (Design Communication II), taught by Vahid Vahdat. In these courses, students learn to use SketchUp as their primary 3D modeling tool to develop detailed, precise, and visually compelling designs.
In LND ARCH 297, students in Landscape Architecture explore how SketchUp facilitates spatial visualization, landscape modeling, and communication of complex design ideas. Part of the course objective, as emphasized in the syllabus is “Modelling Simulations,” for which, “Students use Sketchup to produce and revise 3D
models.”
Similarly, in ID 297, Interior Design students leverage SketchUp for creating 3D models that integrate design elements with precision and clarity, aligning with industry standards. Per course syllabus, students use Sketchup to “create detailed and accurate 3D models of complex interior spaces.”
The Trimble Technology Lab provides students with access to high-performance computers and the latest SketchUp software, ensuring they have the tools they need to excel in their coursework. As SketchUp continues to enhance the learning experience, it also prepares students for real-world applications in design and construction fields.