Plans might start on a cocktail napkin. A floor plan can be a basic diagram illustrating the layout of the rooms, rather than being drawn to scale. An architect could start with conceptual sketches on tracing paper, which is sometimes jokingly referred to as "bumwad." The floor layout becomes increasingly detailed as the "scheme" unfolds. Working with an architect on a project has a significant advantage in terms of design skills. Architects now offer their ideas using computerized floor plans. Floor plans, however, were frequently featured in "pattern books" and developer's catalogs long before home computers in order to better market the given real estate.
