lordmidas

Hi,

3D is now a very common way of presentation for architectural work and 3D software are easier to learn than before. Architectural firm are doing there 3d work inhouse more an more as architect learn 3d software in school.

My question is:

Are you still doing business with architectural firm ?
If not, were do you get your client from ... ? (government, construction firm, etc ...)
If yes, Is it that they are not doing it inhouse or that you offer something else ? (animation, VR, etc ...)

Were i live, all the architect do there 3D inhouse. So, our clients come from other sectors. It's a little strange because when we started our business, we thought architect would use are services. Maybe it's are marketing strategie that doesnt work ... that's why i want to know your opinion.

Thanks

Vince Paske

A similiar situation:

We don't use any outside CG Illustrator, but we do use an Illustrator, who has a contract with us, to do water color renderings, and hand sketches.

My primary role where I work is an in-house 3D architectural illustrator. There are many interns and designers here that know 3D and use it as a design tool. A few years ago many people thought my role would be "phased out" simply because so many people were having success creating images with AccuRender, which is incredibly easy to learn. However, the quality and time it took to generate images made it obvious that there's a difference between a full-time 3D Illustartor and one who dabbles. There's only so many hats an intern or designer can wear without loosing their marbles.
I also felt the urgency to get better and learn the more advanced tools in 3dMax, essentially to be known as a leader by reputation and by helping interns with their work. I now do a lot of animations and help the IT Dept. with any sort of graphics issue. I've started training people in Photoshop and want to start 3D training for the interns/designers.
The stand alone illustration firms have to raise their level because of this to compete with the in-house people such as me. I think a lot of firms are, simply becasue I'm constantly humbled by what I see some of those people/ firms are doing. I also think it has to do with long term relationships many of those companies have had with their CG illustrator, it's a trust thing.
I think many offices are just settling for what can be done in-house, although they know a stand alone CG Illustrator can produce better work. A lot of this has to do with heads of these companies having corporate values that allow their employees the opportunity to get better, and promote continuing education. Some of this also has to do the clients expectations and saving money.
I would have to disagree that software is getting easier to learn. 3D Software generally has piled on more and more features over the years and has become more complex. The biggest complaint I get when someonce moves from AccuRender to Viz or Max is "too many buttons!" But that's where the power comes from...

STRAT

in the UK most sizable firms of architects do all 3d in-house. we certainly do. we only farm out to watercolour perspective artists.

small 1 man band private architects still employ 3d guys on a freelance bases, but i personally wouldnt want to go freelance in my part of town. if i were to be made unemployed tomorrow my only ports of call for jobs searching would be to be an in-house 3d man for a bigger firm of architects.

kainoa

Strat, I'm curious about your reasons. Would you please share them? Thanks.

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STRAT

literally because there's more work/money getting a constant supply of work through in-house jobs than for searching out freelance stuff. as i say, specially where i live and work.

i freelanced years ago here, and jobs were pretty tight then.

eagle

in a more populated big city, maybe freelance is a better choice. especially take the tax issue into concern.

Enischuo

I happened onto an article recently that spoke of the industry--or those capable of producing quality illistrations--as a growing need in many differing fields. Not just the architectural side, but for product designers, manufacturers, developers, and even retail.

lordmidas

Enischuo

Where did you get that article ? It would be very interesting to read ...
Is it on the web ? Or can you scan it as pdf ?

Thanks.

Jim Mann

Not necessarily so. A lot of my clients are big practices with in-house capabilities but these particular companies find that external 3D guys are able to offer more in terms of quality and content beyond what they can produce themselves.

I also find that smaller architectural practices are not ideal as clients because their budgets are very tight.

Jim

Dibbers

Jim, I agree with you. Pretty much all architects have and use 3D inhouse these days, but few have the time and resourses to produce top quality visuals for marketing. I'm often asked to take their work 'to the next level'. They probably wouldn't bother outsourcing the work on the smaller, low key jobs...but we don't want those anyway!


Just to put a balance onto what Strat has said, I have freelanced in Architectural CG for the last 5 years, and in that time I have probably had 3 -4 weeks without any work al all. I know, as long as I'm busy, I can earn much more than If I was an employee. Mind you, I also know that if I was still using traditional techniques, I would be out of work!

Strat.

Don't forget, you're all a bit weird in Wales, so things are probably different their. :-)

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