CG Firms in Michigan

[scubasteve02]

I can't seem to find anything I would love to work at a visualization firm in michigan, but one problem there doesn't seem to be any. Also the firms that do that stuff hire one person and the stuff doesn't even look that good. I even looked out of the state and could not get anything. I am a college student at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and I need to work a co-op this summer and I am pretty handy with 3d viz and cad, but I have worked a small amount with 3dmax. This is definitly my passion I don't really want to do anything else I have kept my options open long enough. I would suggestions please, but do not suggest freelance because it will not count as my co-op.

[Chad Warner]

Quick google search came up with this:

 

http://michigan.uscity.net/Architects/Architectural_Illustrators/

 

Don't know if it helps, but worth a look.

[ihabkal]

Also the firms that do that stuff hire one person and the stuff doesn't even look that good.QUOTE]

 

that's becasue most of the managment people in architectural firms in the US lack the vision to implement new technologies and wow their clients. They care more about self advancement and spend their life trying to get promoted instead of working to inprove the business itself. my previous employer hired me 6 months after I applied when his guy left him, and I ended up making him five times the money in 2004 than what his previous artist made in 2001 the quality of my renderings tripled the number of clients, yet when I applied he thought for a long time and did not hire me until his artist left him. now hes all alone again, instead of hiring someone to help me when I was suffocating with too much work. He's in Toledo, if you want to apply there if you can drive for two hours everyday let me know so that I can get you his info.

You're in for a long journey. If you want to get hired in one of these firms not only you have to be really good, but most importantly you need to find an employer who has a good business vision and who knows your value for the business.

I remember 5 years ago I tried to work for the biggest players in the field like NBBJ, HOK, RTKL, HNTB, and dozens more I applied to and got negative replies. Today I have worked for them through other firms, or as a freelancer, and my employer charged them sometimes on one project as much as they would have paid me for a whole year's salary. Some of them go into advertising they have 3D capabilities, and they put my or other's artwork as an example on their websites without permission...it's a weird world out there...WHen I was a new graduate I got extremely depressed. today after I have done hundreds of renderings i know it is not me, I'm not a bad renderer. it was bad managment from their part...no future vision. they're afraid to take a chance, or they don't care they want to keep things as they are for them. if it's not broken, why fix it? why replace it with the new faster model? why take a chance on you or me? keep things regular and safe...