Starting Out - Career Path Help

[Want2B3D]

I have decided to pursue a career in archviz.

 

GOAL: My goal is to become a master and produce the type of work that is posted in the galleries on this site (awesome).

 

I have 11 years of autocad experience but it is not 3D or architecture-specific. I am familiar with architectural dwgs but I have been in no way formally trained.

 

Would it be beneficial to take couses in architectural drafting and design as a foundation before attempting to make it in the career in archviz?

 

Have most of the established contributors on this site gotten to where they are with a technical background or have they bypassed the technical and went right for the artistic?

 

This would effect the software I invest in to train myself and the decision on whether to enter the architectural drafting work environment on my way to my goal...do I learn architectural desktop, or go right for 3DS Max etc...

 

Any insight on this would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Want2B3D

Tampa, FL

[ihabkal]

you have come to the right website/forum for advice on this matter. I'm, sure someone here would have some advice for you.

[gipper51]

I'll throw in my $.02 based on my experience in the Architecture field (which isn't much

 

I would say most people who do arch viz for a living have some previous experience either as architects or drafters. Viz seems to be an evolution of the architect, as most didn't start doing just Viz but migrated toward that end of the field. The viz part of architecture is a tough area to break into for a lot of reasons, especially starting from scratch. I think some schooling in architecture and design would be essential as it's like any other field, the schooling can open doors and teaches you the essential basics. Knowing how buildings are put together is extremely important for correct modeling. Plus you will have to know how to read and interpret architect's drawings.

 

With no experience in architecture it might make finding a job difficult, as viz jobs are already far and few between in most states. It's not really a hot job market. If you plan to go freelancer the lack of credentials might make it tough to convince clients to use you, since most of your competition would have an architectural background.

 

Viz artists are a very small niche market. I think the way to go about getting into viz would be to get a job in architecture as a drafter and learn viz and graphics while working in the field. You may need a technical degree or something equivelant to break into architecture offices though. This will let you gain experience in architecture while also developing viz skills.

 

Viz is a great field, but to be a good artist you must fully understand your subject. Hope that helps some.

[ihabkal]

but the hiring situation is improving. 5 years ago, no positions. today, over 30 positions on this website, and another 30 on monster.com. Even RTKL is hiring.

it is booming right now. will it still be booming next year? the chinese and indian market is expanding too, which means I expect it to slow in the next 2 years while outsourcing booms.

one thing is sure it's hard to find GOOD artists. you get 30 repondants to an ad, and one of them is good. we are a lot and we compete, but the good ones are not much worldwide. and the best ones have their own business or freelance and make three times the income, which leaves less competition for those who want to work long hours of unpaid overtime for a giant firm.

On another note, I know people who quit, and I heard of two who killed themselves (suicide not a joke) because of the stress of the biz, and they were employed at large arch firms where I used to work. tons of work on their backs and no vacation time. Jeff talked about these matters in the last two issues of 3D world magazine. go get them and read there are many articles in the last few issues about these facets of starting out, money, business, stress, overtime (many times unpaid)...

[carlangas]

Hi Curtis,

 

I also have some 10 years of acad experience, actually I come from a mechanical engineering background, when I relocated here 2 yrs ago I coulnt get a job because there are no mechanical jobs here, so i thought i could get a job doing arch drafting. so I did and slowly learned about architecture and eventually started doing viz work in acad, later I bought a bunch of 3d studio books and learned to use it (sort of). well I just quit my regular job and are doing real well freelancing. my suggestion to you is, try to get an arch drafting job, there you will get a lot of valuable experience that you may not get in school, dont know if you can afford to earn what an entry level drafter makes, i think from 8-10 bucks an hour, but if you can do that and also try to go to a community college and take a few semesters of multimedia clases, they might teach 3d studio.

 

hope this is helpfull to you

[mbr]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree about needing architectural training. I've got 7 years of it (4 undergrad 3 grad), and not much is used on a daily basis. I had a few basic computer classes, but nothing I couldn't have learned gonig through tutorials.

 

The best way to learn in any field is study the best. Look around for the best out there (the current competition is a great resource) and study their work. Read all the forums, the comments, etc., etc. Buy some books on Max, but know that the web is a far better resource for the artistic side (and if you ahve patience gathering tutorials, great for taht too).

 

Some of the best I've seen out there have no architectural experience. You will need to learn to read CDs (construction drawings), and it does help to say if you have architectural background, but I've rarely been asked. Basically, it will always come down to whether it's a good image and your marketing.

 

I'd go right to 3D (Max) if I were you. I'd say Max only because it's everywhere. Personally, I think it's too expensive. Maybe look at Viz. But don't rule out Cinema4D, either - there are some great resources here for that, too, and it's much cheaper than Max.

 

Most of all, study, be patient, look for inspiration, and don't be afraid to post and ask questions.

 

Good luck.

[jophus14]

I have 3 years of 3DS Max experience, i'm also slightly knowledgable in AutoCAD, photoshop, combustion, flash & illustrator. I want to work in the architectural rendering field, but i have NO architecture experience, will this be a problem? I have an Associate of Arts degree and a certificate in Computer Animation as of now. Any advice for someone just starting to get into the field? Is the knowledge of AutoCad a must?

[Want2B3D]

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

 

I have a lot to think about. I sent my first resume out and got an offer from a company that does archviz. I would have to start by doing basic production cad details and work up to the renderings there. The only problem is that the most they would be able to pay me is 35K. I want to get my foot in the door but not that bad. We did have a good conversation though. She was familiar with your site here and said that for the type of work I see in your galleries, I could expect to make a salary in the 50K range. I couldn't believe my ears! Is that true or is that just that bad here in Florida?

 

Unless they were just a low-paying firm, it looks as if I'll have to train myself and try to get some freelance stuff working on my own. If that's the case I think I would jump right to 3DS Max.

[ihabkal]

many firms pay low salaries. the first job for me in the US was for 35K too. I ended up quitting in a year, got 42K at another company. stayed there for three years. some firms pay better but where and who?

[chuck]

i agree with MBR. i have learned more in 1 year of work than i did for my 4 yr degree. experience seems to be the best teacher in this field. i'm planning on becoming an architect, so i need it, but learned little while i was there.

 

i got hooked on MAX in school then taught myself. the depth that my univeristy taught MAX was sub par at best (i took 2 classes of it) , so when i spent the time learning out of class it really benifited at hiring time. you can learn so much more on your own.

 

i also think VIZ/MAX is a good platform to start, but that's what i've been using for the past 5 yrs or so. it's widely accepted and "easy" to use. VRAY is a must for me, it's faster than max for GI, and it's easier to use. i still use VRAY free at work.

 

our firm has about 80 people in it, architects and engineers, and it doesn't have enough projects to require an illustrator full time. i bounce around a lot between IDP credits and rendering. i'm not sure how large a firm would have to be to need someone fulltime.

 

chuck

[mbr]

Most large firms don't need full time illustrators. When I worked as an architect at a large firm (not 3D guy), they had one person in their LA office that was dedicated to it fulltime. He had the job. GREAT pay, and i mean really great (for fulltime), 3 workstations, etc., etc. But other offices from around the country would send him work when he was slow, so those offices didn't need it.

 

The firms I've talked to said that they need someone that can pick up some redlines when times are slow. Be careful about accepting that, as it will immediately lower your 'specialist' value (hence the 35k), not to mention be a head ache.

 

Learn what you can on your own. Really, some of the best are self taught. It's one field where you can learn it all without having any training.

 

I use Max and Final Render, but if I had to do it again I'd think about C4D, or even Softimage, simply because the prices are reasonable. Discreet/Autocad is really abusing their user base with the inflated prices (ok, in all fairness, you get a lot for $3k+, but we only use a small fraction of that - I can do without reactor, particles, or character studio, if I want them, let me buy them individually). Things to think about.

 

Oh, and I'd skip Mental Ray for yourself. Look into the alternatives. Programs will be more and more modular, so don't limit yourself to something that you couldn't buy more of (even with 7.5's licensure, it is still beyond the means of a mere mortal to purchase enough to net render - you coudl have another render farm for the prices of the licenses alone!!)

 

Final Render will be a standalone version for the next release, so you can use any 3D package.

[manta]

Here is some more inspiration for you...

 

 

http://www.vismasters.com/VM_Gallery.cfm?Professional=1

[Christopher Nichols]

many firms pay low salaries. the first job for me in the US was for 35K too. I ended up quitting in a year, got 42K at another company. stayed there for three years. some firms pay better but where and who?

 

WOW!!! I knew there was a reason I left architecture.... But then again, to do what I do I have to live in LA, and life costs more here, plus we just had another earthquake (5.3) about an hour ago. I guess life is a bunch of trade-offs.

 

Edit: downgraded to a 4.9

[William Alexander]

Would it be beneficial to take couses in architectural drafting and design as a foundation before attempting to make it in the career in archviz?

 

Curtis,

 

Anyone ever say your too old to be making a switch LOL Just kidding hehehhe I can say that . Your never too old or too young.

 

Answer your question...... did you do architectural drafting? If you did/have, you probably do not need to brush up on archy speak to communicate.

 

You should, however seriously think about, taking some art classes. There is more of that in ArchViz than the arch part, imho. You deal in light, texture, form, color, visual/graphic communication, much more than-modeling.....if you want to become 'masterful'.

 

Discalaimer: not to say that you wouldn't learn that in arch classes...it's just a faster way to understanding ArchViz, once again imho.

 

Cheers

WDA

[mskin]

practice practice practice....

 

I think landing a job in an architectural firm is essential to learn the basic concepts of design, or at least the process. It will give an understanding of what firms are looking for and you will get valuable experience drafting and designing. In the meantime, use the drawings you create at work to practice modeling. I believe autocad gives employers two seats for each liscense so that employees can have a copy at home (someone correct me if im wrong).

 

good luck

[John Dollus]

In Tampa, AutoCAD drafters are in high demand and are being offered $20/hr for drafting work with little experience so you should have no problem finding a higher salary. Most of the work is in transportation, though so you will be happy with your check but probably not very happy with your work. Like someone said - tradeoffs.

Getting into a 3d position with no 3d education or production experience is not going to merit a high paying offer.

While you will not be buying a beach house with your first 3d job, $50k/yr will get you a 2000 sq.ft. suburban home with a pool and a community golf course in Tampa so that isn't too shabby.

[skauty]

I'm also looking at getting my start in archviz, but have no architectural experience whatsoever. My background is in multimedia and design, and I worked at an animation house in Toronto for a while, so I know 3D fairly well (though not nearly as well as some of gallery artists on this forum). With practise, I hope to be able to produce some decent looking renders, but I don't know if a viz firm would consider me because I have no architetural background, and, if not, how to go about getting freelance jobs. This is all further down the line. First I need to develop a nice portfolio of practise pieces

[archmitoi]

helo all,

 

I'm new! this is all amazing! but i'm kinda lost, .. anyway if you could help me out here, i'm actually looking for a job in uk. I would appreciate if any of you guys could help me find the right job there. I'm an Architect for almost 9 years now.

 

thanks,

 

mitoi

[notamondayfan]

hey all.

i guess i was in a simular boat to some of you guys a few months ago. i have no actual architectural experience. im currently in my 3rd year at uni, doing virtual reality design, and i landed a placement in a leeds architects.

 

i had used max in uni a lot, and so was quite advanced before i joined, but my skills are constantly improving, along with my speed.

 

not knowing much about architecture and autocad hasnt really stopped me doing my job. all i use are plans from autocad, and sketches from the architects.

 

all i sugest is become fluent in a popular 3d program and photoshop, and develop your own portfolio.

 

good luck!!

[STRAT]

I'll throw in my $.02 based on my experience in the Architecture field (which isn't much

 

I would say most people who do arch viz for a living have some previous experience either as architects or drafters. Viz seems to be an evolution of the architect, as most didn't start doing just Viz but migrated toward that end of the field. The viz part of architecture is a tough area to break into for a lot of reasons, especially starting from scratch. I think some schooling in architecture and design would be essential as it's like any other field, the schooling can open doors and teaches you the essential basics. Knowing how buildings are put together is extremely important for correct modeling. Plus you will have to know how to read and interpret architect's drawings.

 

With no experience in architecture it might make finding a job difficult, as viz jobs are already far and few between in most states. It's not really a hot job market. If you plan to go freelancer the lack of credentials might make it tough to convince clients to use you, since most of your competition would have an architectural background.

 

Viz artists are a very small niche market. I think the way to go about getting into viz would be to get a job in architecture as a drafter and learn viz and graphics while working in the field. You may need a technical degree or something equivelant to break into architecture offices though. This will let you gain experience in architecture while also developing viz skills.

 

Viz is a great field, but to be a good artist you must fully understand your subject. Hope that helps some.

 

i fully second all that

[Jesse Hall]

I just got started doing arch vis by accident myself.

 

I have been using max for building games and am currently attending school for game development. On a dare to myself I recently speed modeled a suburban neighborhood for and dropped in some high speed lawnmowers. Now to go and normal map everything.

 

My best friends all ended up going into construction management and when they were looking for someone that could help show clients what a house would look like after the remodel I got my shot.

 

The work is slow at the moment but I ran into another friend that was looking for someone to do some interiors.

 

- Jesse