Self imposed work..

[sdds]

Hi 3Ders,

 

I am preparing to travel to London to visit Chelsea Harbor Design Center, attempting to network and sweet talk my way into landing freelance or permeant job contacts. The center does interior/exterior design, furniture, lighting etc. I will probably need copies of my CV along with maybe two 3D samples in an A4 format and a bunch of business cards.

 

Over the next few days I am setting myself with the task of creating one interior and one exterior render demonstrating good modeling, texturing & lighting. I think two renders is enough to show, better than lugging my A3 folio around all day...

 

I am making this thread to get feedback along the way and hopefully produce some interesting graphics. Am struggling on what to do for these renders, you know getting stated. I have come up with some needs to give myself some direction.

 

Outdoor Render:

 

1) Needs to be a building with garden, outdoor lights, water features etc, that means plants (where to get good 2d plants? I don't mean crappy freebees:D)

 

2) Needs to be a modern minimalist style building.

 

3) Needs to be a night/dusk scene to show off lighting, can get quite elaborate here.

 

Indoor Render:

 

1) Needs to be open plan modern style with a good attention to detail, means I have to make it look lived in.

 

2) Needs bold colours & textures to create good contrast.

 

3) Lighting will be mainly daylight, all interior lights will be off, I think a midday sun will do the trick.

 

4) Outdoors needs to be visible through the windows, so thats more plants and some outdoor modeling.

 

Having never really done any 3d to a deadline it will be interesting deciding on workflow. I am thinking do all basic concept modeling/colour schemes etc for both to start, then add details, then texture map, then work on lighting and rendering, then post work - done.

 

Not sure if adding trees in post or putting them on a face camera poly is the best way to go, same with sky/background.

 

Anyway, look forward to getting your advice everyone, this is going to be fun...and hard work, time to really push myself..

[creasia]

I am looking to magazines for inspiration on creating portfolio work. Architectural Digest and some interior design magazines have some amazing stuff.

 

Something that has helped me a lot lately has been searching the internet for architectural photography resources like the ones below...

 

http://www.photo.net/learn/architectural/interior

 

http://www.photolinks.com/resources.html?p_page=cg_display.html

 

Good Luck!

[sdds]

Great Links Creasia, I appreciate that...love the interiors, sort of thing I am looking for.

 

Started blocking out a basic building model today, just getting a feel for how it will look. Got to include gardens so need to model a basic layout for that next.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

2) Needs to be a modern minimalist style building.

 

Great Links Creasia, I appreciate that...love the interiors, sort of thing I am looking for.

 

Started blocking out a basic building model today, just getting a feel for how it will look. Got to include gardens so need to model a basic layout for that next.

 

....if you truly want a minimalist piece, i think you need to rework your rough out.

[sdds]

Ok maybe it wasn't minimalist. I have roughed out a composition that is a fountain in the for-ground, building and plants in the mid, tree in the background. Possibly the left side of the building could have large conservatory like windows to open it up a bit. The arch probably doesn't work, too traditional.

 

I was thinking of a mod sculpture in the fountain.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

i would add a couple of people either standing outside the door talking, or interacting with the fountain. more or less creating a story to go with the scene.

[Frosty]

When I did a similar exercise I opted to chose an architectural masterpiece - The Farnsworth House. Nothing beats modernism for true minimalism. To add extra challenge I did a winter scene.

 

I was very pleased with my results and still think it is one of best renders. Best of luck in your challenge.

[sdds]

Thanks Chaps, really enjoy the feedback, will choose a more spectacular building next time Frosty, but having fun with this one.

 

Travis where would you recommend buying good high res 2d people and plants, also do you place these in PS or your 3d app?

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Travis where would you recommend buying good high res 2d people and plants, also do you place these in PS or your 3d app?

 

...i haven't used them yet, but i am leaning towards axyz people as a possibility for our next asset purchase. combined with sawyers suggestion from a couple of days ago of photoshopping a persons face over the rendered face in post.

 

i am leaning towards the axyz people because they are 3d, and will interact with the GI solution for the scene.

[stylEmon]

i've added 2d people in mt 3d app and in PS. I think i like adding them in 3d better. The way i did it was, i made a texture with ALL the people I wanted to use, then made a plane in 3d. you can slide the uv's around to the different people on the texture. that way you dont have tons of material nodes for all the people you include.

 

I'd say that the best way is to have 3d people. unfortunetly, the good ones are $$. the 2d face on 3d people is a good idea. +1 for creativity.

[sdds]

Hi all, sorry haven't posted for a wile, here is my model detailed a bit.

[sdds]

Ok have been working on texturing today, not sure wether to put the trees etc in 3d or work them in post. Lighting work next..

[atom_up]

Looking good. Maybe the texture on the house could use a bit more bump. It looks really flat right now. Also the fountain in front, while it looks nice, seems a bit too modern in comparison to the house. They almost seem not to go well together. Good start though. Can't wait to see it finished.

[sdds]

Thanks atom, yep the water feature sort of happened, worth adjusting I think. Working on the lighting first though.

[Tommy L]

I think you need a clearer idea of where you are going with the image. If you start with a blank canvas and 'invent' a building I thik it will look very meesy stylistically. Either copy a building/photo or do lots of sketches first. If you look at the brief you set yourself, this image isnt it.

 

My main concerns would be the aspect ratio, camera angle and model. Remember, you have no client telling you what to do. You can be really inventive. Go for an unusual angle. A wide aspect view. Dawn? Dusk? Thats when the most beautiful natural lighting is.

Steer away from this traditional architectural style, you wanted minimalism right? It looks like you wanted to add detail, but didnt know how, so you made an arch and some heavy stonework. The detail will come naturally as you progress the image. The building can be SUPER simple. Get the composition right first, before you start adding reflection to the water and bump to the walls.

[alfienoakes]

I agree with Tommy here, you have moved away a bit from your original brief.. it most certainly isnt minimalist..

 

If you wanted to do something to impress prospective employers, then yes, taking inspiration from something that is already built maybe a good start. Something a little bit querky, or a really contemporary look would probably be the way forward.

 

You definitely need a "design" thou, with some clear objectives of what the building does.