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Do Magazines Inspire You?


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Just wondering how many people here look at either traditional magazines or their counterparts on the internet for inspiration?

 

I've picked up some "Home and Garden" and "Kitchen and Bathroom" mags - nice, full A4 glossy colour photos of beautiful rooms with an interior decorator's touch. I've been known to peruse the website of Architectural Digest as well. I'd love to get a subscription and while the US price is $24, the Aussie price is $67. And I can look at the photos digitally (and organised and searchable) on their website.

 

Share your thoughts? And if you do, which mags do you look through?

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Yes, as a matter of fact they do. I love watching architectural magazines. My imagination just wanders off to lala land once I stare at those beautiful houses. I love to watch both the exterior and interior. I do this every now and then to get rid of my stress... For online resources, I like looking at architect online and architecture week.

 

I'll get back to you what magazines I have at home and the cost... :D

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Wow - positive feedback!

Yes, as a matter of fact they do. I love watching architectural magazines. My imagination just wanders off to lala land once I stare at those beautiful houses. I love to watch both the exterior and interior. I do this every now and then to get rid of my stress... For online resources, I like looking at architect online and architecture week.

I'll get back to you what magazines I have at home and the cost...

Yeah, I see some travel shows on t.v. (the nights that I'm not working on photos or trying to do something in 3DS) and I like to see how the style of the house/vacation home/bungalow blends in with the native environment. Around here (Australia), Fiji is a popular spot, as is Bali. And I know quite a few folks that holiday regularly to the Philippines!

There's a version of Architectural Digest for Italy, and it's interesting to see how the styles differ from Here to There.

 

I am addicted to architectural books and mags. Very helpful for rendering reference.

I find myself going into a couple of the bigger book shops in town every fortnight and checking out the Big Books on sale. I got some good commercial arch books a few months ago - $20 each! I went back last week and they regained their senses and they were back up to $69 and $99.

 

I always read 3D World, but I also have access to The Architects Journal and Building Design. BD is great, as it always showcases new designs and developments - so you get to see the 3D work from all the big practices.

I subscribe to 3DWorld magazine (well, I get my local newsagent to get it for me). $20 a month isn't bad - heck the Kitchen and Bathroom mags are $13-$15. Being a photographer, I tend to look to actual photos for inspiration, especially since my personal goal is to turn out as-near-as-I-can photorealistic renders.

 

Great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to share your stuff.

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Magazines like Monument (Aus) Architectural Review (UK + Aus editions) are ALOT better than generic grandma magazines like 'Home and Garden' for architectural photography of interesting spaces and buildings etc, Domus is good for more product based stuff like boutique kitchens / bars/ commercial fitouts.

 

I ahve stopped buying 3dworld as it has too much crap about Blender and other 2 bit software to make it worthwhile.

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I have a feeling a LOT of them are high-end renderings.

 

Nic: Yeah, I agree - yet some readers write in "why don't you have Blender files on your disc?" In my opinion, you can't please everyone all the time. Some people do turn out fantastic renders with Blender, but I'm looking for support/information for my particular 3D app. I haven't heard of Monument - I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

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I ahve stopped buying 3dworld as it has too much crap about Blender and other 2 bit software to make it worthwhile.

 

Why is Blender 2 bit? Because it's free? Have you seen Big Buck Bunny?!!? It's not architectural visualisation but it's the one thing that transcends it-Pixar standard.

I think too many people have been brainwashed into thinking that their bread and butter application has to cost as much as a small house in Sarajevo.

That's actually why I stopped buying 3DWorld-it was becoming a product placement inconvenience for Autodesk.

 

Back ot: I love Wallpaper* and it's imitators. The ideas are way out there but that's what you need to let you think a bit bigger.

It lets you see how stagnant the current default interior is with it's 'innovative' recessed ceiling lights and pride-of-place TV wall.

 

Also, check out the Ligne Roset downloadable catalogues and the Habitat website. More interior ideas in every section than you can shake a stick at.

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Of course people can create excellent work in Blender, it just seemed to be WAY overrepresented in 3dworld along with other programs like "Carrara" in regards to the user base, I felt like it was a sneaky advertising spot rather than a representation of what was generally used.

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Frame is an interesting magazine. Though it's mostly retail interiors, it can be inspirational in doing 3d work, for me i guess. My office used to subscribe, now I just browse in stores (ssshhh). Once in a while I buy 3d world, architectural record, d+a(singapore), blueprint(HK), depending on content. I dunno why but i find IDN(HK) inspirational, although its a graphic design/multimedia magazine.

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Icon (UK) is really good for reference images as well. Mix of furniture, architecture, some installation stuff.

 

Reading the june 08 one as i render now, (im putting on larger tests so i can read more)

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