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how to describe what we do in one or two words


Chad Warner
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I am making some business cards for myself, and I am having a hard time coming up with one or two word descriptors of what we (computer architectural renderers) do.

 

Does anyone have examples of what is on their business cards?

 

Normally, when people ask me what I do, I say architectural rendering or illustration, and then they reply with a blank look. I would prefer not to have the same problem with the business card.

 

Thanks,

 

Chad

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Honestly I don't think it matters what you put on your business card, becuase unless someone needs your services they are not going to have a clue what you do anyway. ;) My wife regularily tries to explain what I do to friends and familiy, but they all exhibit that same blank stare. ;) When they ask, "so what is that" I just say I do the pictures that architects use to pitch designs and real-estate devlopers use to sell buildings. I know it way over simplistic, but I have yet to figure out a way to explain it any better to non-technical, non-architecural, non-graphic laymen. ;)

 

My normal response to "what do you?" do is "I own an online magazine and am the North American creative director for a UK based design communication firm." Sounds much more impressive that is really is...trust me. LOL.

 

The titles we've come up with the places I worked were usually visualization artist, but I know many others use architecural illustrator too.

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Does anyone have examples of what is on their business cards?
I don't have business cards.

 

You are an architectural illustator. If someone does not know what that is then they do not have a professional interest in architectural illustration and therefore its just for conversation and you can say whatever you want. If you have cards to help generate BUSINESS then the person getting the card should know what you do without having to have it explained to them.

 

Renderers are people that remove waste fats from meat...right? Yes, actually. I once had the pleasure of standing next to this nasty, grease-dripping old truck on a New York sidewalk and glancing at the cab door and seeing painted on it 'something "rendering" company'. That's me, I thought, a renderer.

 

Another thing...the time is long past that you need the word 'computer' in a description of what you do. Maybe you want to hint at it in your company name, like I do, but I had to escape an entrenched reputation for traditional media, but not in your 'job description'.

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Since english is not my main language i'm curious to know the difference between illustration, rendering and visualization. I know i could use all three for my work, but where is the small difference between those three ?

 

ingo

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Since english is not my main language i'm curious to know the difference between illustration, rendering and visualization. I know i could use all three for my work, but where is the small difference between those three ?
That was going to be my next question, is there a preference for one of the three?

 

Originally, I used "visualization," but I think that is a little too broad. I like the sound of "architectural rendering" better than "architectural illustration," but as Ernest said, a renderer is someone who melts fat.

 

I guess until someone comes up with a new and improved word, I am going to use architectural illustrator (and still be greeted by blank stares).

 

-Chad

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Personally I like the word "illustrator" better. In my mindd it is more artisitcally discriptive & I used to work in the same neighborhood as a fat renderer and the smell was memerable. And I think if you take away the architectural from the title & just introduce yourself as an illustrator people can get there with you. Someone says to me that they are an illustrator & I want to see what they do, a visualizer could be a new age profit, a renderer could make glue.

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