current economy....

[d-rockZ]

I hope to generate some good responses with this post, because I feel it has affected us all. I am currently working with a commercial archticture firm that is going through some tough times because of the current credit crises. No money loans to developers means no new projects. So as a 3D visualization/graphic designer what can I do to generate more business?

 

Essentially our firm is very traditional. I think there is ways to go outside the box and generate money. For instance... establishing a separate division where we focus of graphic design and marketing for leasing companies, Or doing interactive websites, etc. etc.

 

My question is what are other architecture firms doing? Specifically... how can graphic professionals find ways of generating new business.

 

Looking forward towards your responses. Cheers! ~Derek

[adricorrea]

I live in England and work as a Design Visualiser, my company just made me redundant, but fortunately I do some private job as a visualiser as well, not enough to keep me busy full time, but it is something.

 

I have been thinking in doing something like web design, marketing, etc, but to be honest I also think that industry is suffering as well, so if anyone have more ideas, they are more than welcome:o

[EddieLeon]

Derek,

 

Are you in a 3d department in an arch firm? If so, generating new business might be tricky for you since you can't really market to other firms. Also, you might not have an adequate marketing budget for the current economic climate. Nowadays you really need to be able to travel and meet clients one-on-one.

 

Anyways, here are some of my simple thoughts on how we should react to the economy.

 

When times are tough some business' consider offering new services. This seems like a sensible option. However, some business consultants advise that you stick to your core-competence. New services might require a lot of time and investment and the results might not be what you expect.

 

I suggest that you strengthen your relationships with your existing clients and find ways to give them higher value. This does not necessarily mean that you should lower your prices. But, it could mean that you do more for them, such as, schematic design assistance, schematic renderings (lower price point), marketing assistance (web, graphics), etc. I'm not sure what the ideal value proposition is. Each client's needs are different.

 

Another bit of advice is to focus your sales and marketing on local clients. National or international clients are great to have now. But, the competition can be fierce and your success rate might be a lot lower. Clients still put a premium on being local and accessible, so you might have a competitive advantage in your city.

 

Good luck and hang in there!

[mskin]

property management. this seams like a missed opportunity for some architectural firms. organization, documentation... seams like a division that could easily be generated. just talking out loud......

[d-rockZ]

Eddie thanks for your responses... It seems as though you have experience through the ebb-and-flow of past economies. I have some other past threads relating to our economy, and it does seem that there is some fear and anxiety about the future of our industry. I know that my business is feeling the pressure, but I am hopeful that there are things that can be done to weather the times. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stonger!"

 

So I hope that this thread can offer some positive thoughts and solutions.

 

With that being said... I have had some time to present my company with some new ideas. A lot of it will require some R&D... But with little to no business what else do I have to do (post all day on this forum)? We are a small enough firm where I can openly talk to our Presidents and VP's. My company has a very traditional means of services, but they are willing to be persuaded with the right approach. Here are some ideas that I will be presenting --

 

1.) create a seperate division for graphics/marketing. This goes beyond schematic design. We would not only broaden the way we do graphics for internal architecture projects, but offer our services independently as a graphics/marketing firm would. This could include website design, print media, logo and brand identity, etc. This all could go outside to businesses/individuals outside the archtictural world.

 

I guess you could ask the question - Why could I just do this on my own. Well, because my company has the money and resources to make this happen. They also have 25 years worth of client connections.

 

2.) Expand the scope of our current services. Our go-to market is commercial retail centers. But that market has slowed down, if not stopped all together. So are company is going to more Govermental type work.... and that is not going as well either. But my first job was in exhibit design and interior retail design. And from I know there isn't much difference in the two. All of the developers we work with have booths, and desperately need an update. Its one more thing we can add to our scope of work.

 

Other things I am presenting are better ways of what we are doing now. Better quality renderings with faster turnaround by outsourcing to a renderfarm. focusing on how we are doing our client presentations -- moving from a linear style slide show to flash presentations.

 

So I know that some of you may not be in the same position I am in... but maybe this will help. And yes... there are pros and cons to what I am proposing. But it is a proactive approach, and I'm not going to wait for the work to come to me.

 

Let me know your thoughts and ideas. Thanks, Derek

[Dan J]

Derek,

 

I hear you and your need to keep yourself busy and employeed.

 

I've work for an few architectruals firm as a cg illustrator and designer. Some of the firms had a graphics departments that took care of all the print and some web media work. I generally took care of all the cg, video, interactive and digital presentation work.

 

I've noticed working for these firms and speaking with others at local firms, most firms don't like to farm out their talent to other competitors. That said, you will have a difficult time convencing them otherwise.

 

I agree with you on developing other avenues of business, but your work with always be in support of the designers & architects in the firm. So it will be up to the architects, interior designers and marketing department to go out and drum up any new business they can get. All you can really do is hone your current skills and add a few other skills that will support the greater good of the firm. Most importantly, you probably don't want to draw too much negative attention to your endeavors and try to do everything you can to make yourself indespensible, even if you have to draft floor plans, run print jobs and refill the tissue.

 

Good luck.

[d-rockZ]

Dan... thanks for the feedback. Believe me, I'm doing everything I can right now to sharpen my skills. Its not so much that I'm worried about my job. I would like to think I'm indespensable. Its my company going under that I'm more worried about. Right now its down to myself and one other graphic designer that makes up the graphics/marketing department. And we are doing everything we can to market our company to clients. I think at this point any suggestions to my bosses would have to at least considered.

[EddieLeon]

Eddie thanks for your responses... It seems as though you have experience through the ebb-and-flow of past economies.

 

Yes and No. The current downturn that we are facing is very unique and might require some creative solutions to survive it.

 

Other things I am presenting are better ways of what we are doing now. Better quality renderings with faster turnaround by outsourcing to a renderfarm. focusing on how we are doing our client presentations -- moving from a linear style slide show to flash presentations.

 

I admire your proactive approach and efforts to help your employer in hard times. Most employees would never do this.

 

I personally believe the point you made above is critical. It might be more effective for your company to enhance it's services and processes rather than adding new ones.

 

Also, if your company needs to find new clients, then you definitely should shift your role a little more to marketing. I bet that there are some old projects that you can re-render and polish up for your website and marketing materials. It would also be great if you can get involved in targeting new clients/markets and preparing presentations for them. I think this will be a good learning experience for you so that when you are ready to open your own company one day you'll have a better perspective on the business side of things. Good luck.