Bad timing or what?!

[Dan J]

Hello,

 

I'm just getting back in the Arch Viz groove after taking some graduate courses, remodeling a few houses, traveling and taking a little break with the family.

 

Now coming back in, reading the forums and watching the news- the real estate and financial markets has taken a huge down turn, outsourcing is taking its toll on US Viz folks and some folks are leaving the industry for work in other realms to keep afloat.

 

Nice timing! Maybe I should go back for more graduate studies and hide out for awhile?

 

I've been submitting resumes for a few months at Arch & interiors firms, marketing for Freelance work and trying to meet face to face with clients, though not getting very far.

 

I'm sure everyone is in the same boat and I know I need to redue some projects then upgrade my website, I'm sure this will help, but any suggestions on marketing, or B to B (sub contracting) working relationships.........?

 

I appreciate the comments and feedback, but lets not get too down on this.

Edited November 10, 2008 by Dan J

[nycL45]

"Scratch my back and I will scratch yours." "One hand washes the other." IOW, network. It requires a time commitment and it takes a while to find the right group with the right combination of members but it does work after a while.

 

Another concept is to cast a larger net. That means prepare a story outline for a local (major if possible) daily paper or a weekly magazine about cg and flog it. Maybe use an angle such as the art of visualizing before building or selling a project. Since cg is illustration/art, people can relate and if you have sumptuous renderings, it has the potential to be well received.

[Dan J]

I hear you on both ideas.

 

I've been newtworking and canvassing since late August, with a few responses from architectural firms with "Sorry we don't outsource" to "Oh we have a group in Vietnam, China, East Russia, South America that does all our work for less ....... blah, blah, blah".

 

I've been looking for inhouse work at firms and even considering a few graphic artist positions or some IT spots. I think if I could move to a larger west coast metro area I would I would have more responses.

 

I will try a few of the media approaches and continue to canvas for work.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[EddieLeon]

any suggestions on marketing, or B to B (sub contracting) working relationships.........?

 

The face-to-face meetings are a good idea. You might just need to refine your pitch. Find out first what your clients are looking for. Get into their heads. Figure out what you can offer them that will get them excited. And then retool your pitch and presentation.

 

Let me ask you a few questions. What do you show in your meeting presentation and what do you say? Are you just showing a slide show of your best work? How long is the entire presentation? What are the main comments, concerns, or questions that your prospective clients ask?

[Devin Johnston]

In this economic climate it's going to be very hard for a freelancer to start from scratch especially when you have to compete with companies outside of the US who can work for a fraction of the money you can. In this situation your best bet is going to be working as an in house illustrator and it will let you get your foot in the door and build up your portfolio with some real work. Getting in the door is going to require that you have a really good portfolio or demo reel, and you really need both. You're also faced with the reality that your area of the country may be hurting more than some others and you may need to think about moving somewhere where the job climate is better.

As for going back to school I'd suggest not doing that, a degree is only going to get you so far in this business. At a certain point people are less concerned about your education and more interested in the work you've done and what you’re capable of doing. That's why a portfolio is so important, it shows an employer that you can actually produce something and you're not just a well educated nube.

[Dan J]

Eddie,

 

Thanks for the comments and questions.

 

I believe I might be targeting the wrong audience for freelance work, as I have been approaching mostly architects and those are the ones commenting they have it covered with in house resources, outsource or have a resource they're working with.

 

I'm firmly convinced it is mostly the economy that has me locked up from gaining any new contracts and possibly from being a one man show.

 

I've been using a few marketing/sales approaches- email direct, direct mail and face to face (if it happens). I email or mail to the marketing manager or principal of the firm (E) a link to my website, (M) a small brochure explaining services along with a DVD w/ samples w/ a link to my website (needs updating).

 

If it is a face to face- I come in dressed like a designer/sales/marketing guy (not over the top and lite on the cologne), give a brief overview of my past work, state past client / marketing / sales benefits of the work and show how I can give them additional services for the final presentation (Video, DVD, web, print). I have prints of the brochure, business cards and DVD that I leave with the clients for reference and follow up with email next day, then intermitantly afterwards.

 

I think I'm covering all basis, but things are not well out there in world right now and I think everyone is holding there $$ until the storm clears.

 

Maxer,

 

I appreciate the feedback.

 

I'm coming back in to the industry from taking some time out.

 

I have about 6yrs direct architectural experience (SD, DD, CD, zoning, codes... Exterior & interior, Res, Comm, Multi, Office....) and 6yrs direct experience creating 3d arch viz work (Interior & Exterior- Res, Comm, Multi, Office...) along with video, DVD, web, print presentations. I've worked inhouse for a few arch firms and have worked at a Arch CG firm based out of the upper midwest/ working in the SW. I have a good portfolio (I admit it could use some polish) with a good variety of work.

 

I'm trying my best to stay situated where I am for family and such, hence why I'm trying to get freelance work. I have had a few offers for inhouse work, but that would require moving a signifacant distance from where I'm located and it would be a messy for the family. Though, I am seriously considering a commute time (car or plane) up to 3hrs away to find work and come home on the weekends or every other weekend. I'm also looking at all other closely related fields that I can be productive in, until the economy improves. If there is any subcontract, B2B or partnering type of opportunities availble, I would certainly consider them.

 

Thanks again for the comments.

Edited November 20, 2008 by Dan J

[rmccoy]

Dan,

 

Have you tried talking to local construction companies? It may not be the work you would prefer to do. But you may be able to get some freelance work doing renderings for companies doing cookie cutter homes, etc... It really is a tough time out there right now. Good luck with your quest.

[EddieLeon]

Thanks for the comments and questions.

 

I believe I might be targeting the wrong audience for freelance work, as I have been approaching mostly architects and those are the ones commenting they have it covered with in house resources, outsource or have a resource they're working with.

 

I'm firmly convinced it is mostly the economy that has me locked up from gaining any new contracts and possibly from being a one man show.

 

Dan, you're welcome.

I think you are targeting the right clients and your approach makes sense. The economy is pretty bad and it is making it difficult for everyone to get work. Things will most likely get worse.

 

However, this doesn't mean that there isn't any more work. The money is out there. Everyone is just holding it a little tighter. The main issue here is "value". The only way you are going to get a significant amount of work quickly is if you can convince your clients that you are going to offer them something better than any other 3d studio/company/in-house/freelancer/whatever.... The balance between your quality, service, price, and speed needs to be close to 30-50% better than the current 3d choice that your clients are using. Otherwise, it won't be worth it for them to make the change.

 

Ok. So your next question might be: "How the heck can a freelancer like me become so much more competitive?" The truth is that you can't do this by yourself and I won't sugar coat that fact. But, you can transform your business model and get the firepower that you need to compete. Maybe what you need to do is figure out what your personal strengths are and find a group of people that can compliment you? Is your strength and passion sales? If it is, then maybe you should spend most of your time doing it and hand off all your work to a friend that loves doing the artwork and who doesn't like dealing with clients. Maybe you need to do the opposite?

 

Obviously, you are doing the right thing by networking and asking plenty of questions. I encourage you to dig deeper into the logic of our industry/business in order to strategize your way out of this economic mess

 

Good Luck

[EddieLeon]

Dan,

....you may be able to get some freelance work doing renderings for companies doing cookie cutter homes, etc...

 

Ahhh...great sense of humor

 

I think what Ross meant to say is that the Health Care industry is still pretty solid. There are many architecture firms out there. But, target the ones doing institutional work. Preferably the mid to large size firms. Another option is firms that do a lot of international work. However, don't get too excited about Dubai because it's a tough market to break into and it's already starting to slow down over there...

[Dan J]

Hey all,

 

I thought the comment chasing for residential work was a little funny. Especially coming from LV, one of the foreclosure capitals of the US currently and the casino business shutting down building progress on the strip.

 

In my area we've had several home builders go belly up and more to follow, not to mention the foreclosure rate keeps edging up. Those workers how are sticking around are taking jobs at walmart and McD's. So I don't expect any residential business for a very long time. Even when time were good that side of the pool was rough to make end meet with.

 

Eddie,

 

I hear what you are saying and perhaps I'm not digging deep enough. I've concluded awhile ago that a one man show isn't the best approach and partnering is the only long term option. I think it maybe the only fate for many of us in this industry to consolidate & merge to sustain growth.

 

Unfortunately, it feels like I'm digging in quick sand at this point and I should grab at the nearest hanging vine until I can swing to solid ground. I won't talk to the outlook for the U.S. and globally, I'm going to look for the half glass full and forge ahead.

 

Well I will leave it at that and say thanks for the comments.

 

I will try to post something more technical or upbeat next time around.

 

Thanks again.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Dan J

[EddieLeon]

...it feels like I'm digging in quick sand at this point and I should grab at the nearest hanging vine until I can swing to solid ground.

 

Ok Tarzan. I hope you can find that vine.

I do agree with you that some sort of consolidation in the industry might be the way to go. 2009 will be a fun year!