Have trouble explaining your job?

[braddewald]

I've only been at this for just about a year, but I still haven't found a way to explain to people in just a few words what we in the arch viz community do. Anyone have a good "dumbed down" explanation that you have ready-made for friends and family?

[ihabkal]

I just tell them I'm a hitman.

[Sindala]

Me: You know those pictures on those big boards by construction sites that show you how it will be? I make those.

 

They: Ah (nod knowingly but still have no idea)

[Koper]

Visualizing Architecture in 3D using the same software as pixar.... No, I'm not an architect, I make the pretty images for them

[Chad Warner]

Me: You know those pictures on those big boards by construction sites that show you how it will be? I make those.

 

They: Ah (nod knowingly but still have no idea)

 

That's almost exactly what I tell people, but I say "the pretty pictures on the big boards"

[ihabkal]

me make pretty pictures of pretty ladies in front of buildings to hang on walls and big billboards. pretty lady makes people think if they live in this building then pretty lady will come live with them. people spend their life savings to live in small jail like box rooms instead of living in harmony with nature like in Avatar. me ruin Earth.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

"I make pretty pictures" is the one I tend to use most when I don't want to explain. And then just leave it at that. I tend to get responses like, "Well, someone has to."

 

Years ago, I used to spend a lot of time modeling, so I once told someone I was a modeler. They asked if they would have seen me in anything. Meaning, a commercial, or print ad. That was the last time I said that.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Crazy Homeless Guy

[Justin Hunt]

I now say "Architectural illustrator" and "no I'm not an architect, I just change their nappies"

 

jhv

[DelfoZ]

Me: " i do perspectives in the computer"

They: " O_o mmmm"

Me:" You know, like toy story without the toys "

They " must be fun"

[kippu]

the building ads which come in the mags , thats what i do

[Inxa]

Couple of answers are really the ones that I give to people when they ask me. If people are related to media field, or many well-informed folks then it's not such a issue explaining what I do.

 

But otherwise, well it's one different story. Many times I end up getting a question, (A senior marketing officer in a well known construction company also ended up asking this) - "Okay, so if you work so much on the computer, model it on the computer and the computer renders everything, so what is that you guys do" After a long long explanation in detail when he asked me this I was really tired to answer him.

 

Does anyone face this question.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Inxa

[mahorela]

I now say "Architectural illustrator" and "no I'm not an architect, I just change their nappies"

 

jhv

 

hahahaha........gold.

 

I always just say "I do computer graphics" and most people are happy with that. If they press me on it I add "for architecture".

[ihabkal]

Couple of answers are really the ones that I give to people when they ask me. If people are related to media field, or many well-informed folks then it's not such a issue explaining what I do.

 

But otherwise, well it's one different story. Many times I end up getting a question, (A senior marketing officer in a well known construction company also ended up asking this) - "Okay, so if you work so much on the computer, model it on the computer and the computer renders everything, so what is that you guys do" After a long long explanation in detail when he asked me this I was really tired to answer him.

 

Does anyone face this question.

 

do what I do, tell him you work in the mafia, and you're a hitman.

[Sketchrender]

The makeup artist for buildings.

 

or as my old boss used to say

 

"He puts lipstick on the gurela"

 

I tried to explain to my son what i do, and he says

 

" so you draw a picture of the building on your computer, and then somebody pays you for it.

 

Yes.

 

cool.

 

he is 4

[Tim Nelson]

I just tell people I'm unemployed. They generally understand that.

[anejo]

I recently was invited to be part of a "Career Day" event at a local high school. Fortunately, i had my laptop with me, otherwise i would never been able to explain what i do.

[STRAT]

i dont bother these days.

 

to people i meet in general i'm a graphic designer

to people i meet of importance or relevance i'm an architect

when signing forms and official things i'm an artist

 

Of which i'm none of those 3. I consider myself a visualisation artist. or a 3d artist. or an architectural visualiser. even i dont know what the heck i am. we dont officially exist. go figure.

 

i like hit-man though.

[ihabkal]

I just tell people I'm unemployed. They generally understand that.

 

most of my relatives think I am unemployed. My wife's aunts think that my wife is the provider of the house and that I am a bum. but that's because they're jealous of my ass.

[Nic H]

lol they are jealous of your ass?

 

i tell people im a palm tree arranger.

[Koper]

lol they are jealous of your ass?

 

i tell people im a palm tree arranger.

 

yes, well, some days we are gardeners, and other day's we are jet pilots

[odouble]

Does Marketing sum it up?

[Gary Ledgerwood]

I just tell people that I create images to help people visualize what their new building (addition, renovation, etc.) will look like. Maybe not a short enough of an explanation, but I dont get too many confused looks.

[Frosty]

If you think that's hard, try explaining that you're an "Architectural Intern". To most people an architect is someone who draws "blue prints" and an intern is a student. So to most people, I'm a student that draws blue prints.

 

It makes "I draw pictures of unbuilt buildings" seem easy

[alias_marks]

All good comments so far, In addition I thought I'd add a thought....

 

Maybe I have my head in the clouds a bit... but I prefer to say I give vision, life, and tangible results that inspire the talent behind the design team in a way only visuals can do. Yes technically we all do that through making pretty pictures, but there's also a side of what we do that is hard to put a finger on...

 

I think many here can relate to that experience and shift in the excitement level of an architect/designer/developer, when they see your illustration for the first time. It becomes real and alive to them in a way they hadn't experienced before. They begin to talk about the project differently, shift conversations towards the design differently, and it becomes more real.

Edited May 3, 2010 by alias_marks
word mix up.

[ihabkal]

Michael, I used to say and think the same thing when I was 26 and when I worked in the US.

Thanks for reminding me of those good times.