MulaG Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 Hi, I am just starting out and wondering whether anyone has got anyt tips on how to get your first client for an architectural project. I have been using C4D for the past 6 months and architectural renderings is what I would like to specialise in. Do you need to present them with a portfolio? if so how many images and do they all have to be architectural (I assume)? I know it's a bit premature to ask this but what sort of pricing (for starters) is recommended - I know this is a little difficult to answer as you have no image to go by - (quality of work). I am working on my first interior scene at the mo and will post for critique. Another important question is it vital that you have AutoCAD? I've heard you can use Illustrator to tidy up files then use your 3D package and extrude? I would eventually get AutoCAD LT but for the meantime will Illustrator and C4D do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 no, it's not vital you have autocad. it's certainly a help, even acadLT, as if firms want to give you info they generally have acad themselves, so expect DWG's. (better than DXF format). you can ask them for different formats, but always go on the assumption that clients are rather dull, and need straight forward methods. AcadLT is pretty cheap, and will allow you to view a 3d model with limited (but enough) editing/cleanup facilities. C4D with illustrator is fine. C4D by itself is fine, providing ur a skilled C4D modeller. Personally i model in acad, then render in C4D. The best method of getting work is to produce a strong portfolio, preferably in hard copy format. send firms copys, tell them how wonderful you are, how they cant afford to be without you. AND DONT OVER-CHARGE! even if the first couple of jobs are for peanuts. here's a usefull site listing uk architects - http://www.ribafind.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 8, 2004 Author Share Posted March 8, 2004 Thanks Strat! Can't quite afford Autocad just yet is AutoCad LT about £800? Portfolio - Am I right in assuming it's only architectural projects? (interior/exterior scenes) Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 i think it's around £450-500 or something. portfolio - yup, definately architectural projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_bock Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 tip for start...well Make a check list of the investment you did so far, speak with an expert that help you to settle a professional status, find a way to facturate.. make a price list, do also a portfolio, 20/30 images.. persentation card.. there you go.. to the phone, get a list of archi around, start to phone, first to the very far ones, to help you improve a speach, then to the ones you can after pass and leave you're price list and show them you'r portfolio... can be a way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IC Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 I agree with the above advice but going in TOO low can cause problems as the client will want to stay with you because you're so cheap. It's then very difficult to raise your prices and even though the repeat business is good, it will take an age to make money. Another tip is don't be that keen that you give unrealistic timescales. Three all nighters in a row and you'll want to work at McDonalds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 9, 2004 Author Share Posted March 9, 2004 tip for start...well make a price list, do also a portfolio, 20/30 images.. ... 20/30 images! - I thought it was half that! But they have to get a good idea of what they are getting into I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 9, 2004 Author Share Posted March 9, 2004 IC: Cheers! What is the average time to do an interior scene - eg. an office? a week? if so do you double that to allow for contingency? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 9, 2004 Author Share Posted March 9, 2004 There is a question that I posted as a seperate thread which must be sensitive - about interior content - I only wanted to know whether artists model all their furniture from scratch which I enjoy, but I'm worried that it will add extra time on a project. Any suggestions/comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingeldar Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 a few places where u can get FREE or BUYable 3d stuff http://3d-station.com/Tutoriaux/tutoriaux.php?id=91 http://www.abscissa.net/ http://www.autodrop.net/ http://cben.net/ http://www.3dcommune.com/ http://www.hivemindcreations.com/home.html http://www.aeccontent.com/article-00.htm http://www.marvin.com/products/product.cfm?oid=A447071D-66A0-4019-936310EE0F463FFD http://www.point-idrop.com/ http://www.scottonstott.com/DesignerFurniture/catalog1.html http://www.viziwiz.com/downloads.html have fun & good luck 4 dat new carreer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 20/30 images! - I thought it was half that! But they have to get a good idea of what they are getting into I guess. i would personally rather see 10 high quality images rather than 30 average images. a couple of high quality exteriors, a couple of high quality interiors, a couple of of drama shots with crazy perspective or something, and maybe throw in a special section cut rendering. it will give the client enough to see that you can do great work, as well as get him excited about his own project. with 30 images, after awhile they will all look the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbr Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 i would personally rather see 10 high quality images rather than 30 average images. a couple of high quality exteriors, a couple of high quality interiors, a couple of of drama shots with crazy perspective or something, and maybe throw in a special section cut rendering. it will give the client enough to see that you can do great work, as well as get him excited about his own project. with 30 images, after awhile they will all look the same. Have quality over quantity. I've had clients look at one image and not care to see more, others wanted to see a particular sq ft house (that I didn't have) and style. So variety is important. Commercial, residential, interiors, etc. Just grab a Dwell, Metropolitan Home, or Interior Design and start modeling and lighting. Go for modern, it's easier to start with. Good luck, it ain't easy starting unless you have good contacts. You'll need a lot of persistance, but it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_bock Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 I think that the quantity of images, is relative, i mean, in my case i use this quantity just for them to pass the eyes, eventualy some stop on this interior, others in another type, but, during this they are bombed with my speach, maybe they don't retain too much of it, but some keywords i'm sure they do ! The essencial is that the remember one image or two, your face, and where they putted the visit card i left !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlemagne Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 Here in belgium, building or real estate company's often display architectural plans of buildings to be build/sold (that is if they don't have 3d renderings). I had pictures taken of one of them, modeled it out in 3D (approximately correct, since starting from a photograph of the plan) rendered out, put some real-footage environment, .... ....presented to the architect involved, .... ...wham!!! .... first client made!!!. one image, one phone call, one appointment! actually, I have to start my business in 3 weeks (1st of april) so that was good for a start. I will also use Cinema 4D and Adobe CS for renderings, but I want to specialise in people working with Vectorworks, and I don't want to limit myself to architectural work. Good luck, collegue, on your as new business as mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 11, 2004 Author Share Posted March 11, 2004 Kingledar: That's a lot of links. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulaG Posted March 11, 2004 Author Share Posted March 11, 2004 i would personally rather see 10 high quality images rather than 30 average images..... That's a very good point! At the moment I'm trying to make my first scene look descent ie - not a quick modelling job, and I'm making sure that the materials I have used are as realistic as possible. mbr: I have bought some design magazines and picking up lots of ideas for a portfolio. I understand what your saying about variety, you wouldn't want your client to get bored no matter how good your images are. fred_bock >The essencial is that the remember one image or two, your face, and where they putted the visit card i left !! - In that case Fred like the others mentioned it's worthwhile having less images which are very good! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingeldar Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 happy if i could help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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