lordmidas Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 Hi, 3D is now a very common way of presentation for architectural work and 3D software are easier to learn than before. Architectural firm are doing there 3d work inhouse more an more as architect learn 3d software in school. My question is: Are you still doing business with architectural firm ? If not, were do you get your client from ... ? (government, construction firm, etc ...) If yes, Is it that they are not doing it inhouse or that you offer something else ? (animation, VR, etc ...) Were i live, all the architect do there 3D inhouse. So, our clients come from other sectors. It's a little strange because when we started our business, we thought architect would use are services. Maybe it's are marketing strategie that doesnt work ... that's why i want to know your opinion. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Paske Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 A similiar situation: We don't use any outside CG Illustrator, but we do use an Illustrator, who has a contract with us, to do water color renderings, and hand sketches. My primary role where I work is an in-house 3D architectural illustrator. There are many interns and designers here that know 3D and use it as a design tool. A few years ago many people thought my role would be "phased out" simply because so many people were having success creating images with AccuRender, which is incredibly easy to learn. However, the quality and time it took to generate images made it obvious that there's a difference between a full-time 3D Illustartor and one who dabbles. There's only so many hats an intern or designer can wear without loosing their marbles. I also felt the urgency to get better and learn the more advanced tools in 3dMax, essentially to be known as a leader by reputation and by helping interns with their work. I now do a lot of animations and help the IT Dept. with any sort of graphics issue. I've started training people in Photoshop and want to start 3D training for the interns/designers. The stand alone illustration firms have to raise their level because of this to compete with the in-house people such as me. I think a lot of firms are, simply becasue I'm constantly humbled by what I see some of those people/ firms are doing. I also think it has to do with long term relationships many of those companies have had with their CG illustrator, it's a trust thing. I think many offices are just settling for what can be done in-house, although they know a stand alone CG Illustrator can produce better work. A lot of this has to do with heads of these companies having corporate values that allow their employees the opportunity to get better, and promote continuing education. Some of this also has to do the clients expectations and saving money. I would have to disagree that software is getting easier to learn. 3D Software generally has piled on more and more features over the years and has become more complex. The biggest complaint I get when someonce moves from AccuRender to Viz or Max is "too many buttons!" But that's where the power comes from... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 in the UK most sizable firms of architects do all 3d in-house. we certainly do. we only farm out to watercolour perspective artists. small 1 man band private architects still employ 3d guys on a freelance bases, but i personally wouldnt want to go freelance in my part of town. if i were to be made unemployed tomorrow my only ports of call for jobs searching would be to be an in-house 3d man for a bigger firm of architects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kainoa Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 ..but i personally wouldnt want to go freelance in my part of town. if i were to be made unemployed tomorrow my only ports of call for jobs searching would be to be an in-house 3d man for a bigger firm of architects. Strat, I'm curious about your reasons. Would you please share them? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 literally because there's more work/money getting a constant supply of work through in-house jobs than for searching out freelance stuff. as i say, specially where i live and work. i freelanced years ago here, and jobs were pretty tight then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 in a more populated big city, maybe freelance is a better choice. especially take the tax issue into concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enischuo Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I happened onto an article recently that spoke of the industry--or those capable of producing quality illistrations--as a growing need in many differing fields. Not just the architectural side, but for product designers, manufacturers, developers, and even retail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmidas Posted March 23, 2004 Author Share Posted March 23, 2004 Enischuo Where did you get that article ? It would be very interesting to read ... Is it on the web ? Or can you scan it as pdf ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Mann Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 in the UK most sizable firms of architects do all 3d in-house. Not necessarily so. A lot of my clients are big practices with in-house capabilities but these particular companies find that external 3D guys are able to offer more in terms of quality and content beyond what they can produce themselves. I also find that smaller architectural practices are not ideal as clients because their budgets are very tight. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Not necessarily so. A lot of my clients are big practices with in-house capabilities but these particular companies find that external 3D guys are able to offer more in terms of quality and content beyond what they can produce themselves. I also find that smaller architectural practices are not ideal as clients because their budgets are very tight. Jim Jim, I agree with you. Pretty much all architects have and use 3D inhouse these days, but few have the time and resourses to produce top quality visuals for marketing. I'm often asked to take their work 'to the next level'. They probably wouldn't bother outsourcing the work on the smaller, low key jobs...but we don't want those anyway! Just to put a balance onto what Strat has said, I have freelanced in Architectural CG for the last 5 years, and in that time I have probably had 3 -4 weeks without any work al all. I know, as long as I'm busy, I can earn much more than If I was an employee. Mind you, I also know that if I was still using traditional techniques, I would be out of work! Strat. Don't forget, you're all a bit weird in Wales, so things are probably different their. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmidas Posted March 24, 2004 Author Share Posted March 24, 2004 Thanks to all ! Now i know why i dont get any job from those guys ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Mann Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 I have freelanced in Architectural CG for the last 5 years, and in that time I have probably had 3 -4 weeks without any work al all. Only 5 weeks without work is very impressive. Last winter was awful for me but since then its been pretty much end to end. Like yourself, if I can keep the work going, I can earn more than if I was working for someone else. Although I occasionally get fed up of wroking late/nights/weekends I don't think I could ever go work for another company, I like determining the direction of what I do too much. Certainly wouldn't consider going back to being an architect, I have completed enough tender packages to last a lifetime already! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Strat. Don't forget, you're all a bit weird in Wales, so things are probably different their. :-) thats probably true. even our tv's are still in sapia-vision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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