Neth Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 Hi all, I am doing a research on digital 3D visualization practices in the field of architecture. I am wondering what are the pros and cons of having architectural visualization done in house versus outsourcing it to visualization firms or freelancers. How does this affect the design process, cost, time, management etc.? What will be the future of viz.firms if all architectural firms start having inhouse facilities for their viz. requirements? Please share your views. Neth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingo Posted November 12, 2002 Share Posted November 12, 2002 Hi you, just look here : http://www.cgarchitect.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000179 regards ingo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_A Posted November 12, 2002 Share Posted November 12, 2002 Hello Neth, Firms may find the commitment and resources to support comprehensive 'in-house' viz services. Quite a few do now. On the other hand some feel that they have greater flexibility and better options when they are able to outsource to the open market. The vast majority are simply too small to handle significant visualiztion projects on their own. There will always be exceptions. My guess is that 'Viz firms' are here to stay especially as technology becomes more and more specialized. There will be a continuing need these services and they will likely be the ones to break new ground in the medium. Design feedback, time, cost, and management are all very good questions to look into, but conclusions will vary depending on the parties under involved. For every argument favoring outsourcing I could give you one against. The same is true for 'in-house viz'. It's an evaluation that should be made on a firm by firm, or even project by project basis. Overall in my experience, knowledgeable people 'in-house' (not necessarily full-time visualizers) can handle day-to-day needs. For projects beyond their capability or ones that need a fresh look, bring in the hired hands, and do it early on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kid Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 Inhouse CG illustrators are usually underpayed and overworked slaves. Many firms get a CAD drafter who has some 3d knowledge and pays them peanuts, and would only dream of outsourcing (where they would actually have to pay a price befitting of the work being done) if they were 100% sure that the cost would be covered by the client - like when developers ask for lots of pretty pictures. Well, that's what it's like here, I'm sure the case is different from country to country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_A Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 Not far off from the case over here either Kid. Many 'visualization' specialists do get pulled into the job. At first it may look like an appealing change but can easily spiral out of control, been there. On the plus side you might get to work on the 'plum' projects, but not in the way you'd like. Two sides to every coin. Good management is the key for any in-house effort. Few 'managers' understand the viz side (let alone digital design). Like it or not they'd be better off shopping out rather than running off staff members. Some don't look at the big picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 Stay tuned! as the presentaiton that I'm in Boston for is about this topic EXACTLY. In about a week we might be able to get some video and audio if it. The guys from Neoscape have put together a great presentation, so keep your eyes open for at least a presentation outline. I'll keep you informed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 Hi Jeff, I'm really looking forward to this! Hi Kid and Chris_A, Indeed, many cg-illustrators are underpaid. Many young persons believe an inhouse job to be an oppurtunity to learn 3d, but hardly any of them realizes that they cannot play around because of tight deadlines. So the promise of 'learning a lot' is quite hollow: it's very basic stuff that has to be finished on hard turn-arounds and... really underpaid! rgds nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neth Posted November 13, 2002 Author Share Posted November 13, 2002 Hey all, Thanks for sharing your views. So from these comments can we say that the architectural firms which have in-house facilities have the advantage of hiring 3D viz. specialist and getting the job done for lesser pay ? For a fresh graduate specializing in visualization which will be the best place to go work - an arch firm or viz. firm? What is the average size of viz. firms which specialize in arch.visualization? Is there enough potential for them to keep hiring? Is the situation any better than meeting tight deadlines and working on odd jobs? Are there enough resources and time to experiment and explore? Too many questions??? :???: Jeff: waiting to hear about the Neoscape presentation. Neth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_A Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 To ease your potential fears Neth, where an architectural firm hires you to specifically do visualization, you may find a situation much more to your liking. You will know going in what they expect from you and what compensation will be offered. It's your call wether it's worth it to you at that point. Where most people run into problems is when they are asked to take on additional work with little in return. I think 'in-house' visualization can be very productive and even stimulating if it is managed well. There will be time between projects worthy of your efforts, giving you a chance to learn and explore new skills. In-house may also be more closely involved in the design process. Viz or Vfx firms will likely provide you with a more diverse experience as they won't be tied to what a single firm does. As far as statistics I honestly haven't seen much that is applicable. A reliable industry survey might be hard to get as I expect some would inflate their numbers to look better to the competition. Sounds like an opportunity for worth while research study though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted November 17, 2002 Share Posted November 17, 2002 Hi Neth Thoughts from the other side: For a fresh graduate specializing in visualization which will be the best place to go work - an arch firm or viz. firm? It really depends on your peronal goals: if you plan to learn the skills and than leave once you manage them, you won't get a job. If you're dedicated you might find one. rgds nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dollus Posted November 17, 2002 Share Posted November 17, 2002 I would suggest you start out at an A/E/C firm. Being right out of school, you will be more appealing to them and it will give you a solid background in the architectural field. If you start out at an art firm and things do not work out for you, your architectural opportunities may be limited. John D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_A Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 Good point John, I had the benefit of that experience before I was doing 'visualization' (even in-house). IMHO it helps to be able to talk the talk and understand what you are imaging. That is not to say that you won't know these things from school or on the job, but it seems that it is harder to pick-up when you are removed from the people doing the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 Hi all, I too would recommend what john and chris propose because partly it is the exact road that I travalled and partly because I come across these benefits almost everyday now. Being a fulltime visualisation artist now I'm aware of a lot of benefits of this education. rgds nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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