Good enough to freelance?

[kenlau1]

I would like to go freelance, but I am not sure if the quality of my work is good enough. Here's a link to my portfolio on Carbonmade:

 

http://l8sunrise.carbonmade.com/

 

I've been on other forums and people agreed there is still room for improvement, so I'm well aware of that. But I would like to know if my work is good enough to be saleable as it is now.

 

Another thing is that I've googled around regarding the rates for a freelance 3D Visualisation artist and while there really is no hard and fast rule, most self respecting freelancers tend to be against undercutting and instead advise you to aim for the middle ground (whatever that might be) - if not higher.

 

So how much could I reasonably charge at my current level without making it look as though I'm trying to rip the client off?

 

I have started to advertise my services, but it's been the same story so far. Clients emailing me for quotes and then disappearing just as quickly back into cyberspace once they see it.

[Scott Schroeder]

As a new freelancer, you will struggle initially to get that first client. It is just part of the process.

 

Your work does need improvement and it could be a reason why you don't hear back from them if you are quoting a high rate. Your work simply isn't up to par to pay a premium for. I'm not trying to be mean, but that is just the reality of it. You may want to take a side job to help buffer your income while you better your skills.

 

Your website tells us nothing about you or what you have to offer. You need to sell yourself on there. Sell your services and what not. You have to self promote yourself like no one other.

[kenlau1]

Hi Scott,

 

Thanks for your honest reply. I think it's pretty close to what I was expecting, to be honest, but it's always good to have confirmation.

Edited April 1, 2013 by kenlau1

[Stan Zaslavsky]

Hi Ken,

 

With all due respect to Scott - whilst taking on other people's advice - you should continue getting out there and marketing your services. There are always architects who are still doing 2D Cad and would love for someone to help them out to get it to 3D.

 

That's how we started a while ago - and have iterated many many times until our work got to a higher standard.

 

I would also recommend removing some of the older work from your website which isn't up to par as your standard improves.

 

Good luck and keep going,

[heni30]

On a good note, I've seen a lot worse. Your compositions are good and your quality is consistent. What seems to be missing is accents and punctuations and emphasis which is done by lighting for effect rather than mechanical accuracy and manipulation in post.

 

As has been said hundreds of times, you have to look at magazines - take pictures - see what's happening in real environments - in order to learn what qualities you need to strive for to bring your images to life.

 

I saw you had some retail shots - you can get VSMD for free; each issue has tons of pics showing what happens in real life with lighting effects.

Edited July 24, 2013 by heni30

[kenlau1]

Hi George,

 

Thanks for the reply and pointers.

 

This portfolio was actually updated with stuff I did for a company some time after Stan wrote his reply. Before that, I didn't really feel I could use those pieces on my portfolio, because a) I didn't get permission to use them (on that note, I probably should take them down now - I only put them up because someone specifically asked to see them) and b) it was not representative of what I am able to do at home with my current set up.

 

When I worked for my last company, I had all manner of models, textures and other tools whereas now, I don't even have MAX and vRay. I'm essentially having to learn new software from scratch.

 

Out of all the images on the website, only the house exterior (very first image), Luna Grill food stand, bedroom, kitchen and everything in the 'Sketchup modelling' category are representative of what I can do now with the set up I have at home. These were the images I showed first time round along with a few others - minus the house image.

 

That said, I have progressed since I first posted this thread and I could probably recreate most, if not all, of these images using the software I have now.

 

The house image is probably the best image I've done on my own and is my most recent piece, though I've had a lot of help from people kind enough to post c&cs on another forum.

 

I'm actually in the middle of a project at the moment and I'm pleased with how it's turning out. The client seems pleased with it as well.

[heni30]

The house image is great as far as materials and look go BUT your plants are too big and too saturated in color. That's what I mean about looking at photos and taking pictures. You would see that your scale is off, you would see how plants are grouped together, and what their color saturation is.

 

Our brain deludes us that just because we see something peripherally everyday we know what it is. It really takes focused examination to get something right.

[Scott Schroeder]

Perhaps the best book investment you will ever make digital artist; http://books.google.com/books/about/Color_and_Light.html?id=MvddjqkQy9UC

 

I highly recommend adding it to your library.

[kenlau1]

@George

 

Understood. I'll bear it in mind for next time.

 

@Scott

 

Thanks for the recommendation.

[junglee]

I've been in the field for about 10 years as a designer and turned into CG renderer recently and I've seen alot worse who we used hired for thousands of dollars. But then, they are all usually affiliated to good rendering firm that we hired by contract and you just get not so great renderings time to time.

 

As harsh as I can get to give you a straight answer, your current skill set won't get you a properly paid freelance job.

You would be better off sending out low cost proposals out to get your job started initially, perhaps charging around $500.

At this price point, you will get alot of calls from small firms, but you might feel that you aren't making any money because time>fee.

Small firms are more picky and renderings might look bad because usually design is not that great.

Bad design=bad rendering.

This is where your "design eye" can shine. You give them extra that your client didn't think about. You will slowly earn their respect which will lead to more jobs.

 

And as a designer/renderer, I would recommend you spending more time to find your own spirit that shows on the rendering instead of spending hours for super photo-realistic renderings.

Purpose of the rendering is to show the character/feeling/and the mood that designers want to express, not how photo realistic that glass on the table is.

Your clients may be impressed but there are a lot of people who can do the same.

A lot of renderers don't go too far because their renderings are just too static.

Good luck and always follow up with latest architectural design trend and get emotional with your work.

Edited August 19, 2013 by junglee

[kenlau1]

Hello Jung,

 

Thanks for the tips.

 

To be honest, I'd be lucky to even get $250 for any job. I actually managed to get a few paid jobs since my first post on this thread, but most of them went out for that amount or less.

 

That said, it's gotten a bit better recently. I upped my rates a little after a torrid experience with a cheapskate/non-paying client. I've had less takers as a result, but it proved the right thing to do.

[kylestanding]

Yes you are good enough. You just have to be persistent and find the first client who is happy with average quality. Make you prices very very cheap so you can get maximum experience dealing with clients so you know what to expect. Good luck.

[raymundosuero]

Excelent ..!!! i will buy it

[louissteadham]

In the early days of their career freelancers won't get the pay according to their potential, but you've potential and skills, you can start doing this freelancing immediately.

 

http://www.chesstelecom.com/business-broadband