Reitveld Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 How do you describe what you do for a living? When I meet Architects I say I create 3D Computer Renderings. 99.9% of them understand what I do. However the general public (family, neighbor, etc.) rarely understand and I get blank stares. I’ve tried modifying my approach to see if I get better recognition… I’ve said I do: Architectural Illustrations, 3D Illustrations, 3D Renderings, and called myself a 3D Digital Artist. I still get deer in the headlight responses. At which time I have to use my ‘elevator pitch’ to describe what I do. Do you have any good titles, or short descriptions that folks instantly understand what you do for a living? Also, do you think our industry is old enough for folks to really know what we do without an explanation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heni30 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 (edited) When dealing with the lowest common denominator I just say "I create a pretty picture of what a building is going to look like when it's built." But instead of drawing it I use a computer to make a 3d model. Then I explain it's used to: Help in the design process. Show the owner what their building is going to look like. Get the bank to cough up some $$ for the building. Market the building to prospective tenants. Show the design board/public what it's going to look like. And if they still don't get it I excuse myself saying I have to go get another drink. Edited January 4, 2014 by heni30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reitveld Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 It came up again this weekend, and I tried your words. Seemed to go well. ... but after 5 minutes of them telling me about an Architect they use to know in their neighborhood (didn't know their name or the company name) I excused myself to refreshed my bourbon and coke. Your advised me well... twice! I'm still on my quest for a title that everyone understands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zdravko Barisic Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 ^ Thats the key! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 As usual, Scott nails it. It's somewhere between the maybe-Einstein quote about doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result and flat-out prostitution. I have described myself as an 'art whore'. Your results may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic H Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 computer modelling donkey for the less fortunate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryhirsch Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 @ Scott...so true! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reitveld Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 LOL. I've not yet called myself a Donkey Art Whore yet, but I might give it a try the next time I'm asked... I bet I get the same glass-eyed look I usually get. ... my mother was right, I should have been a "digital doctor" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocratic3d Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 You can simply tell them that I work with hundred of architects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsage Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 genious! and so true! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadritahir Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Person: So what do you do? You: Well... I'm a 3D Artist. Basically, I draw buildings on the computer then edit them to look like an actual photograph. Person: oh sweet... I'm building my house at the moment, can you do mine? You: Sure!, here is my contact info. Person: So what type of camera do you use? You: ..... You: ........ Story of my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterlepeu Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 How about Me:"3d Computer Graphics"? They'll ask: "oh, you are a graphic designer?" Me:"Nope, it's more like visual effects..." And they'll make a strange face because they still don't understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reitveld Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 palm slap. I think I'll just start calling myself a pixel pusher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonasthomas Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I think making my job discription a bit more general often works better. Something like: "I make illustrations in 3D" People generally know what illustrations are and what 3D is. :-) And it's not like I am telling a lie. :-) They can always ask for who I make those illustrations if they want to know more. Maybe it is better to not start a monologue about what you do, because you'll lose them after two senteces anyway. It puts yourself in a weak position where you want to convince them that you are doing something cool. Plus: people like things/ explanations that are not too complicated so they can easily put you in a category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyderSK Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I've never had this problem, seems most people of all age categories around me know what architectural visualization/illustration entails. But on other hand, I've had to 'defend' myself quite few times from follow-up "But why did you not become real architect?". I just smile, answer how it's non-stressful and pays well and leave it at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulenthalibram Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Most of the time I say that I help investors to sell their unbuilt property easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heni30 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 But on other hand, I've had to 'defend' myself quite few times from follow-up "But why did you not become real architect?". I just smile, answer how it's non-stressful and pays well and leave it at that. I just smile and say "I get artistic satisfaction of from creating images. The only down side is that it's so stressful and doesn't pay very well." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael J. Brown Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 [ATTACH=CONFIG]50579[/ATTACH] Freaking PRICELESS, Scott! I'm printing this out and hanging it in my cubicle this moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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