"Just.... make something up"

[TommyJ]

So you've started work on a new building/extension/3d image but when you ask the client about the interior design they say the dreaded words "make something up"

 

I've lost count of the number of times I've heard this from clients over the years - with respect to 3D and architectural design work.

 

In almost every case, the client doesn't like the original layout/choice of furniture and materials etc and you end up getting dragged into a long-winded process of interior design development even though you're not being paid to do the interior design.

 

Anyone else had the same issue? - I assume it's common, and would be interested to hear the experiences of others

 

 

 

The worst cases in my experience come when doing 3d images of retail interiors (eugh), when we'd end up spending more time working on the arrangement of the shop window displays than sorting out the actual architecture. These days we tell the client we'll have to charge extra for the service - which never goes down particularly well.

 

Anything involving 3d tends to be worse for this IME, as it's easier to just throw some indicative CAD blocks in if you're just presenting 2D drawings.

[Scott Schroeder]

This happens quite frequently. The way I try to minimize the "Well, that's not what I saw in my head." comments is one simple thing. Visual reference.

 

Either I'll ask them to provide a similar project or I will provide them with imagery that is similar to what I am thinking. Then, I will get those images signed off. Then, after that step, can the CG creation progress start. I also make sure to get their approval very early on in the creation process. All too often we make the mistake of showing the near-final version only to have 75% change when the client first sees it.

 

If you try to get in front of the issues, they happen less frequently later on. Of course, when the topic of make it up comes up with a client, I cover all of this process right then and there so there is no surprise to them later on. It all comes down to us communicating to and educating the clients as to what it really means to "make it up."

[Tommy L]

Use your own previous imagery for the references, this way you'll have the modeling all ready to go...

[Chris MacDonald]

Happens all the time.

 

[edit] A classic that I get all the time (happened today in fact) is the architect will come to me and say "oh you remember x job, well I need a small update on it, I've only stretched a bit of the building out", and I just loaded up the cad plans over the model I had and it is literally completely different all the way around the building. Because it was a few weeks back since I last worked on the model, he forgot that he had made so many changes and just assumed it was only the one thing to adjust.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Macker

[Justin Hunt]

often get this, sometimes I say great and put my designers hat on other times I deliberately do something that the architect will not like, thus forcing them to put their designers hat back on.

 

When working with non-designers though then Scott's suggestion is the best way to go.

[Tommy L]

A related piece of advice would be the 'hairy elbow'. I cant remember who told me this slight of hand diversionary tactic, but it works. Before an image review, put something semi-obviously wrong in the image, something the client can point at and change. Make it something easy to change, preferably in post.

In review, clients often feel compelled to change things, like its doing their due diligence. Once we've established that the bald monkey tap-dancing in the window is wrong, we can wrap a bow around it and say its finished. The hairy elbow. Your pride will take a hit, but its worth it.

[SkylineArch]

I hate the "just make something up". Sometimes it's OK and not a big deal, but when it takes a lot of time or it causes back and forth revisions to my design, it gets annoying.

[Scott Schroeder]

A related piece of advice would be the 'hairy elbow'. I cant remember who told me this slight of hand diversionary tactic, but it works. Before an image review, put something semi-obviously wrong in the image, something the client can point at and change. Make it something easy to change, preferably in post.

In review, clients often feel compelled to change things, like its doing their due diligence. Once we've established that the bald monkey tap-dancing in the window is wrong, we can wrap a bow around it and say its finished. The hairy elbow. Your pride will take a hit, but its worth it.

 

[arnoudschoofs]

Scott, funny you bring up darth vader on a segway.

In our previews we`ve often tried to place him, exactly for the same reasons as metioned over here.

He never made it to the final image...too bad

Edited January 28, 2015 by arnoudschoofs

[TommyJ]

I remember putting a Glock 9mm surrounded by bullets on a sofa for a client's brochure once (as an internal joke), then forgot to remove it for the final images.

[Fooch]

Scott, funny you bring up darth vader on a segway.

In our previews we`ve often tried to place him, exactly for the same reasons as metioned over here.

He never made it to the final image...too bad

 

ditto....

[notamondayfan]

Best way around this is to either produce style boards before doing ANY 3D work, and get client approval / amends (obviously charge for this too).

 

Or hire an interior stylist to do style boards, and again charge for this.

 

I think doing style boards is good practice anyway, and it avoids do the library drag and drop, meaning your images generally look and feel the same.

 

If anyone needs a good interior stylist let me know, I work with a lass all the time and I never have this "just make something up" scenario. To be honest it sounds really unprofessional from the client.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Best way around this is to either produce style boards before doing ANY 3D work, and get client approval / amends (obviously charge for this too).

 

 

This is the way to handle these situations. If you are asked to design a space you see it as a chance to show that your skillset is more than a commodity. I would not just make something up unless you have worked with the client before and you guys are in an understanding of what that means. Otherwise you will likely get burnt and begin to lose profit trying to figure out what the client actually wants.

 

Start with style boards that identify the mood and feel of the area that needs to be designed. After the client approves those implement the layout of the design using whatever models or massing you have on hand. If the client is comfortable with the way the style board will be implemented then you can begin purchasing/modeling/contracting the necessary pieces for that design to happen.

 

At the end of the day you made it up but you had the clients approval every step of the way.

[CliveG]

I remember putting a Glock 9mm surrounded by bullets on a sofa for a client's brochure once (as an internal joke), then forgot to remove it for the final images.

 

I showed a bomb with a lit fuse under the (awkward) potential clients desk, (as an internal joke) - and forgot to take it out when presenting the project pitch!

 

Now THAT was an awkward meeting. Incredibly we still somehow won the job (which probably saved mine).

 

I was young and sleep deprived......

[M V]

I simply make a client (who usually doesn't completely understand how much work, goes into this. I explain it almost boring detail so they get the point - this stuff takes a lot of time - Time = Money. I dont care how many revisions, edits, make this up, whatever a client wants. They can all have it as long as I am getting paid. Sometimes I rather have a client tell me to "make it up" then get a 200 page set of CDs with all the details nailed down to the moulding profiles. That takes a lot longer and is less fun, in my opinion.

 

Just as mentioned above my post, communication is the best tool to work these kinds of situations out.

[eagle_ear]

Ask the client what material he wants the other renderings mounted on when you smash them over his head.

 

'you had the clients approval every step of the way'