Young arch-viz artist looking for some information

[augustobohm]

Hello, I'm Augusto, and let me tell you my situation.

 

I'm a 22 years old guy who's not satisfied with his current job. I work in a small arch-viz studio in my hometown, it is the only professional studio in entire city wich has 120k citzens. I don't have a big or good portfolio, because i did not have invested in my trademark since e started at this company.

 

The thing is, the job i do for them, i can make it myself, faster, on the deadlines (we always lose the deadlines (not by my fault)) and with much lower prices.

 

I want your opinion, is my portfolio good enough to launch myself and start my own studio? I arleady have a portfolio website and trademark, but i don't know how make it seen.

Corner Studio

 

I'm thankful for all your answers and opened for opinions the goods and the bads.

Edited October 16, 2015 by augustobohm

[nejck]

Hey dude

 

I guess there's been many views but no replies, which kinda makes me think your question is a hard one to get right. I guess, and this is only partially from experience, even if you are producing great images but you don't market yourself properly then you will be in trouble. I've actually seen artists with "lower quality" work (technically) get way more jobs than artists that produce above average imagery.

 

What I am trying to say here is that it is a bit hard to give you a straight up answer - heck, I don't even have all the answers for my own biz, not to mention others

 

I guess what people usually suggest in these types of situations is to try running two jobs and once you feel confident you have an established client base then drop the regular one and keep your studio - I would suppose that would be the safest option. Nick from GSG on the other hand kind of went the way of saving up money (say for 6 months) and that was his timeline to succeed before having to go back to his old job (granted, he worked on his own biz before he quit).

 

You also need to factor in your geography. If you do work for your local clients and all they need are basic visualizations then by all means, your work is up there and beyond (imho). On the other hand, if you would like to conquer Europe where there is a lot of competition then I feel like you have a quite a bit of a way to go.

 

Once you start marketing yourself as your own business you shouldn't forget that it is easy to come off arrogant or spamy so beware of that. In some areas (and considering your skill set too) its harder / easier to get a good client base running.

 

Nobody knows your situation more than you do so we can only debate here imho. Ultimately it is up to you and your values. I'd say whatever you decide, try to be fair to everyone and don't forget there is more to life than 3D work so cherish that as well.

 

Hope it helps, if even a little bit

[RyderSK]

I can agree with what Nejc said, loot of good, well-meant advice there. I will only comment on this part:

 

Nick from GSG on the other hand kind of went the way of saving up money (say for 6 months) and that was his timeline to succeed before having to go back to his old job (granted, he worked on his own biz before he quit).

 

In my opinion, most straightforward approach to certain success is leap of faith. Doing two things/jobs/etc.. at same time is demanding, can numb enthusiasm and possibly and realistically, make both endeavors suffer in quality.

 

6 months, is good amount of time to build up your portfolio, produce at least one or two, really good, exceptional works, that are from start conceived to be on the level you are trying to achieve and with similar theme you want your future commercial projects to be like. During this time, you can at least breathe freely, feel unburdened from daily grind, have enough time to refresh yourself (portfolio + leisure, instead of work+work) which will help you focus and produce higher quality work than you would have otherwise.

 

Of course, it requires investment (saved up money), ideally support (so you don't stray away from path, a good friend or girlfriend can be miracle), and it's risk. It might not work out, road to success rarely works out by simply completing predefined conditions. Lots of luck and randomness is involved. But even that shouldn't stress you, you can always go back to studio for time again, and with improved skillset. At 22, there really isn't reason to worry much.

[Devin Johnston]

Being successful in this industry or any business is all about who you know, you could have the best portfolio in the world but if you don't have connections you'll never get enough work to sustain yourself. Marketing is important but noting beats a face to face meeting, they're more likely to remember you the next time they need work if they've met you. I'd start with cold calls to all the architecture/design firms in your area, try to set up meetings where you can present yourself and your best work.

[RyderSK]

Being successful in this industry or any business is all about who you know, you could have the best portfolio in the world but if you don't have connections you'll never get enough work to sustain yourself.

 

I would disagree with this. Networking and connections have always been and always will be important. It's also very pleasant activity and indeed, nothing beats face to face meetings, which create more trusting and closer relationships.

 

But it's not "about it", or rather "all about who you know". I don't want to use personal anecdote of myself since it's not proper argument but neither feel like spending time to gather proper data.

 

Instead, I would correct it to "who you are", with good portfolio, and interesting personality/story, you do appear to quite broad clientele on global market you surely don't need to introduce yourself with cold calling, or other incredibly outdated technique.

 

There are enough tools and channels, mostly social networks, where you can market yourself, of course, smartly, as Nejc pointed out, it can easily by over-done to point of spamming, but that will annoy your fellow co-artists, not clients :- )

 

Single, good project, will make tens, even hundreds of people reach to you. That's the charm of age we're living. Negative of that is, that everyone gets such opportunity, and with rising level of quality, every industry saturates. But then you simply have to stand out more :- ) But it's still about you, not just those you know.

[augustobohm]

Thanks a lot guys!

 

It is a hard question, i know.

I think i whould take a half year to improve my porfolio, maybe improve some projects that i arleady have and maybe next year dedicate half day for improving my business and work in my current job the other half. I'm planning to start offering jobs for architects closer to me, and when i have a solid base, go search for work further.

 

What about social media, do you think improving my facebook page could help me at the beginning? Like inviting architects or people from the branch to like my page and as my portfolio growns, they see my work. Or you think it is not something to stick on?

 

Thank you again or all your answers, it is really helping me A LOT!

[Devin Johnston]

Social media only works if your stick with it for the long term, you can't just do it for a few months and then forget about it. It also shouldn't be the only way your marketing yourself, if you want people to know "who you are" you need to make contact with them IMO.

[augustobohm]

Yeah, but most of the time i'm underestimated because of my age, i've tried this sometimes but i've got no sucess, Well, it wasn't a lost of time, i've got seen which is good, but it was not what i was expecting. Or maybe i should present myself in another approach. What do you think?

[Devin Johnston]

Grow a beard it will make you look older

[augustobohm]

My gosh! i arleady am! kkkk

 

Well, i think now it's time...

[Justin Hunt]

A while ago I went to a mini seminar about marketing and the two bits of advice that stood out to me were, "point of difference" and "never stop marketing" , even if you have more than enough work.

 

The only bit of advice I can give is learn how to manage and grow a business, having a great portfolio is only a small part of the whole game.