The Importance of Architectural Visualization and Choosing the Right CGI Company
Why is Architectural Visualization important and how you should choose the right service provider?
Architectural Visualization is the art of creating still images or sequences of images showing the characteristics of a proposed design. In this age of lightning-fast response rates, it is more important than ever for architects to provide clients with a clear idea of what is to be built. The techniques and the process vary, but a computer-generated image aims to improve the design and increase the marketing value. The most important aspect of CGI as a design and communication tool is that they are very reachable to clients or the public who often struggle to read technical architectural drawings. They effectively communicate design intentions and have no language barriers while visually stimulating the design process and providing a better spatial understanding. It also helps people understand the cost that would be involved as well as the time it would take.
Table of Contents
The Right Architectural Visualizer
Architectural visualization is a necessity to successfully reach out to a wide audience. But architecture and design companies, of every size, must carefully choose the right outsourcing partner for their visualization needs to properly communicate with clients and attract more buyers. It is essential to hire the right company or person who can deliver visuals exactly as per your requirements at cost-effective rates.
Technical Skills and Portfolio
Look for a comprehensive portfolio. A portfolio can help you determine not only whether the artists have the right skills and taste, but also show the level of quality that can be expected at the end of the job. Make sure the company’s website shows clear consistency in the quality of their work and the tools used in producing the images
Architectural Background
There are many 3d artists, graphic designers, or visualizers in the market of architectural visualization. However, being an architect has numerous advantages in providing architectural visuals or developing designs. Being able to understand complex plans, sections, diagrams, and complicated technical data is the most important benefit. Effective communication with architects or other disciplines such as civil engineers, mechanical engineers, lighting, and landscape designers that work together with architects might require some terminology knowledge as well as an educational background. Having total control over concepts and details of architecture and design is a must to accurately visualize an architectural product. How colour and light behave on structures, and what a human eye can perceive in space and time are what an architect also artistically pursues in his/her designs and visualizations.
Artistic Approach and Experience
3D Visualization is not only achieving a photo-real representation of a proposed building or space. That would not be more than a technical illustration or simulation. You should master the fundamentals of art, principles like the rule of thirds, the golden rectangle, the rule of odds, colour theory, etc. Describing the project with technical accuracy is not enough. You need to make people desire whatever it is that you are proposing. Look for a company that has an approach to visualization as art, willing to create inspiring images. All great visuals are born from the artist’s collective memories, experiences, or observations. Be sure they have enough experience.
Support During Design Stages and Communication
My experiences and research show that clients prefer a feedback loop with the visualizer even after the initial design options have been narrowed down. Input received from test renders helps the decision-making more fluent which is not always possible due to imposed time constraints. Clients may wish to refine their designs before the final product and they shall get several chances to make decisions before the final product. There will be many conference calls, screen-sharing sessions, flow of e-mails defining the design process. Not many studios include support on stages of design because of either a lack of professional background in architecture or the choice of providing only result visualizations of a finished job. Try to find a company that provides support to its clients during the design process and even after the submission of a job. The interaction between the 3d company and the client happens throughout the entire development process. If your visualizer keeps sending you draft visuals for you to mark up via email or asking questions about some gaps in the design, you are most probably working with a pro.
Speed and Fast Response
Ability to react quickly to design changes but maintaining the quality is as important as quality and price. Clients may have to revise their designs due to several reasons and expect the visualizing company to be flexible. This requires not only a proper visualization skill-set but also relevant management skills
Beware of Very Low Prices
Finally, be careful with the individuals who offer you a very low price for CGI or animation, especially if you are going to present that visual to a client. You may end up with a poor result and possibly no time for any other options.
Denizhan Olmez
Director-AD ArchViz
