Architectural Visualization is now way more popular than ever. It help speed up the approval process, boost marketing efforts, improve the accuracy of the design, predict possible problems, and reduce costs in various ways.
However, it is always a challengeable task to find the right ArchViz studio. One glitch in the collaboration, the whole project could be ruined. It is not only an exhausted experience taking care of it, but also might cause time issues when the due is near the corner.
Today, AIMIR is glad to share 10 qualities some of the best ArchiViz studios share. If you’re on the way looking for your ideal ArchViz studio or 3D artists, this is the right article for you.
1. They are Consultants Than Visualizers
An ArchViz studio has to be a professional visualizer first, which means they need to have the ability to visualize your design. But is this enough?
Our answer is no. It is important for an ArchViz studio to answer the clients’ requests by creating the visual content needed. On the other hand, it is crucial for them to understand their clients’ design from an ArchViz specialist’s perspective and give comprehensive and constructive suggestions when needed.
The challenges are always there. It is the ArchViz studio’s job to find the best solution for the task at hand. Please read this blog for how AIMIR, as an ArchViz consultant, gave suggestions: How did AIMIR Turn a Single Sketch into a 3D Rendering?
2. Keep Learning New Things
Being an ArchiViz specialist, there will always new software and designs that will push ourselves out of our comfort zone. This is why an ArchiViz studio has to be open to learning new things all the time.
CGI industry is a field where new technology and skills keep coming up. You will be fell behind with the industrial trends. A good CGI studio has to spend a lot of time and money updating and learning the latest industry trends, skills and software.
This is not enough. Because the industry keeps changing all the time, a true professional ArchViz studio invest time in exchanging experiences, knowledge and skills with other industry experts.
3. Have Artistic Sense
Given the time and resources, almost anyone can learn to visualize, or model, or render. But creating a 3D visualization work is more than just studying software, learning to model, and mastering post-production. It will be totally a disaster if your 3D visualizer has no artistic sense at all.
There’s a special mental side to creating 3D visualization works that deals with voice, style, color, and story. How to make a scene story-telling, which the viewers will be sold by its design, idea, and content? This is the core to an ArchiViz studio.
There is a typical case study at AIMIR and now we’re happy to share it with you: 3D Rendering Consulting Services: A Mixed-use Project in New Jersey. It specifies the process how AIMIR help an architect fine-tune the building and change the view to make it more appealing.
4. An Impressive Portfolio
Online portfolio is mostly used today, and are like show-and-tell for professionals. Let alone an ArchViz studio who makes a living from images. To stand out in this tough market, it’s important to make the online portfolio as impressive as you can.
When browsing a portfolio of an ArchViz studio, it gives insight into what quality you’re expecting, what styles you may choose from, and the details. Yes, pay great attention to the details of the works, you will truly know if this studio is the one you’re looking for.
You’re more than welcome to browse AIMIR’s portfolio here..
5. Always Technical-Oriented
Visualization is about technical skills. An excellent ArchViz studio has an advanced understanding of all trending software, various skills, and latest industrial information.
Of course, architects and designers today have impressive knowledge of 3D modeling and even rendering software, which in turn, drives a good ArchViz studio swallow new knowledge and skills to survive.
Thus, it is very clear that technical-oriented ArchViz studios are highly exposed to the latest skills and software. And they are the team you should look at.
6. Great Communication Skills
Dealing with an ArchViz studio who is trying to bring your design to life, communication is the thing you must confronted with. It is completely different to communicate your concept and idea to someone involved in the project than designing by yourself. Thus, a successful ArchViz studio must have excellent communication skills.
Unlike what most people think, visualization is not only about design and image. It’s a much wider process that requires the ability to deliver the thoughts and understand each other.
That’s why communication is an essential skill every good ArchViz studio should have.
7. Have Comprehensive Workflow
No doubt, workflow can help streamline tasks, minimizing room for errors, and at last, increasing overall efficiency. However, these all work on the premise that the workflow is feasible and flexible.
Imagine that you’re working with a visualization team now on one of your projects. You want to modify a simple thing in 1 of the 5 renderings, but the result turns to be all 5 views are modified.
That is a typical case of failing to have a complete workflow. A good ArchViz team will not have it. Under clear communication, a healthy and comprehensive workflow will keep repeatable tasks and back-and-forth within a reasonable amount.
AIMIR is proud to have our workflow which wins a lot of “Easy to work with” praise. If you’re interested, please check it here: AIMIR’s Working Process.
8. Have Approaches to Challenges
Visualization is a form of art based on the design and a mix of skills. In most of the projects, deadline is a key issue that keeps pushing the limits of the ArchViz team.
That’s exactly in turn keeps pushing the team confront with various challenges and tasks. Not only the deadline, but also other challenges are out there when visualizing architectural projects.
If the 3D visualizing team you’re currently working with apparently are not able to handle a reasonable deadline or a simple modification, they might not be an ideal team to work with for your project.
9. Patience
Visualization takes patience. From modeling, setting light, to placing a tree, adding people, patience is the key to a successful work.
Most projects start from modeling, where sketches, site photos or CAD plans are used. In these cases, the modeling process takes great patience. Of course, more complex designs needs more patience, especially there are limited materials provided.
Everything could happen during an approval or construction process. ArchViz studios should be aware of this, and be well-prepared to meet any possible change of plan or design. The visualization works are changeable upon them. This is exactly one of the advantages of 3D Architectural Visualization.
10. Teamwork
Most of the visualization works cannot be completed by oneself. Visualization needs great time and patience and attention to details to make a satisfying work. So, you’re not working with someone. You are working with a team.
It usually takes years to master all of the visualization skills such as modeling, texturing, setting lights, and post-producing. In a good ArchViz team, they complement each other’s skills leading to a better work and a successful project.
This is why communication is crucial. Internal communication is a way to demonstrate the working habit of the team, which will in turn be presented on the final works.
Above are some of the qualities that successful ArchViz studios share. When you’re on the look for a visualizer for your project, please think about these traits and then make your decision.
AIMIR has been visualizing architects’ and designers’ unbuilt buildings since 2006. If you’d like to talk to us about your upcoming project or share your opinion on this blog, please feel free to contact us.