Preparing a clear and comprehensive brief is key to ensuring that your 3D visualization project is a success. When embarking on a 3D visualization project, whether it’s to showcase a new product, visualize an architectural concept, or create a virtual environment, the importance of a well-prepared brief cannot be overstated. It serves as the roadmap that guides 3D artists and designers in transforming your ideas into stunning visual representations. In essence, a well-crafted 3D visualization project brief is the bridge that connects your vision to the final, tangible outcome of your project. Although we have existing briefs for Rendering, Animation, and Virtual Reality, a comprehensive introduction is always better. So, in this article, we’ll explore the art of preparing a clear and effective brief for your 3D rendering projects, assisting you to communicate your goals and expectations effectively.

 

Creating a Project Brief for 3D Rendering Projects

 

While there’re differences between projects, the following things are critical before creating a brief and starting a 3D rendering project. We divide them into two parts: before the brief and crafting a brief.

 

Before Creating a 3D Visualization Brief

It’s essential to take several preliminary steps to ensure that you have a clear understanding of your project’s goals, requirements, and constraints. So, before formally crafting a 3D rendering brief, you need to go through these points:

 

• Define Your Objects

Start by clarifying the primary goals of your 3D visualization project. What do you hope to achieve with the visualizations? Are you looking to showcase your structure with its surroundings, or you just need the render of the structure itself? How many renders do you need? What parts do you want to showcase in the walkthrough? Understanding your objectives and scope is crucial for guiding the rest of the brief.

 

• Identify Key Parties

To identify key parties in this project, you need to take time to thoroughly go though each party and define if they are involved. 3D architectural visualization is a team work, so it comes with great results only when each party collaborates. In general, key parties involving in a 3D rendering process are the architects or designers, owners or stakeholders, project managers, and 3D artists. In all, coordinating these parties will bring your project a better and more efficient result.

 

• Identify Target Audience

Determine who the intended viewers of the 3D visualizations will be. Knowing your target audience helps tailor the visual style, complexity, and content to their preferences and needs. Different audiences may require different approaches, so this information is vital. For example, you’re using 3D renders for getting approval from the city council, or you may looking for boosting sales with the help of the real estate 3D renderings.

 

• Determine Your Budget

Establish a budget for the project or, at the very least, a budget range. This information helps you gauge the scale of the project and what resources are available to you. It also informs your selection of 3D artists or teams to work with.

 

• Set Project Deadlines

Determine a solid deadline for your deliverables. It allows sufficient time for revisions and adjustments. You’ll never neglect any emergencies during the 3D visualization process. Meanwhile, the deadline gives the 3D team a clear picture so that they could arrange each stage of the project. But if you don’t have a clear due date, at least provide the team with a roughly time range so that they can better arrange the project.

 

• Select a Reliable 3D Visualization Partner

Once you’ve the above things in mind, it’s time to choose a 3D team for your project. If you don’t have any recommendations or existing partners, research and choose a 3D visualization artist or team with the skills and experience necessary for your project. Consider their portfolio, reputation, and client reviews to make an informed decision. If you need any advice in selecting a 3D rendering service provider, feel free to check on the 10 Dos and Don’ts in Architectural Visualization and 10 Best Rendering Companies in the World.

 

Creating a Project Brief doesn’t Have to be Complicated

Now you have everything sorted, it’s time to create the brief. There may be a gap on information and material needed between projects, such as exterior rendering, interior renders, or animation projects. Despite the differences in each project, we summarized the following information that you’d better include in your ArchViz project brief:

 

• Design Drawings

No matter it’s conceptual sketch or 2D drawings, there must be some design drawings. As you can image, the workload increases as the degree of completeness of the design files. The more design information you can provide, the more specific your idea can convey.

 

• 3D Model (If Available)

As stated above, the more detailed and concrete design files you can provide, the quicker 3D team can start the project. As a result, a 3D model is the most ideal file. If you or your team is capable of creating 3D models for your vision, it will save the CG team plenty of time and possible cost.

Please note that a 3D model doesn’t mean the 3D specialists can use it straightaway. They may be in different format and need further editing based on the future 3D view.

 

• Surrounding Context

If you’re planning to have 3D exterior renderings for your project, there is a great chance confronting with the surrounding issue. What context should you choose for the scene? The surrounding context is vital for the final results because it is part of the scene. In fact, there are various ways to deal with the surrounding. If you have no idea which is the most suitable for your project, please refer to this guide: 4 Typical Methods to Dealing with Surrounding Context.

 

• Landscape References

Although interior visualization may have a glimpse of the outdoor landscape sometimes, this particularly comes to the situation where exterior renders are created. The detailed landscape design files can help 3D artists understand the surrounding terrain, vegetation, and other elements in the scene. Providing landscape references no doubt accelerates the 3D rendering process. Here are some Tips for Crafting Realistic Landscape Rendering and Introduction and Best Software to Use.

 

• Mood / Atmosphere References

A 3D render is pale without mood. The mood defined the overall tune of the 3D scene, and tells its story to the audience. 3D artists need the mood references for adjusting the lighting and post-production. Thus, don’t forget to add the mood references in your brief. How to select mood for your 3D render? Here is A Comprehensive Guide for Setting the Mood in Architectural Visualization.

 

• Material and Texture Board

This is critical for any types of 3D visualization project. You need to provide the materials and textures for your design, no matter it’s for building façade or living room wall. Here is the shortcut: instead of providing descriptions of materials, it always works faster by offering the proper name, type, and link of the wanted material.

 

• View / Camera Angle / Storyboard Selection

For still images such as exterior, interior, aerial views, you need to think about that camera angles to use to showcase your vision. This is important because the view may determine the overall language of the structure. The guides of How to Spotlight the Projects by Different Camera Angles and The Best Camera Angles for Your Exterior Project may push you on your view selection decision-making. Otherwise, you can ask for the 3D artists’ suggestions.

 

Each project is unique, and is created with the help of multiple parties including architects, 3D artists, investors and other related professionals. In order to achieve the best possible results, each party should collaborate positively. So, no matter you’re using 3D rendering services or doing 3D visualization by yourself, think carefully what you should prepare to maximize the project result.

 

Conclusion

 

Today, we summarized what a project brief needs for an architectural visualization project. By taking these steps before creating your project brief, you’ll be better prepared to provide comprehensive and accurate information to the 3D team. This upfront preparation enhances the chances of a successful project that aligns with your vision and meets your goals and expectations.

Having a project brief already and looking for a reliable 3D team? Order AIMIR’s 3D visualization service now to fly your vision. Our 3D exterior rendering services, 3D interior rendering services, 3D architectural animation services, and 360 virtual house tour services are your powerful solution for selling your architectural project.