Architectural CGI helps many specialists achieve their professional goals easier than before. It allows architects to efficiently pitch their designs to investors and fill portfolios with top-notch imagery of projects that aren’t finished yet. And for realtors and developers, 3D visualization provides the ability to sell unfinished properties by showcasing their potential to prospects. However, regardless of the goals, getting high-quality CGI means working with architectural rendering firms. And to get the most out of it, the specialists need to know specifics of the process. The latter starts with finding the right company and formulating the task.
So, how to do this right? There are five steps architects and realtors need to take before starting to cooperate with a 3D architectural rendering company. It will help to select the perfect contractor and ensure that the entire task flows smoothly. So, this time we’ll go through the most important steps that need to be done before outsourcing 3D visualization projects. Join us to find out how to make the most from working with architectural rendering firms!
#1. Check out portfolios and reviews
Conducting research on rendering firms before choosing a partner is essential, but what exactly should a prospect focus on? It is important to review not only the company’s website and social media profiles, but also independent sources where the studio is mentioned and discussed. These can include industry forums, blogs, and other professional platforms.
It is also useful to look into the previous projects of a CG visualization studio. Past work gives a clearer picture of the company’s experience and reliability. If an architectural rendering firm has collaborated with well-known brands, this is usually a strong indicator of a solid reputation.
If the reviews in outside sources have convinced a prospect that the architectural rendering firm is trustworthy, it’s time to examine its portfolio. It’s a good sign when a CG visualization studio’s website showcases numerous high-quality renderings of different types — exterior and interior, virtual tours, 3D floor plans, 3D animations. If a company demonstrates examples of interior 3D rendering services alongside complex commercial exteriors, that’s a strong indicator of versatility and expertise. Also, a potential client should find out if the company has experience with works that are similar to their project. For example, if the architect needs 3D renderings for a future factory, it is reasonable to look for the commercial design 3D visuals in the portfolio.
#2. Have a look at guarantees and discounts
Before the start of cooperation with a CGI studio, a prospect should check if it offers guarantees and discounts. Professional architectural 3D visualization services firms take data safety and reliability of work seriously. Ensure your exterior design project leaves a lasting impression with photorealistic 3d exterior rendering that highlights every architectural advantage. Also, they strive to build long-term relationships with their clients. This is exactly why good architectural rendering firms provide their customers with guarantees and discounts.
To secure the sensitive project data, architectural rendering companies offer their customers to sign NDA — non-disclosure agreement, which prevents any information leakage. Also, firms offer guarantees to ensure the quality and timeliness of work. For instance, ArchiCGI offers an “on time or free” guarantee, meaning that if the work is not delivered by the agreed deadline, the client receives a full refund. Discounts are also available for large-scale orders, with the exact amount depending on the type and number of CGI solutions requested.
Ensure your exterior design project leaves a lasting impression and takes your clients’ breath away with stunning visuals.
#3. Evaluate the quality of communication with clients
Quality communication is the key to effective work with architectural rendering firms. If communication between the client and the project team breaks down, mistakes become inevitable, the deadlines are likely to be pushed, and the final result will probably be unsatisfying. But how to make sure that the communication with the selected studio will be efficient?
When choosing among architectural visualisation firms, a potential customer should pay attention to response time, the competence and politeness of client managers, and their level of English. One of the important questions to ask during the conversation is whether the studio has a CRM service or not. CRM is a convenient feedback tool, and every good CGI firm has one. It is used not only to access project managers 24/7 but also helps both sides to stay on the same page with all data — progress milestones, corrections, documents, and notes. For projects that require an immersive presentation, it is also worth checking if the team can provide virtual tour and 3d rendering to give clients a realistic experience of the property before construction is completed.
#4. Choose the right type of 3D visuals for the task
3D rendering firms offer a wide variety of CGI types. So, before ordering 3D rendering services, potential clients should decide which type will suit their project’s needs best. 3D rendering comes in different formats — still images showing exteriors and interiors, 3D floor plans, architectural rendering animations, virtual tours.
The task is to choose the best architectural rendering companies for this particular set of CG solutions.
In the case of 3D interior and exterior renderings, the name speaks for itself. These images are used to show the external and internal parts of the future buildings. Such imagery is a great choice for filling a specialist’s portfolio or presenting designs to clients and potential investors. However, to make an absolutely killer presentation, it is reasonable to opt for 3D animation — a photoreal 3D movie showing the future design in motion.
3D floor plans and virtual tours are another two products of 3D rendering firms that are worth precise attention. A 3D floor plan is a still CG visual showing the future property in section from a bird’s eye view. It is helpful to understand the relative position of rooms as well as examine the furniture and decor inside them.That’s why working with a specialized 3d floor plan rendering service is a smart move for architects who want to present layouts with maximum clarity. And in the case the architect or realtor wants to give prospects an interactive experience, they should go for a virtual tour. With modern solutions in virtual tour and 3d rendering, potential buyers can walk through the property online and experience the space as if it were already built.
#5. Prepare the necessary references
Providing references is crucial for efficient cooperation with architectural rendering firms. 3D artists need refs to understand and accurately recreate the architect’s vision. So, what do we mean by references?
These are drawings, sketches, photos of the future’s property location, examples of materials and details that will be used in construction, as well as of furniture and decor. Also, references can be of the “inspiring” type — a collection of visuals that convey the idea of how space should look and feel. All these materials help 3D artists to create CG visualization that perfectly reflects the vision that an architect has in mind.
We hope his brief guide to architectural rendering firms was useful. So, now you know that architects and realtors should always research their potential CGI contractors — their work quality, experience, and reputation. 3D rendering firms need references for work, so it’s important to prepare them to ensure the best outcome possible. It’s also vital to know that there are lots of CGI types, so one should carefully choose the right option for the task at hand. Finally, communication is the thing that makes or breaks the projects — so it is needed to make sure that customer support is top-notch and a 3D visualization company has a CRM system.
More useful details on choosing between freelancers and 3D visualization companies of different scales, creating a brief, and selecting the right solutions are gathered in our architectural rendering guide.
Get your project estimated in just 1 hour - fill out this brief!
Want to fill your portfolio with gorgeous visuals that paint a vivid picture of your professionalism? Want to sway investors with ease during design presentations? Or to sell unfinished properties more successfully than ever? Get stunning 3D visuals for any of these goals with 3D rendering services!
Chris Kostanets
Senior Project Manager, Mentor
Chris manages the work of 2 CGI teams and teaches Middle PMs. She loves Scottish landscapes, Ancient Greek culture, and Plein-air painting. At home, Chris is a caring parent for 3 cute chickens and a magnificent rooster.
Comments
Victoria Addington
Kelly
Irma
Nick
Nikhil
Helen
Tony
Matthew
George
David Jacobs
Caroline Thompson
David Mills
Richard
Bradley
Gregory Brown
Russell