CGI ANIMATION STUDIO: HOW IT HELPS AN ARCHITECT BUILD A PERFECT PORTFOLIO

When potential employers or investors choose an architect to approach, the first thing they consider is the specialist’s portfolio. There’s a good reason for that — after all, how else they can be sure about the architect’s skill, experience, and professionalism? As such, a portfolio should be nothing less than outstanding.

But “outstanding” is too broad of a term. There are objective criteria that make a portfolio attractive to clients. First, it should showcase an expert’s proficiency with architecture design. Another good sign of experience in the number of completed projects — the more, the better. Lastly, the frequency of updates to the gallery. If a specialist manages to regularly upload new visuals of their works, the stakeholders will be more willing to cooperate with such a prolific and sought-after expert.

It might seem easy to nail these standards but it quickly proves to be quite the challenge. There are several issues that an architecture expert may run into. Architects mainly use photographs to fill their portfolios and sometimes add sketches and artworks as well. The problem with photography is that it can help only with finished projects so the expert has to wait for months or even years to take fancy pictures. Also, there might be NDAs preventing architecture professionals from using photos of their works. As for blueprints and artworks, they are not very viable since they can’t convey the whole potential of a property to a person without an architectural background. 

Fortunately, a CGI animation studio has a solution to these problems. 3D movies are a perfect material to fill portfolios with, for several good reasons. Curious? Join us as we explore 5 ways CGI animation services are key to attracting employers and investors!

Aside from NDAs, other things can prevent an architect from featuring photos of design in portfolios. Sometimes clients change their minds at the last moment before a project is approved, and construction doesn’t start. This leaves designers with no possible way to commission a photoshoot. Perhaps there are some issues with the construction which makes it difficult to take pictures of the finished building. These may be due to investors cutting the funds due to the global economic downturn, or rerouting the budget to what is, in their opinion, a more promising project. What can be done in difficult scenarios like those?

A CGI animation studio can create gorgeous digital videos showing the results of projects that haven’t been approved and constructed yet. 3D artists require just blueprints, sketches, and a script for creating a CG visualization of a building. As for the time factor, a professional CGI animation studio with large teams of specialists can finish a short CG flythrough video in about a month. This would make sure that the gallery will receive regular gorgeous updates.

Static shots may showcase the building from several POVs, but to really impress the viewers, multiple perspectives should be shown in motion. A dynamic walkthrough accomplishes just that and leaves the viewers impressed for a while. A CGI movie can also have a creative spin to it, such as a project timelapse. Finally, a CGI animation studio can provide virtual tours that give a bit of control to the viewer, such as rotating the “camera”, as well as zooming in and out. This kind of immersive experience will sway even the pickiest of clients.

One of the hardest things to pull off for marketable portfolios is having them adhere to one style. This is important so as the viewers and potential clients don’t get confused with a visible discrepancy in quality and overall look of the designs. One might think of this as the author’s “handwriting”, of sorts. This is difficult or sometimes outright impossible to do with photos and sketches. Hiring a photographer is pointless if the building isn’t completed. As for the sketches, they vary drastically in appeal and lack photorealism. That can hardly convince future employers and stakeholders, who are looking for tangible evidence of potential returns.

Fortunately, computer animation in architecture can easily visualize unfinished designs as if they are already completed. On top of that, a CGI animation studio will make sure to present the buildings in all their glory. The project will be showcased within an appropriate context, bathed in gorgeous lighting, and with special effects in HD or 4K Ultra HD quality. And to help establish the author’s “signature” the 3D videos will look consistent in style and atmosphere. Portfolios featuring such gems will look very convincing for potential clients and investors.

What makes an architectural project special? How can it make its owners’ lives better and more comfortable? What would it feel like to inhabit it? It is hard to answer all these questions with drawings, graphics, and textual explanations. Even a sales pitch written by a professional copywriter will be of little help without breathtaking visuals.

This is where a CGI animation studio is an architect’s saving grace. 3D videos have huge visual storytelling potential. On top of being able to visualize unfinished buildings CGI animation can utilize cinematography techniques, such as dramatic POVs, panning shots, aerial views, and time-lapses. The place where the property is located would also be given life with the help of contextual elements: cars driving by, trees moving with the wind, people going about their daily routine, and so on. This would not just showcase the design, but tell a story about it with no words. Voiced narration can serve as the sales pitch, but is entirely optional — it’s all right there, on the screen. After seeing the rendition of the future house that is indistinguishable from the real outcome of the project the clients would want to live in it, let alone approach the author with new offers!

A prolific architect always has lots of creative ideas, but not all of them will reach the construction stage. However, a CGI animation studio can bring them to life regardless, and they would make for excellent portfolio filler. 3D movies allow architects to get creative with visualizing their ideas of exteriors and interiors. It’s possible to showcase buildings within any environment, at any time of day, at different seasons, filled with all kinds of furniture and decor. CGI animation gives architecture specialists a great opportunity to let their creativity loose and fill their portfolios quickly.

If an architect wants to attract new employers and stakeholders, he or she needs a proper, marketable “face” in the form of a good portfolio. A CGI animation studio can visualize designs that aren’t finished yet in a photoreal way and motion as if shot with a drone. The gallery filled with 3D movies will look consistently gorgeous, making viewers instantly recognize the author’s style. And CGI doesn’t just show the exteriors or interiors — it tells a story without words. And the cherry on top — with CGI animation an architecture specialist isn’t bound by real-world issues like weather and location difficulty, letting creativity loose in the CG video.

Want to bring your designs to life without having to wait for them to be built? Create a perfect portfolio that attracts clients and stakeholders easily with the services of our architectural animation studio!