Specialize

Contemporary requiremnets of the building industry call for many types of drawings.  A final presentation drawing may have been proceded by dozens of quick sketches that are never seen by the public. Many renderings are for communication use only rather than for display or publication. Other are concerned with telling stories directly and simple suggestion, through quick sketches rather than by painstaking detailing.

In an age of specialization, it is unlikely that any single artist could be proficient in all the wide variety of subjects and techniques included in the field of architectural illustration.

[caption id="attachment_249" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Bridge Sketch"][/caption]

bridge sketch

Drawing Ability

All of us are born with a certain degree of drawing ability. In some cases, talent is pronounced early enough to surface and be recognized at an early age. It's possessors, with proper training, progress naturally and easily into architectural illustration or some other form of art. Some illustrators may not realize their potential. They have to be shown how to visualize objects as simplified three-dimensional forms. They must discipline themselves to observe certain rules of composition, perspective, and technique. With practice, persistence, and constructive criticism, they can soon learn how to produce creditable architectural renderings.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?

Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration.  

Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

Child Daycare

Here is an image, on the board, of a daycare.  The architect is proposing to bring a historic building back to life, and convert it into a daycare.

7 Essential Red Flags to Watch Out for in New Clients

Working with clients is one of the most difficult parts of being a architectural illustrator.

It is a challenge which we face each and every day, regardless of whether we work in-house, as freelancers, or as agency owners.

Some clients are great, while others leave us tearing our hair our and wondering why we felt the need to subject ourselves to this line of work.

While some problems with clients can be put down to poor communication by both parties, many times we can identify clients which are going to be difficult before we even start working with them.

You can read the article here

Legal Title

Legal title doesn't refer to the name of a rendering but rather who owns it. Say a client sees your 3D rendering portfolio, falls in love with your work and commissions you for a $1500.00 rendering, and gives you a deposit on the spot (with cash, no less). The second she gives you the money, your client become the owner and title "passes" from you to her-that is, if she pays you the full $1500.00. In the real world, of course, few people pay right away. And if you're partially paid (deposit) she gives you $750.00 now and plans to pay you another $750.00 in a month - you only keep title to the rendering for as long as you actually hold on to it (that is, keep it on your server or wherever). By letting your client take the rendering, you're giving her title to it - even though she hasn't fully paid you! She still owes you $750.00, but you don't own the rendering anymore.

It is easy (and lawful) to get around this default title rule. All you have to do is state on your invoice:

Ttitle will not pass until payment is received in full or Paid in full upon completion.

This makes it clear that you are not letting your client become the owner of the rendering - even if she's already received the file - until she's paid for it in full.

Another straightforward way to prevent title passing before you're fully paid is to keep the rendering, or watermark it, until you're fully paid.

Value your work:

Newer 3D artist often undervalue their prices out of humility or overvalue them in light of the tremendous amount of work and passion that went into them. To minimize these tendencies, you have to separate the value you place on your 3D renderings from its final price. What you think a 3D rendering is worth should factor into its price you want for it, but there are other factors, too.

REAL OR FAKE?

Do your eyes deceive you? Take a look each week at 5 new images and guess whether they’re real or fake. Better yet, submit your own and you could earn some props. Try it out!