Bobby Parker 2/6/15 Bobby Parker 2/6/15

Say goodbye to Net-30 payments

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We make sure you don’t have to wait for your clients to pay to run your business like you want to. Pay salaries, buy equipment, travel for business, and more. Peace of mind guaranteed.

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Bobby Parker 2/5/15 Bobby Parker 2/5/15

Incredible Architecture 3D Artworks

Daily, I check my online reputation and yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. Paulo Gabriel, over on the abduzeedo.com blog, listed some of my work as being incredible. Please, hop on over and check it out!

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Bobby Parker 1/26/15 Bobby Parker 1/26/15

McKinley Town Home Rendering

I am seeing a trend. Over the past several months I have had many comments about the need for high quality architectural renderings. It seems, high quality renderings are what is setting companies (developer, architect, real estate) apart. Now, there are a lot of things that set a company apart, but nothing more visual than a high quality architectural rendering. People, for the most part, don't get the low quality renderings; it makes you look like an amateur. People are very visual and technical talking, or a stack of 2d drawings, just cause confusion. Slide a low quality rendering across the table, no matter how much time you have invested, is an excitement killer; you can almost feel the air being pulled out of the room.

Above, is one of those case studies. The Architect had a rendering, which was done in SketchUp, but it lacked realism. Now, SketchUp is a very capable software and I have seen some nice renderings come from it. But it is so much more than the software you chose. Technically, it was accurate, but it was missing composition to hold the image together. If you don't get it right, the brain will know something is wrong, and the image will become a fraud or fake and be rejected.

Color plays an important role in perspective renderings!

Once you understand the color part of your rendering, you’ll be able to create stunning architectural rendering with ease.

When you're rendering recedes three essential things become apparent.

Background = Neutral (and bluish) and Foreground = Saturated
Background = Less contrasted and Foreground is = Contrasted
Background = Cooler and Foreground = Warmer
This is how the eye naturally sees.

“Oh my gosh! It looks like a real photo! This looks great!!”

— Real Estate Company

McKinley Town Home finally got to my desk, not by the architect or developer, but by the sales people, who have the job to sell! This sales department knew the importance of an awesome photo-realistic architectural rendering.

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Bobby Parker 1/23/15 Bobby Parker 1/23/15

Chicago Restaurant Architectural Rendering

What an awesome project to work on. I was asked to illustrate this restaurant, which is just a little outside of Chicago, Illinois. The design went through several iterations, but at the end, it turned out beautifully. Stay tuned, an interior architectural rendering is coming!

“It is not easy to win them over from other architects in this town! Your work is valuable!”

— Architect

It was hard to see the scale of the building, so I put a person. I also put the person, who is wearing dark clothes, in front of the light brick wall. I am hoping it brings the viewer to the entrance. There was too much foreground, so I added the cars, which have a motion blur, so they don't overpower the scene. Anyway, enjoy!

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Bobby Parker 1/14/15 Bobby Parker 1/14/15

What You Should Know About Taxes When You're a Freelancer

Becoming a freelancer doesn't just change the way you work; it also changes the way you manage your money. One area that requires special attention when you're self-employed is your tax filing.

This post originally appeared at MyBankTracker.

To be successful as a freelancer, you have to treat it like a business in terms of marketing yourself and how you treat clients. The same idea applies to your taxes, since you're solely responsible for making sure the IRS receives the right information. When I first started freelancing, taxes was something I only paid vague attention to since I wasn't earning that much to begin with. Over time, I learned more about how freelance taxes work and what follows are 10 rules every newbie needs to keep in mind.

You Can't Always Rely on 1099 Info

When you're working for a company as a paid employee, they're responsible for tallying up your earnings for the year. These are reported, along with the amount of taxes you've paid, on your W-2. As a freelancer, you're considered an independent contractor, which means you'll be issued a 1099 at the end of the year.

If you're relying solely on 1099s to tell you how much money you made, you're taking a big risk. It's always possible that a client could omit a payment or make a mistake in their calculations. If you file your taxes based on incorrect information, you could be in for a nasty surprise if the IRS determines that you actually owe more money. Keeping your own records is a smart move to avoid errors.

I use a basic spreadsheet to track my income throughout the year. Specifically, I make note of what the project was, which client it was for, the amount, the date it was invoiced and paid and my net earnings after any PayPal or bank fees are deducted. It's a fairly simple system, but it's proven effective. I once had a client send a 1099 that was short by several thousand dollars and thanks to my spreadsheet, I was able to pick up on the error right away.

The IRS will Know if You Don't Report Income

Underreporting or omitting income on your tax return is a major no-no and it's a mistake to think that the IRS won't catch on. For one thing, when a client mails you a 1099, they also send a copy to Uncle Sam so if you leave one out at tax time, your records aren't going to match up with what the IRS already has on file.

Even if you've got a client who's less than diligent in their record keeping, that doesn't mean you should take a gamble on not reporting your income. One year, I had two different clients who never issued a 1099, even after I contacted them about it. It added up to a nice chunk of cash and while it was tempting to just forget about reporting it, I made sure it showed up on my return.

Separate Accounts are the Way to Go

If you've been freelancing for a while and you haven't set up separate bank accounts for your business and personal spending, that should be at the top of your to-do list. For one thing, it simplifies your record keeping. You can easily see all of your income for the year and any expenses you incurred for the business without having to weed out what you spent on groceries or dinners out.

The other reason to split things up is to protect yourself in the event of an audit. If something on your taxes raises an eyebrow with the IRS, having separate bank statements for your business makes it easier to backup the information on your return.

You May Have to Pay Estimated Taxes

When you're getting a regular paycheck, your employer is responsible for making sure that the appropriate amount of tax is withheld. As a freelancer, you may have to make estimated payments four times throughout the year, beginning in January. These payments are designed to cover your projected tax liability so you don't end up with a big bill when April 15th rolls around.

Generally, you're not required to make estimated payments if you didn't owe any taxes during the previous year, you expect your total tax due for the current year to be less than $1,000 or your prior year's federal withholding is equal to 90 percent of what you think you'll owe. Be aware that if you don't make estimated payments through the year and you end up owing taxes when you file, you could get hit with a penalty for underpayment.

Your Tax Liability is Calculated Differently

Freelancers are responsible for paying income tax but you're also on the hook for self-employment tax. This is an additional tax that's designed to cover the Social Security and Medicare amounts that would normally be withheld by a traditional employer. For the 2015 tax year, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3 percent for up to $118,500 in income. The most you'll have to pay in self-employment taxes for the year is $14,694. That's on top of whatever you'll owe at your regular income tax rate.

There are Clear Rules for Deductions

The IRS has very clear rules on what you can and can't include as a deduction on your taxes. Calling the corner of the living room where your laptop is located a home office probably isn't going to cut it.

Generally, in order for something to be considered a deductible business expense it must be both reasonable and necessary. This can apply to things like a new laptop, business cards or travel expenses as long as they're incurred as a direct result of your freelance work. If you're in doubt about whether some qualifies, your best bet is to get advice from a tax expert or just leave it out altogether.

Records are a Must

Any time you plan to deduct something on your taxes, you'll need a receipt or other documentation to back it up and that's especially true when you're running a freelancing business. Collecting all your receipts in a shoebox is a way to keep your physical receipts in one place, but using a program like Quickbooks cuts down on the clutter.

The software has a lot of features that are appealing to freelancers, including the ability to sync it with your bank account, track your expenses, create customized invoices and pay your bills. The most basic version costs $13.99 a month but if you don't have the extra cash to spend, you can still keep tabs on what you're spending with a free app like Expensify.

Your Audit Risk May Increase

The words "tax audit" are enough to send a shiver down anyone's spine and while they typically only affect a small percentage of the population, freelancers may be more susceptible. Statistically, filing a Schedule C on your taxes makes you two to four times more likely to get hit with an audit. The odds of being targeted increase by how much money you make so that's something to keep in mind as you expand your freelance business.

You Have Retirement Options

Being self-employed has lots of perks but unfortunately, a retirement plan isn't one of them. Fortunately, there are several options out there that can help you build your nest egg while earning you some tax benefits.

For example, as a member of the Freelancer's Union, I'm eligible to participate in a solo 401(k), which offers higher annual contribution limits than a traditional or Roth IRA, along with the ability to deduct the money that goes in from my income. There's technically no employer match but I can chip in cash as an employer and an employee to the tune of $53,000 in 2015. Not only can I save for the future but I also score a tax break in the mean time by claiming the deduction.

Sometimes it's Worth Hiring a Pro

Filing your taxes can be complicated enough when you're dealing with W-2s and the standard deductions. When you throw in business expenses, estimated payments and self-employment tax, it can be even more challenging. If your freelance business has really taken off or you haven't been keeping the best records so far, paying a tax expert to handle things for you may be a wise investment.

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Bobby Parker 1/12/15 Bobby Parker 1/12/15

The Freelance Handbook

The second in our six-part series of practical manuals, The Freelance Handbook is your definitive guide to being your own boss.

New year, new start – right? If you’ve made it your new year's resolution to go freelance then you're in luck: there's never been a better time to be your own boss. With more and more employers outsourcing their work, and social media connecting you better than ever before, it's a great time to take the plunge into freelance waters.

But the road to solo success isn't always easy. So whether you're thinking about making the leap or are a seasoned freelance pro, pick up a copy of The Freelance Handbook – 116 pages of practical tips and essential advice for making it alone.

From setting your rates and managing your time to getting noticed, winning work and more, The Freelance Handbookbrings you everything you need to succeed as a freelance creative.

Chapters include:

Go it alone
Win more clients
Work smarter
Manage your money
Be more business savvy
Promote yourself
Well-being
Essential resources

The Freelance Handbook has sold out in print, but you can still buy an ebook edition using the free Computer Arts app on Apple Newsstand.

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Bobby Parker 1/11/15 Bobby Parker 1/11/15

Manufactured Home Rendering

Recently, I was asked to help explain the design intent for a semi-custom manufactured house manufacturer. The designer had some great ideas to give the manufactured home some curb appeal, but was lacking the ability to visually show the owners her design. Initially, the designer contracted some architecture students, but the illustrations were not successful.

Manufactured Home

Option 1

Manufactured Home

Option 2

Manufactured Home

Option 3

“This is absolutely amazing and so incredibly realistic! I am so excited!!!”

— Interior Designer

Also, along with the exterior, the designer had some ideas for the bedroom. See, most manufactured homes have the bedroom in the back, and the back isn't seen by most, so lacks character. In this manufactured home community, which is in Florida, the homes are located on a beautiful lake. The back of the home is on the road, and is seen by most, and needed some curb appeal. The challenge was, they wanted windows on the back, but they wanted to make sure that the bedroom has little natural light.

Manufactured Home Interior Bedroom Rendering

This was a fun project and I was extremely satisfied in helping someone convey their design ideas; that's what I do!

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Bobby Parker 1/10/15 Bobby Parker 1/10/15

Should you go freelance?

Have you ever considered going freelance?

Perhaps it’s something you’d like to try but you’re concerned about the financial risks. Or maybe you’re already taking freelance work ‘on the side’ and are wondering whether to take the plunge into full time freelancing.

In this video I share some points to consider, when deciding whether or not to go freelance. This advice is based on my own experience of moving from permanent employment, to freelance copywriting.

Visit my website:
http://gilbhub.com

Follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/hannagilb

My LinkedIn:
http://linkd.in/1vizL8F

@WorkHubs:
http://www.atworkhubs.co.uk

Got questions about the freelancing life? Or are you a freelancer who can offer some top tips? Leave me a comment or connect with me on Twitter @hannagilb
For more tips on copywriting and the freelance life, visit me at Gilbhub.com

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Bobby Parker 1/7/15 Bobby Parker 1/7/15

Watch The Designer's Pricing Class Trailer:

This class is a step-by-step guide to help you get paid what you're worth:

50 videos in five entertaining lessons that take you through understanding the market, learning how to price projects, acquiring the negotiating skills you need, and learning how to write a sexy proposal.
Five documents and templates such as a checklist for your first call with your client, a proposal template, a step-by-step guide on how to price like a pro and exercises you can do by yourself or with a friend.
Online tools to help you calculate your break-even rate and write a great proposal in just a few steps
Lifetime access to the class (including any updates) from any device, anywhere in the world
Your questions answered by the mentors
Bonus: 30% discount for Happy Socks
Bonus: Free 3 months of Studio account on Qwilr

The class will launch on January 13th, 2015 with 15% off for the first 72 hours.

We're giving away a free ticket!

If you want to win a free ticket to our awesome class, all you have to do is share our trailer (with the following link) on your Twitter/Facebook account:

http://youtu.be/Rx9uSYP-zL0?ref=info@bobby-parker.com

The winner will be announced tomorrow night on our Twitter and FB page.

Good luck!

- Lior Frenkel

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Bobby Parker 1/5/15 Bobby Parker 1/5/15

The Real Cost of Architectural Rendering

Russell L. Thomas

No matter what professional field you are in, inevitably you will be asked to provide or even justify the cost of your services. It can be difficult to give pricing while trying to make sure that what you are providing pricing for is what any competition is providing pricing for. In addition giving some context for your price and demonstrating that it is reasonable is often times necessary. If you are an architect practicing in Washington State you may show clients the published price surveys that would indicate where you where within the reported percentile and is a good litmus test of your fee structure compared to the rest of the market. In the architectural visualization profession there isn't any "defacto" standard and many studios are good at the old "Bait and Switch" to lure you in. One resource is the 2009 CG architect survey and the information could be interpreted as follows:

In a 2009 worldwide survey, performed by CGarchitect (most influential and reputable online magazine/community focusing on architectural visualization), the average price charged for a high-quality 3D architectural still image is between $1000.00 USD and $2000.00 USD. This is an average price you could expect that paying in this range as being fair for small to medium projects, large projects range from $3,000.00 USD onward depending on the project. While standard 3D animation costs anywhere between US$5000.00 USD and $10000.00 USD , you could expect to pay a fair bit more depending on duration and complexity of video. Obviously, every studio is different and prices vary, but usually the studios that are producing higher quality work, are charging more. If you have worked with rendering studios you probably know you can get cheaper renderings from countries like China and India, downside can be the quality control and all the time spent managing the process to get the results you want. The comprehensive survey on the profession of architectural visualization can be found here:

http://www.cgarchitect.com/2009/11/cgarchitect-2009-industry-survey-results---spotlight-on-the-future-of-the-architectural-visualization-industry

There are some firm hard figures on the monetary level of what are going rates by regions and it gives you a good idea how much you may pay in currency, but I would argue that the cost of renderings is also measured in your time and quality of the end result.

It's All Subjective:

I can say a rendering is bad and the average person off the street might say they see nothing wrong with it, so why should anyone care? This is the dilemma many potential clients face, bottom line is the all mighty dollar and if a cheap $500.00 rendering conveys the idea to the average person, why not just go with the cheapest artist/studio you can find? If it serves your purpose, it is hard to argue against it, and probably a waste of time to even try. So rather than argue the subjective, lets discuss the objective.

$500.00 vs. $1,500.00 Rendering:

The little guy in a foreign country using pirated software and hardware supplemented by their government doesn't have the overhead of a big professional studio. Obviously you can reverse the scenario and the little guy in our country using pirated software working from home has less overhead than a big studio in a foreign country, this isn't about foreign vs. domestic, just pointing out the more typical scenario based from my experience. So pricing doesn't necessarily denote quality so that $500.00 rendering is looking pretty good right about now.

In any case the little guy typically can whip out a rendering that is probably acceptable and you are dealing with an individual which a lot of people like. That $500.00 rendering can also come from a large studio that is basically a render mill pumping out renderings at a very fast pace by the use of hundreds of artist working for cheap, producing renderings via assembly line fashion. Down side is usually that you get different people of varying skill levels each time that studio provides services. What it can come down to is the big studio has back up artist to complete your project if initial artist gets sick or has an emergency comes up, but you aren't guaranteed the same artist working for you from project to project. So at this point there really isn't much mentioned here that helps a potential client make better decision.

For an American company seeking artist specializing in AEC, choosing an American artist/studio who has a strong foundation in our construction industry is a huge bonus in the long run. If you go with someone who doesn't have a strong architectural background you will probably need to assign someone in your office to coordinate with them and this cost you money and adds up real fast. There is also the whole English as a second language which can sometimes make communication less than accurate. Now that $500.00 rendering starts costing a lot more.

Having someone who knows National materials, construction techniques and building codes is very beneficial, saves lots of time for the Client who doesn't have to hold their hand every step of the way. Little things like handrail balusters spaces greater than 4" apart or curbs greater than 6" high can make a rendering appear incorrectly and steal the viewers attention trying to figure out what doesn't look quite right. So a trained professional who charges more can actually save money for the client and more importantly can save a lot of heart ache and revisions.

Selecting an artist/studio by their online portfolio can be difficult for multiple reasons, so if in doubt ask for a reference. There have been plenty of situations where online artist/studios have been called out on stealing others work and showing it as their own. Another item that isn't illegal but questionable is that there are companies out there that sell readymade scenes for people to render and put in their portfolios. The scenes are sold for this purpose, so nothing illegal, but artist/studios are using content not created in-house to pad/build their portfolio, the work doesn't represent what they can do and is misleading. There are also plenty of cases where an artist was a small part of a team and they go off on their own and show the work as their own. So be careful if the work seems world class, but the price is ridiculously low and they can't provide a referral or two.

What it comes down to is finding the artist/studio that is knowledgeable in your industry sector and who has a body of work that you respect and a point of contact that you feel comfortable with at a price point that is in your realistic budget. No simple answers just some things to think about, we have found that there are some fantastic artist/studios in China and the old Soviet Union countries like Serbia or the Ukraine, so it doesn't mean you can't go outside the country to find great reliable talent, just do a bit of homework and make sure you aren't going to do a lot of hand holding for a final product that isn't acceptable.

In conclusion the real cost of architectural renderings may not be the bottom dollar but the end result and your "hassle free" time. And after all on a multimillion dollar project, is a few thousand dollars too high of a price to pay to represent you and your project?

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