Your job as a 3D artist is to transform design concepts into fantastic, immersive, and attention-grabbing imagery. Before you decide to get your visual materials for any professional purposes such as advertisement, portfolio, or project presentation, there are some things you should keep in mind.
Modern architecture companies are looking for something more than verbal descriptions and drawings. You need a new and more effective way of showcasing your design ideas. Nowadays, both companies and clients demand more from 3D visualization as it offers so much more than the drawings or sketches.
They demand endless options of textures and colour shades, a wide variety of backgrounds, different angles, and unbelievable realism. Before you send your application and expose your architectural visualization services, there are some common things architecture companies require from 3D artists that surpass just your ability to create the most amazing pieces of digital art.
You can be a creator of visual masterpieces. Still, if you go unprepared for a job interview, you'll miss a chance to establish a mutually beneficial and productive collaboration with some architecture company.
With that in mind, here's what you should know about some standard requirements these companies insist on before hiring.
The majority of modern architecture companies work at the intersection of various creative techniques and professions. They prefer combining technical routines with artistic features. Therefore, the ideal candidate is required to be able to fit in, as this is a highly multitasking environment.
Many companies will also require experience in sculpture, painting, and photography simply because 3D visualization requires all these types of knowledge. Many companies insist on following trends, and one of them includes converting crafting skills into multiple forms of digital art.
For example, sculpting and 3D modelling are inseparably linked. To be able to depict complicated forms realistically, you have to understand dimensions and proportions. When it comes to photography, it gives you some understanding of how different types of shots, lighting, and angles work.
The highest quality multimedia content requires terrific 3D animation and video editing skills. Think about using vibrant filters, dynamic transition effects, and captivating shortcuts. The richer the combination of your knowledge, the better.
It's all about presenting the project in the most appealing way. You need to be able to convey the ambiance. Be one step ahead of your employers and show them your skills, knowledge, and experience by providing advice when needed.
This is probably the first thing modern architecture companies will require from their new employees. A 3D artist has to be well informed about the latest software in the industry. Most 3D artists are used to working with different professional software.
The more software tools they use, the more qualified specialists they are. The tools for 3D rendering are many. There are tools for graphic design, drawing, animation, sculpting, modelling, 3D rendering, and so on. Pretty much, the entire 3D visualization industry depends on the latest and most innovative technologies.
You, as a 3D artist, have to be a bit of a techno-geek to fit this description. Having vast knowledge of professional architectural software will only increase your chances of getting the job of your dreams.
This also helps you stay relevant and move with the times in your line of work, which is extremely important for staying competitive in an ever-changing, highly competitive landscape like architecture.
Some 3D artists mostly use Corona Renderer, V-Ray, Revit, and 3ds Max. Each program has its unique compatibility with various plugins, its learning curve, and its toolset. The truth is, these features impact your tools, speed, and workflow. This is essential, especially if your job includes specific tasks such as creating animation, architectural 3D renders, or 3D modelling.
As a 3D artist, you never really stop learning, and companies prefer candidates that are prone to accepting such a concept. Since your industry is continually evolving, you have to be prepared to grow with it.
Architecture companies are fully aware of this fact, and they'll only go with top talent that is ready to advance, learn, and develop according to their business culture and requirements.
Knowledge has no real limit, especially in an industry where business success depends solely on using updated 3D technologies. 3D artists are required to evolve through constant learning. This allows them to gain new professional skills.
Moreover, those candidates that express their thirst for knowledge and readiness to evolve are more likely to find and explore new 3D models and photorealistic textures. This sort of enthusiasm is what modern architecture companies are after.
The most advanced plugins, high-end toolsets, fool proof scripts, and other vital assets; these are are essential to be the best of the best. Learning new things is critical to self-improvement, and this can be a real career boost.
Most architecture companies look for team players. 3D artists are rarely required to work alone, as many companies work on complicated, large projects. That's why the majority of studios need 3D artists that can seamlessly blend in with other 3D experts.
There are three essential things that studios worry about: tight deadlines, faster work execution, and multitasking. The business model for architecture companies usually includes organizing specialists and artists into teams.
Each team has a team leader or a mentor who sets the standards and gives instructions for each project. Each individual is required to give their best to make their team thrive.
While your contribution matters, there is no I in TEAM. You are required to do what you are responsible for, no more, no less. If you can find solutions on your own that fit this description, it will also be highly appreciated.
It's even better if you share these solutions with other team members. Many job interviews for architecture companies include tests where you'll be required to imagine working as a part of a team.
Mutual benefits strengthen the bond between employees, and they promote a healthy company culture. Working as part of a team shows that you're ready to make an effort to improve the results but, most importantly, that you accept and know how to share responsibility.
3D artists are required to have a specialty. This is paramount as every 3D artist has their main specialization. To become a specialist, you have to be able to combine different skills.
Animators do 3D animations, 3D rendering artists do 3D rendering while modelers are into 3D modelling. The same goes for product 3D visualization.
If you want to sell product 3D visualization, you need knowledge of the right advertising approach to the imagery as well as various forms of design. When it comes to architectural 3D imagery, 3D artists are mostly required to create large-scale scenes and immersive, photorealistic backgrounds.
If your job requires you to make floor plans and layouts, you'll need some engineering knowledge and drawing skills. Since modern projects include several types of 3D visualization services, you'll have to combine your skills and experience to provide what is required.
Architectural rendering and visualization are in a very narrow and specific niche. 3D artists are required to understand rendering, animating, and modelling in the digital space, but they are also required to have at least the basic knowledge about designing and constructing buildings.
The more specialized you are for the job you're looking for, the bigger the chances that you'll manage to get it.
Architecture, especially the modern form of it, is a vast and complicated field where science and art meet. It is as wide as it is deep, but the most important thing is that it's continually moving forward, advancing, changing, and evolving.
What was in yesterday is out today, and 3D artists are required to be open to that good old saying "in with the new, out with the old." With so many architecture companies all over the world, only those 3D artists who can live up to the challenge and fulfil all requirements will succeed.
Young professionals from all over the world are looking for excellent opportunities to apply their skills and show their worth. Architecture is an extremely competitive business environment, so the more skills and knowledge you have, the better for you.
These are the most common requirements that modern architecture companies look for in new candidates, and we hope they will help you find your path.