Being a 3D artist is no simple task, but the hardship of being one should not discourage you! If you’re talented and you have been working hard for a long time, you can cash in on your talent and on your hard work easily. There has never been more work that requires a good 3D artist than these days, in all sorts of fields.

With the evolution of technology, everything is getting virtualized in some way or another, and numerous businesses and their respective products need representation. With pictures falling a bit back, the spotlight lays in unique and interesting 3D designs!

Humans are highly visual creatures, so a quality design or animation can make a huge difference when it comes to advertisement, marketing, and a lot of other spheres of business. This is how businesses benefit from hiring 3D artists.

But, different businesses need different types of 3D artists that can deliver a specific product that said businesses might need. You can’t expect a marketing company to need detailed model design, and an architecture company to need that amazing falling animation you’ve thought of.

Different niches require different things, and the biggest contenders in the 3D design business are Architecture and Gaming.

As an artist, it is your duty to stay informed on the businesses you’re planning to work for and to know what skills you must master in order to do your job to the best of your abilities. Check out some of the differences between Architecture and Gaming below.

Architecture Designer

To be an architectural designer, you need to think like an architect. Architectural design is a fun and dynamic job that offers a very valuable service to the community. But architecture design is it’s own niche and demands its own specific skill set in order to master it.

As an Architecture 3D designer, your job is to represent the project you’re working on to your client. Your job is to make that 2D scheme a fully rendered 3D environment that is ripe for exploration and testing.

3D rendered designs are extremely important when it comes to architecture, as it allows the client to not only explore the environment that is going to be created in real life but also to observe it before it is constructed. Observing the project in a virtual simulation can give very important feedback regarding possible defects and improvements that need to be worked on.

Another part of the design when it comes to architecture is the ever-growing interior design business. Interior Design has boomed in popularity ever since the tools to create fun, beautiful, and comfortable living spaces and products have become virtualized.

An interior designer's job is to create a comfortable living space that follows the desired trend or style of the client. To be a designer in the architectural sphere, you really need some architectural knowledge, and interior design is no exception.

In order to best perform your duty as an interior designer, you need to know what goes best with what, and to employ your knowledge in practice.

There is different software that is used for different niches and designs. While some industries have their own specific tools and software, architecture design is one of these niches with its own software. Different clients might demand different programs, so be sure to learn as much as you possibly can!

Gaming Designer

Gaming is one of the biggest industries in the world, and there are many 3D designers who are willing to work on long term projects such as games. Game production takes a long time and is no simple job, so people tend to steer away from such constant tasks.

But if you’ve decided you want to give Gaming Design a chance, you’re in luck. There are numerous jobs a designer like you could do when it comes to the gaming industry. From posters, art, models, and cutscene animations, there are numerous different tasks you must complete in order to be considered a good gaming designer.

Each one of these subcategories of gaming design requires a specific skill set and a specific approach, so it’s nothing new to see a company employ several different game designers for several different tasks.

Using different software, you’re able to create everything from a short film for the game you’re working on, to very detailed models and their adjacent animations. There are people who are employed to create the world the game is set in, which is an often-overlooked factor.

The aesthetics of a video-game are just as important as the gameplay, and a game that looks unappealing is sure to flunk. There are numerous styles when it comes to video game graphics, and if you look hard enough, you can not only find a project to work on that you know but one that you can enjoy to the fullest. Styles are abundant and vast, and all of them have their place.

You need to have advanced knowledge of various video game design tools and Photoshop in order to be a contender in this extremely competitive market. Be sure to learn as much about programming, designing, and 3D modeling as you can, in order to stay relevant.

The Key Differences

There are a couple of key differences between these two popular niches of 3D design, and we’re going to list a couple of the biggest ones.

Software and skillset

The software you’ll be using depends on the niche you’re going to partake in. If you’re partaking in Architecture, you’re going to have to learn to use programs such as SketchUp or any other CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. Most of the software in this niche is mutualy comprehensive, meaning you can start your project on one program and finish it on another.

If you’re going with gaming design, things can get a little trickier. While gaming design is much more like design in general, with modeling and texturing heavily involved in the process, compatibility issues might leave you in a pickle. As long as you stick to the more popular software and make sure it sits well with your employer, you should be fine.

Application

The application of your work will be far different. If you opt for Architecture, your projects and designs are likely to be used either as a learning platform for future architects or as an actual project that is waiting to be constructed in real life.

Architecture design is a tedious and endless task, so your project might be used by other designers in order to give their own personal touch. 3D design of environments and buildings is also used in marketing for said project, and it is used heavily for this purpose.

On the other hand, gaming design is used only in the game or for marketing purposes. Gaming design is vastly different from architecture design. While architecture projects are always a work in progress and are subsequent to constant editings and redesigns, as a gaming designer, you will likely tackle numerous smaller projects and will have to finish each one to the best of your ability before moving to the next one.

Paycheck

The biggest difference between these two niches is the paycheck. Now, architecture designers receive a much bigger paycheck for their projects. That’s common knowledge. But why?

Well, both architects and gaming designers get paid for their hours, and architecture is far more time consuming than gaming design.

While with architecture, you’re going to get one big project that will take up a lot of time, as a gaming designer, you’re far more likely to be tasked with numerous smaller tasks that require much less time. At the end of the day, you’re left with a similar split between the two when it comes to money.

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The 3D design concept is a rising theme among all industries, many more than just Architecture and Gaming. Every single business is profiting from advanced 3D animations and gorgeously designed pictures, and if you’re thinking about giving the job a chance, you’re not going to regret it.

There is a lot of money to be made if you’re willing to put in the hours and effort. As with any business on the rise, you really need to pay attention to detail and constantly work on yourself to stay relevant in the growingly competitive market.

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