A selection of servieces every interior designer should include in their standard offer.
Outsourcing digital work can take a massive weight off a designer’s shoulders. In this article, we are going to cover some very effective ways how Anna K Studio, a digital design service, can support your specialist projects.
1. Graphic design
Before we start working with any client, we need to send them a number of essential documents:
• our proposal, including some cost estimates
• some company information; for example slides about the team and previous projects
• a detailed scope of work for this particular project
To ensure you are going to win this client you need to impress them straight away. One way of doing this is by using professional and impressive templates. And this is where your graphic design experience begins.
I published a useful article on how to create a winning proposal on www.annakstudio.co.uk, where you can download a free template of the proposal.
After you won your client and signed a contract, one of the first steps is research and putting our ideas together. This is where you start creating mood boards, concept boards and colour schemes.
At Anna K Studio we have created a very efficient way to present concept boards to a client. You can find a blog post on this topic - again, a downloadable template is included.
2. Technical drawings
In terms of software, we use AutoCAD as it works well with 3D programmes. Also, it’s the most popular architectural programme, so any time architects send us a file we don’t have to convert to different software. Another advantage is that many furniture manufacturers work with AutoCAD. They always find it helpful when you share a digital source with them.
But AutoCAD is not the only software you can use. Click here to read an article on different software available.
3. Digital sketching
At Anna K Studio we sketch using Procreate, an app specifically designed for tablets. Once the programme is installed all you need is a pencil.
Personally, I find it easier and faster to draw on an iPad rather than on paper. There are many reasons why and here are some of them:
Environment: We are committed to going paperless. Sometimes this is quite hard to do, but Procreate makes it easy not to use paper.
Communication: Digital drawings are more user-friendly for online communication. It takes seconds to drop a sketch on your laptop or phone from where you can instantly post it on social media or send it to a client.
Reproduction: Should you need a printout, there are options regarding scale, different paper texture, quality and colour.
Ease of use: You can draw on the go without carrying paper and lots of pencils with you. It's extremely easy to edit or erase details or even a whole layer. You can create different layers and control your progress.
Speed: You can work much faster and you don't wait for layers of paint to dry before starting another one.
When it comes to working with clients, we have learned that the scenarios can differ:
If the designers we work with are not sure about the preferences of their own clients and if they don’t want to use 3D visuals from the beginning of the design process – then we use quite simple digital sketching. Visualisations will be linear or with a touch of colour.
Another scenario is when you want to create a beautiful final drawing of the interior for a client. This kind of work, in my opinion, is an art form. It will take more time than a simple drawing to create truly beautiful images. When this is done, it’s like a masterpiece, ready to hang on the wall.
4. 3D Visualisation
Designers have a lot on their plate. Between applications for permissions and the daily grind to bring in enough billable work to keep the lights on, the question often is: How can we find the time for the 3D process?
3D rendering and visualisation is probably the most useful tool for designers to show the world why design matters. Let me tell you why I believe that this part of the work should be delivered by talented and dedicated 3D design artists who live, breath, and sleep design rendering:
• First impressions make all the difference!
Freelancers are under pressure to make a living. They spend an enormous amount of time at their desks producing work. They are well versed in the software and overall technology in order to achieve the most impressive results in the shortest possible time. Often, there’s only one chance to impress a client or a competition jury with your design.
• Saving Money
Employing a rendering artist full-time, even when these services are not always required, is relatively expensive for a small or mid-sized studio. Rather than covering an annual salary, it is more beneficial to engage the services of a freelancer as and when required. In addition, 3D software is usually very expensive. You also need more than just a ‘3D builder’. You have to buy separate programmes, one where you build and another where you render. Then you need to know how to use these programmes, how to model furniture and elements, how to create textures and so on. If you can’t model yourself, you would need to buy a library of models. Bearing in mind that individual pieces can cost between 10 and 50 pounds, this would soon escalate the cost. At Anna K Studio we model everything ourselves. Any brand or piece you want us to include – we are able to create this.
It is quite clear now to everybody that 3D rendering allows you to alter the interior design process and to make it much more efficient.
At Anna K Studio we distinguish between two different ways of working:
The first method is the most common throughout the interior design industry. In this process, we [Anna K Studio] require a furniture layout, elevations, sketches plus the specifications of all items before we can start rendering. This information has to be supplied to us by the interior designers and it is clear that a lot of detail has to be confirmed before the visualisation starts.
With the second, more flexible method the interior designer creates an initial layout in CAD. We then use this to visualise plain walls in different perspectives. Following that, the designer sketches interior elements like furniture and décor directly onto these walls and also provides the specifications. This is where the experimental journey begins. In some ways this particular order is more efficient, because it allows you to experiment with ideas, add more detail as you go along anyou shape the project organically.
3D rendering applications create photorealistic images. But: what else can they do?
3D animation
The best way of bringing an interior to life is without a doubt a video experience. The term 3D animation means: presenting 2D digital objects in 3D. The purpose of this process is to make models even more realistic and exciting. When objects are created in a 3D environment, users have the ability to look at them from different angles and rotate them if they want.
At the same time, the term animation is closely tied to the desired state of realism that is associated with and achieved through movement. In 3D animation, objects come to life and the viewer can fully explore their form.
Even though 3D animation is used less than 3D images in the design, it’s still an amazing tool for marketing and organising your website. It is also very useful in industry sectors like property development. Some developers would not be able to market and sell their properties in advance without the help of these technologies.
At Anna K Studio we are very adept at using this technology and we’d be delighted to assist you with creating your first animated 3D project.
3D virtual tours
A 3D walk-through is a technology that allows users to view the interiors of buildings and construction sites in a very life-like manner. Potential home buyers can get a vivid impression of the concept as well as a sense of the interior design during a virtual house walk-through. One of the key benefits of this technology is that virtual tours enable the designers to edit architecture and make the necessary changes until the client is satisfied. It is a cost-effective solution for marketing these projects to potential homeowners.
3D 360 panoramas
This technology allows you to virtually explore one room at a time. It is particularly effective on a phone screen or tablet when you show the interior to clients. While holding the screen you can rotate it as you walk through the room. You are able to look up and down or turn around and you can also show screen images side by side with the real thing. For the upgraded experience, you can get inexpensive VR plastic goggles and use these together with your phone for even more of a virtual reality feel.
It also works on a computer, but you need your mouse to navigate the 360 experience. That way, it is not really portable and so it is less engaging.
Another advantage of 3D panoramas is their usability for websites: once you upload the panorama to a website, the joy-stick tool allows you to experience the room in 360.
If you are in interested in any of our services please complete the form here.
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