Well I think we can all agree that black and white floor plans are a stunning way to communicate with a potential purchaser.

Why not differentiate yourself and create a visual that portrays the space in a way that purchasers can actually see themselves living in it. Call me crazy but this is the largest purchase of their lives so let’s give them something that helps make a more informed decision.

One more thing. These types of renderings have had significant price drops over the last few years so now is the time to revisit and see if this fits within your marketing budget.

Sincerely,

Brad Jaycock, V.P.

888.439.4633

…well almost nothing.

For all you designers, architects and idea people, spectacular visuals can be created from pretty much anything. There aren’t any differences in the end renderings or animations just how you get there. Obviously receiving finalized CAD, material samples, room finish schedules and sample boards are the optimal choice BUT with a few extra approval rounds, frequent communication and your creative sketches, illustrations, mockups, etc. The same results can be realized.

After 12+ years in the business we have the experience to work from pretty much anything, under any timeline and for any budget. If we can’t do it in the timeline or price (see recent condo rendering pricing here) you need, which rarely happens, we’ll tell you upfront and in some cases recommend someone who can accommodate you.

A great example of a project created entirely from sketches, reference photos and imagery, and plain old discussion is Dubailand which we finished last year. Our client came to us with a grand vision… and by working from minimal finalized materials we brought that vision to life with stunning results.Check out the project here…

Communicate your vision to your client, bid, prospect, municipality or committee with visuals that stir confidence, awe, appreciation and understanding not confusion, questions, fear and misaligned expectations of what the final outcome will be.

Jim Warren, CEO

I get asked this allot so I thought I’d post it here as it is even more relevant in today’s economy.

Most people expect me to say “do it all in 3D don’t build models” … WRONG … You should always build at least one Model home unless you are doing a heavy pre-construction marketing campaign (build registrations, create a buzz, test the market, etc) … the old adage that what you build you sell is to a large extent true and I feel that the ability to touch and feel a home is essential in closing a sale.

What I would recommend is to definitely build fewer and use the money you save (see below) to have at a minimum 3D floor plans or even better have 3D interior/exterior animations done. Here is why:

Model Home

Costs/model: $40 - 60K Interior Merchandising & Design, Cost to build carried until model sold, security, landscaping and maintenance, utilities, $2k in photography for collateral.

Benefits: Ultimate way to communicate builder quality, great experience for families to visit for everyone to connect with a design (if that design is built), provides a great location for sales environment if no sales center/trailer built, allows the sales team to watch/listen to prospects as they are touring the home(s) … if they are touring with them.

Virtual Model Home

Costs/model: $6,000 - 10,000 depending on size

Benefits: Leverage the animations to get renderings from the interiors and exteriors and use all of this content on your website, in emails, print for sales center, billboards and Direct Mail, test the market before committing to construction, satisfy the need that your purchasers are looking for…that rich media experience.

There are so many more advantages to this but none more compelling than what you will save by building ONE fewer model home will pay to have ALL of them at least in 3D Floor Plans if not all fully animated which will give you a much better online experience which will give you better traffic to your sales center which … i think you can handle the rest

Jim Warren, CEO

Let’s face it there are several hundred companies out there right now all saying they are #1 in the renderings/animation industry, all of which are banging on your door saying “look at me and my wonderfully pretty images”. At first glance you can easily bring the number down to what looks like 50 qualified firms. Upon further review I’m sure you will find that the number of qualified proven VR Firms in North America is somewhere between 5-15 (and even fewer that handle the deliverables AND content…most are just content) depending on your vertical. Here are some questions to ask yourself when bidding out your next project…

What is their track record?
Does their portfolio reflect multiple projects over several years? A qualified vendor may cost a little more on the front end but will no doubt save you thousands in lost time and resources during the production of a project. The reason you may be getting a “deal” could mean many things i.e. they upcharge during production, few staff (longer timelines), their proposal leaves something out or of course quality.

Who have they worked for?
Doing VR for one custom home in Muskogee, Oklahoma or a new church in Bismark, North Dakota is a little different than a 1200 home master plan or urban infill project in a major market. Make sure they can handle the workload that you will be entrusting them with. Another thing to keep in mind is if their portfolio only shows condo/multifamily and you are developing a single family home project then I would ask to see something similar in scope to your project.

Where does their specialty lie?
If their portfolio shows print renderings only and you are asking them for renderings AND animation keep this in mind………

Number of Images to make up a rendering: = 1
Number of images to make up a 2 minute animation = 3600

A still rendering for print may take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours to “render” a final image. Therefore if you have a change and need it quickly then not a huge problem for a “Renderings” company. An animation frame can take anywhere between 15 -45 minutes to render. Mutiply that by 30 frames per second of animation, 60 sec per minute and you can see how an unqualified firm might get in over their head quickly. One change in an animation may take several days to render even with a rendering farm of 20 computers……….. If the firm does not have full rendering farm of cpu’s then you are asking for numerous delays and will need to purchase plenty of Aspirin!

Ask about the production process?
Their process should outline when you will approve architecture, when you will see preliminary images for comment, when you will be seeing revised images, how many rounds of comments, what constitutes an extra charge during production etc etc. If this question draws a blank face from the sales person…….RUN! Without a standard production process they simply won’t hit your deadline or any critical dates along the way.

Brad Jaycock, Vice President
Imagenius.com Inc.
888.439.4633

These are in order of importance.

1. Reduce your marketing budget by 50%! You can/should leverage the animations for all your renderings for your website, brochures, direct mail, wall art.

2. There is no better way to communicate a sense of community or neighborhood.

3. Show select animations on your website. Create an emotion online NOT just a message. What would generate greater pre-launch registrations? A few paragraphs and a logo on a website? Plans and
Renderings? VR of the community, amenities and/or model home?

4. The price is finally dropping (much like websites have).

5. You can build fewer model homes. A model home costs 100 x more than an interior animation.

6. How are you going to stand out and be remembered after a family tours 5 sales centers?

7. There is no better way to generate interest for people that are too far to visit your sales center.

8. It’s alot easier to revise an animation or rendering than a topo table or traditional hand rendering.

9. Create and communicate a consistent vision of your community through narration.

10. A picture says a thousand words…how much does video communicate of your unique selling proposition.