Who are 3D Artists in Architecture and What They do

No matter if you are looking to become a 3D artist and work in architecture or need the services of one, you need to know what to expect. It can help you save a lot of yours and someone else’s time. On top of that, you will get a better understanding of whether you want to become a 3D artist or not.

The worst thing is that many people mix up 3D artists with architects. To prevent this from happening, stay a while and read more on 3D artists.

3D Artists Make Architecture Visualizations

So what do 3D artists do in architecture? Some people say that they design, others say that they fiddle around in programs doing nothing, etc. Well, they make visualizations. Their goal is to form digital images that represent the future.

Visualizations are 2D and 3D animations or images that present and display how a particular design looks. In architecture, these visualizations are focused on architectural designs of the interior or exterior.

The purpose of these visualizations is to help architects or clients see how some property or building will look when it’s finished. 3D artists always try to deliver as realistic renderings of these designs. Their goal is to showcase as much detail as possible – furnishings, lightings, exterior, proper scale, and even the surrounding area around the structure.

These visualizations look impressive and immersive. Every 3D artist wants to impress everyone with their representation of a structure. In this digital era, people want to see how their properties would look before the construction has even begun, and 3D artists enable this through visualization.

Not All 3D Artists Work in Architecture!

This is the part where a lot of people get confused. I must admit, I was confused about it as well. 3D artists work in a variety of industries. Simply put, not all of them will know how to do their work in architecture. Yes, the fundamentals of their jobs might be similar, but it’s not enough.

There are many things involved, and specific industry knowledge 3D artists need to have to do their jobs properly. So if you’re looking to hire a 3D artist, first make sure to check their area of specialization. Some of the most popular areas 3D artists work in are:

AR and VR

Both augmented and virtual reality are changing the world. They are affecting various business industries and professions and can be used in any industry. When it comes to 3D artistry, AR and VR are used together with 3D modeling in gaming, architecture, and various design fields.

They let clients walk through properties that still aren’t built, play VR games, or check out products in a parallel reality. 3D artists can help someone create AR or VR, and some even become full-blown VR artists.

The Gaming Industry

3D artists are also very common in gaming. Games need to have good visual art to attract players and keep their attention. With a lot of modern games, the design is the main selling point. That’s where 3D artists come into play.

Marketing

3D artists that work in marketing work on promoting products, services, and brands. They create designs for advertisements and try to attract the attention of potential clients. They might work on 3D commercials, billboards, digital designs, AR, or anything else.

These are just some of the industries 3D artists are working on. The critical thing to remember is that 3D artists aren’t strictly tied to architecture.

They Work Using Different Software

All 3D artists use some sort of visualization or rendering software to do their work. They don’t use any pen or paper. Everything about their work is done digitally. That’s how they can create such realistic visualizations and represent architecture design in its purest form.

At first, 3D artists will learn all of their work on a single piece of 3D software, but over time, as they get experience and knowledge, they expand their software skills. Simply put, the more different programs a 3D artist uses, the more versatile they are in general.

All these tools they use have a similar principle. It’s only about mastering the interface and learning where all the features are. When someone masters a single software, they can easily apply that knowledge to another computer program.

3D Artists Need to Multitask

3d Artists aren’t just artists. Their work combines both the creative and technical side. 3D visualizations bring many different types of art together. They bring crafting skills into the digital realm, including sculpture, painting, photography, and even filmography.

For example, it’s impossible to do 3D modeling if you don’t know sculpting. Sculpting gives 3D artists the foundation and understanding of complex forms through their dimensions and proportions. Modeling is the equivalent of this type of art only in digital form.

But at the same time, they need photography knowledge to present these models the right way. They rely on different shots, lighting, and angles to make their visualizations stand out and leave the right impression on the viewer.

Naturally, a 3D artist doesn’t have to be an expert in all of these forms of art. However, they need to have substantial knowledge of them to apply them to their work.

Becoming a 3D Artist Requires Proper Education!

Yes, some 3D artists don’t have any formal education for their work. But this is a small number of people who pioneered this position and used their vast knowledge to become 3D artists. Today, this is a popular job position that has a clearly defined education path.

In most cases, 3D artists need at least a bachelor’s degree from some of these areas:

-          Fine arts

-          Animation

-          Graphic design

-          3D Modeling

Apart from education, companies are looking for people who have good technical skills and an excellent portfolio. Various master’s degree programs can only complement this knowledge and help artists grow further.

These programs are instrumental because they let people learn about relevant subjects that they can later apply to their work:

-          Web design

-          Typography

-          Motion design

-          Illustration

-          Digital video

-          Modeling

-          Sculpture

-          Graphic design

-          Model anatomy

They Often Have Specializations

Even though 3D artists have a variety of skills and knowledge, they still have their primary specialization. For example, modelers specialize in 3D modeling, render artists focus on 3D rendering, and animators specialize in 3D animation.

3D visualization also requires skilled use of imagery, interior design, and architecture. When it comes to architectural imagery, the artist needs to know how to create large scenes and realistic backgrounds. Each 3D artist specializes in a particular part of their work, but they combine different skills.

When it comes to 3D artists in architecture, they specialize in modeling to create striking representations of furniture representations and the interior and rendering to present a project truthfully. They are technical but creatively-minded professionals that use 3D visualization knowledge and organized workflows to create excellent representations.

Throughout their careers, they are continually developing their skills and perfecting their craft. Ultimately, a single 3D artist expert can create the whole visualization or render on his/her own without anyone’s help.

3D Artists Need Creativity and Technical Knowledge

The name “3D artist” simply implies that the whole role is about being creative. However, it’s equally essential for an artist to have technical knowledge as well. Earlier, we mentioned that education is vital.

That’s where people can get the necessary technical knowledge to execute projects from top to bottom. Having an artistic mind and understanding visual concepts is a good thing, but without the technical knowledge, an artist won’t be able to create them flawlessly.

But at the same time, having only technical knowledge isn’t enough. After all, these are digital artists who need to know how to create astonishing representations of objects, models, and images. Visualization needs to be technically accurate, true.

However, at the same time, they need to let viewers imagine how their home will look in the future. It needs to spark imagination and show all the potential of that property.

They are Always Learning New Things

When it comes to art and quickly-developing digital technologies, there is no limit. Everyone is after perfection and creating the best possible digital imagery possible. 3D technologies are evolving quickly, and new trends are being introduced each year.

That’s why architectural visualization experts need to learn continuously and expand their skill sets. Simultaneously, within the community of 3D artists, there is a constant search for new, perfected 3D models and photorealistic textures.

As a 3D artist, you always have to work on your skills and learn more. If not, they can easily fall out and lose to their competition. Furthermore, the industries 3D artists work in are also developing and need to keep track of those improvements to do their jobs correctly.

3D Artists Don’t Design Projects

One of the biggest misconceptions about 3D artists is that they design architecture projects, which is entirely wrong. That’s what architects do. Visualizers always get a finished project delivered to them. Based on these designs, projects 3D artists create visualizations and renders.

Whenever you see a 3D visualization understand that the artist didn’t design the project. The architect created it, and the visualizer only transferred it into the digital realm with advanced imagery.

Simply put, the idea was made by someone else. The visualization part is on the artist, as well as adding some decorative elements that don’t affect the technical aspect of the project in any way. They don’t decide how a project will be changed – all of this is up to the architect.

3D artists just execute their ideas to perfection. In some cases, they can consult with architects on potential issues and changes if they have a background in architecture and can notice flaws in the design.

They Work Alone but Need to Communicate With Others

3D artists get their projects from architects in most cases. An architecture company or a client contacts them to do visualization for them. They get the whole project with all of the details involved. Then they go to work and start visualizing the entire building, property, or any structure.

Initially, they have to consult with the architect about the project and learn any crucial specifics. From that point on, they work alone. Once they are done, they present their work to the architect, clients, and all stakeholders involved.

If everyone is satisfied, the job is done. If not, they need to make the necessary changes depending on how the design is evolving.

They Don’t Have Any Construction Knowledge!

Once again, 3D artists are mixed up with architects regarding the construction knowledge they (don’t) need. Architects need to have the fundamentals of construction to create sustainable, reliable, high-quality, and safe designs.

On the other hand, 3D artists don’t need this knowledge. Everything they need to know is to read an architecture project and understand it to its fullest. They have to create a digital visualization that will truthfully represent that project.

Understanding building laws, construction codes, or public interest doesn’t help them do their jobs better in any way. If you have questions about construction, ask your engineer or architect, don’t bother the artist.

Conclusion

3D artists in architecture are technical and creative experts who can create powerful imagery of different structures. Their job is to showcase the project in the best light possible and make everyone understand how the property would look in reality before construction has even begun.

We hope this post has helped you understand what these professionals do. No matter if you are looking to become one or hire someone’s services, this will help you save time and avoid misunderstandings.