Question:: How to get new work?

[fabmedia]

I've been sitting here trying to drum up new work and I'm not too sure how to convice architects and manufacturers that using 3D is far superior to traditional media (illustration & photography), and prefabrication methods. I am a graphic designer, but it seems that I'm running up against brick walls. I'm wondering how to approach new clients.

Confused,
Arlen

[richpr]

I think you would get more eyes on CGTalk for your particular question... Or maybe some CG Architects site?

On the other hand, I think outlining the advantages and showing examples, for instance through your website, could attract customers. Aside from that, perhaps advertising in relevant media/sites could help get more work...

[fabmedia]

Thanks. Do you have a Architects web address that's handy. I'll start searching.

Arlen

[richpr]

I know this one ;)

CG Architect (http://www.cgarchitect.com/)

[fabmedia]

Thanks!!

Arlen

[ingo]

Hi confused Arlen,

your problem is of course that you have to show as a beginner how good you are in architectural 3D, especially since your not an architect. Maybe its good to start with an internship in an architectural office or offering testprojects for a lower price. So you can get a lot of feedback and exercise, that helps you to place your work better on the market. Since you are in Vancouver, how about architectura (www.architectura.ca), now owned by Stantec International. They have a large office and you maybe get a chance to work there and fill up with architectural knowledge, which is very essential.
And otherwise youre of course welcome at cg architects website and forum, especially because we few Lightwave users are a minority there ;-)

HTH

ingo

www.im-graphics.de

[tica]

Hi Arlen,

A few (11) years ago I stood exactly where you stand now. My country is very different from yours, so I don't know your market very well. But this has worked for me, and when I want to reach a specific new customer, it still does: You have to make a portfolio, either including actual projects you have worked on, or at least some essays that you might have done. Don't spare on your portfolio. It's very important, and maybe you can also print your best work on a couple of larger panels, with good finishing. Then I just picked the yellow pages, and started calling every architect's atelier in my city. I had to be patient, but I got several appointments. I took my portfolio and my panels, and simply presented my work. Arguments like the fact that 3D offers more for less money, and that it's always innovative, supported my presentation. Most of my first customers are still with me, and more have joined, and naturally a few have left. If you would like more suggestions, just post here. Maybe some of my ideas can help you. Good luck!

[fabmedia]

Oh definitely, I'm not an architect. I do have a bit of a portfolio from a couple of jobs that I did locally taking plans and making it a viable product to sell via advertising before the product was built (a prefab building). Some of it pertains to architectural drawings and others do not. But where I want to take them is to more effective way of presenting their ideas and concepts to their clients in the most realistic fashion as possible.

I did finish my package just earlier this week for mailing. But at $10 per pop, it's going to get expensive very quickly. I've thought of a way to create a stripped down version but it definitely would have less impact, but still show good work.

It's not just architectural jobs that I want though. I really do believe that I can cover a couple of other bases too. But it's just trying to find them. Manufacturer's product cut away illustrations and others. I don't really know if I'm going too wide, but business is so slow, I'm feeling a little desperate right now. So far I've had really good feedback with my "portfolio" package with the 3 I sent out earlier this week. It's just a matter of getting the cash flow happening.

Arlen

[tica]

I guess your market is not so different from ours, after all. Business has been slow for almost a year now, and that is not only in my field. Everybody I know that works in the design/architecture/video production/advertising area is complaining, and more than a few companies have shut down. Anyway, I'm sorry if my suggestions are not very useful to you. And it is of little comfort if I tell you that things just can get better, so hang in there... If you can keep yourself afloat financially, maybe you can even profit by using your spare time to learn some new techniques, try some new stuff. I'm doing well now, but the first couple of months this year were very slow. So it was the first time in years that I had time to experiment, to research and to study - which I love to do, but usually have to postpone permanently.

By the way: At this point, I got curious about your work. Could you post an image?

Take care.

[tica]

I forgot something else I wanted to tell you: whatever your business is, it's VERY important that you follow up on all the portfolios you send out, or else you risk that they are placed somewhere with all the other curriculums that companies receive by the dozens these days - or even land in the trash can. Even risking to be annoying, contact the companies personally, and try to get them into a meeting. That is the most effective way to find out what they need, apart from what you can already offer. I used to do only renderings and animations (not only architectural, but also for advertising), and I soon found out that many smaller clients wanted me to handle the outdoors, leaflets, presentation videos, etc., since they were not prepared to spend huge amounts with agencies. This opened a totally new branch of business for me, and now it's part of our standard offer.

Just be creative, talk to LOTS of people, and even if most of the ideas are junk (like mine, I guess), something might actually work.

Good luck!

[tica]

Just one more thing (yes, I'm annoying...): I don't think it's a good policy to start out with very low prices. That will make it hard to switch to reasonable prices later on, since customers will not understand why you raise your prices afterwards. You might attract more customers initially, but they will argue about your pricing later on, and maybe even feel cheated. This is just my experience in our market. I've never worked for (almost) free, and even some customers that chose another (cheaper) company, often returned later on, and stayed with us. I know this is hard to swallow at a moment when we all need work desperatly, and many competitors are working for almost nothing. But I've seen a few of those competitors closing lately, because they have no resources to handle a long recession. I stand better chances now, although I've been "punished" for my ethics in the past, sometimes losing jobs to cheap freelancers. I had profits back then, that I can use now. They have nothing.

But freedom of choice is a great thing.

[fabmedia]

Yeah. Slow is not the work to describe it. Where are you located, because here it sucks really bad. I cold called about 16 people today (yuk), and had managed to get meetings with 6 and interest in 3 mailings. Hopefully the $10 package will do it's job. The last real work that I created was this... http://142.173.125.22/landscape_web.jpg

It took a bit to do, but I think it's a good example of what I can do for them. There are others, but it'll take a bit to haul them out so if your interested let me know, and I'll prepare them for you.

INGO, this is the last version of the image. I didn't post it on the other message board yet.

Arlen

[riki]

Here's an urgent job here for that sort of thing. Even if it's taken, good to leave your contact details for future refs.

http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9596

[riki]

Also I sometimes get odd design jobs from places like liquidwit.com

[fabmedia]

Ah liquidwit... looks interesting. How did jobs work for you through the site? Any wierdness? Thanks for the lead with the job. I sent an email right away. I'll let you know what comes of it.

Thank you very much!
Arlen

[fabmedia]

One question... There is one firm that wants to see my work, now I have about 1.5 weeks before the meeting, should there be anything in particular that I should have for them to see? In other words create a specific image that would intrige them?

Arlen

[riki]

Their okay, you do the job and then get paid. But I don't get a lot of work from them.

[fabmedia]

ok. that's all I need to know. Is it lucrative or just pay the bills. I'm fine either way right now.

Arlen

[richpr]

Good stuff!

Actually, my wife and myself are in a similar position, where we've started our own company and are looking for ways to extend our services and portfolio. Lightwave can help with many things ;)

[tica]

I guess that if you don't already know what that firm's main interest is, you should find out. But that is too obvious, right? And of course you should focus mainly on their business, and if you feel really confident, maybe suggest some new approach to want they want to achieve. It's a bit hard to make totally safe suggestions, but I've learned that in the end, everybody wants the same: SALES. Plenty of sales. Let them understand clearly that your work is a valuable tool to help them sell more. It's not about how much your work costs, it's about the FACT that it is going to make them sell - whatever they are selling.

By the way, your work is very good. I know that there are plenty of people out there doing good work, in technical terms. But few know how to produce an image that is also artistically good. Yes, being an artist doesn't pay these days. So all I can contribute to is your ego.

Don't give up.

[fabmedia]

I have to say that I've only run into one really nasty person on all the threads that I've started, and I truely and deeply appreciate all the positive comments, suggestions and help.

Yes business is slow, but from what i understand the whole design and illustration industry is. AND for everyone that I talk to, nobody can put a finger on it. So I just leave to that. All I know is that I'm slow and I've got to get some work.

I did manage on Friday to land about 15 minutes of peoples time from 3 architecture firms, and a manufacturer. The manufacturer seems quite interested in cut-away diagrams of their product. What I told the architecture firms is that I'd just like to show them what I can do and talk briefly about how I can help them. The pebble is dropped. Now I just have to find others to call.

Arlen