As an illustrator, I started my career acquiring skills in fine arts. An experience in the study of traditional painting, drawing, design, and color theory is what can give you the edge you need to stand out among the talented illustrators in this industry. Today, many artists still offer traditional paintings or drawings, but these are quickly being replaced with high-tech computer rendering and 3D modeling.
By also studying CG Illustration, you can find ways to simulate hand-drawn or watercolor paintings, as well as create more realistic visual images. After learning 3D modeling and animation, I studied undergraduate courses for an architecture degree and worked for a builder. Here I learned technical drawing skills and construction methods. This is very important to understand the construction process and terminology so you can read plans and communicate with architects, builders, and real estate agents.
After working for architects and building developers for several years, I opened my own independent design studio. These entry-level jobs gave me hands-on experience working with city public officials, real estate agents, talented designers, and on-site building developers. Being able to communicate and understand the needs of these key professionals was an invaluable skill in learning what was necessary to open my own studio.
Now I can serve the needs of other industry professionals primarily from my computer, while only visiting certain job sites or clients for very specific large or detailed projects. One of the main skills I had to learn outside of school was the ability to communicate the benefits of what architectural illustration can do for others to gain the interest of clients. Students can often focus solely on the details of their craft by honing their artistic and technological skills, and this can easily distract them from the network which is incredibly important in attracting clients.
It can be incredibly challenging to find work if you are unable to communicate and market yourself to the professionals who need your services. Because this is a highly specialized field, anyone interested in pursuing it as a career must learn to pass on everything they have to offer to others. Architectural illustrators must inform their clients how these skills can earn them more money and increase sales.
Additionally, the expansion of sustainable and “green” building methodologies has created another large market in search of 3D modelers to help explain how new technology works through renderings and animations. Various industries in related fields are also seeking the skills of 3D modelers and technical illustrators for furniture, medical and retail design.
Overall, architectural illustration is a very valuable asset to the industry. It’s a specialized niche to belong to, but it meets a specific demand from a forward-thinking industry striving for a lighter footprint on the environment. Regardless of the economics being good or bad, visualizing a project promotes better communication, more efficiency, and less waste in the construction process. It is invaluable for “green” construction and, more importantly, for survival in a tough economy.
