#Architectural Animation?
7 messages in this thread
Thanks for your informative advice. Sad to say, those 'big guns, the
firms that have the budgets and need to stay out in on the leading
edge' are few and far between here in Alabama. We would have to go
to somewhere like Atlanta to hook up with companies like that, but
there are already animation firms in places like Atlanta. Our whole
purpose was to make the same graphics that the 'big guns' use
affordable and attainable by the small to medium firms in medium size
cities here in Alabama and the southeast.
Hi Brandon,
I wouldn't be to sure about the lack of "big guns" in your area. You're
between a big space center (Redstone at Huntsville) and the state capitol.
I should think that there are few high profile firms in that area.
One thing that I forgot to mention in the first message was that I've had
people from the Rock Island Arsenal and Corps of Engineers in some 3DS
courses, so don't overlook the Redstone Facilities Engineers Office or your
local Corps of Engineers.
Also, many large industries have in-house architectural departments that may
be very receptive to visualization services. So don't make the mistake of
only looking at firms listed under Architects in the yellow pages.
Remember that the main difference between an in-house corporate architect and
an architect in private practice is that the corporate architect probably has
money to spend. <BG>
Good luck,
Steven
>>Also, many large industries have in-house architectural departments that may
be very receptive to visualization services. So don't make the mistake of
only looking at firms listed under Architects in the yellow pages.
Remember that the main difference between an in-house corporate architect and
an architect in private practice is that the corporate architect probably has
money to spend. <BG><<
Very interesting point! Do you have any particular insights into which types
of companies would tend to have in-house architectural departments?
And thanks for your input!
Regards,
Brandon
DesignTec
Brandon,
Just about any organization with a large physical plant is likely to have an
in-house architecture or facilities department. Now, you probably won't do
well with manufacturing companies unless they have corporate offices in your
area. You want to look for oganizations that have a high public profile and
regularly invite the public onto their premises.
Good examples of this type of client are restuarant chains, retail chains,
and financial organizations (banks and S&L's). Granted, you're not likely to
snag McDonald's as their corporate office is here in Chicago <g>, but smaller
regional chains with maybe a dozen stores would be worth looking into. The
key is that you are looking for businesses and organizations have have an
investment in real estate and who must manage that real estate in a public
atmosphere. Almost any time that one of these organizations wants to build a
new project or remodel an existing site, they must wade through numerous
reviews and public presentations. The better and more persuasive the
presentations, the more time and money saved in garnering the required
approvals. That's a big part or your sales pitch.
Also don't forget public intitutions and local government. A public
hospital here has an annual construction budget in the million$$$. They keep
a couple of architectural firms busy as well as performing a large amount of
work in-house. All of these projects require presentations to staff, the
Board of Directors, state agencies, and community awareness groups. The
facility engineers office is very receptive to any idea that will smooth out
these presentations and speed up approvals.
This is all very much like the advice that you've received to "go after the
client rather than the architect". I am just trying to point out that many of
the best clients will have architects on staff and that's the department you
want to sell to.
Steven
Hi Steven,
Thank you very much! We have been pursueing those types of businesses, but
not nearly as strong as we probably should. Your comments have spurred us (and
hopefully others listening in on the thread as well) to consider those avenues
more seriously in the future as we all strive to establish this profession
solidly in the economy and in the minds of the public, for the benefit of
everyone involved.
Thanks again,
Brandon
DesignTec
This is a good point:
>>… they must wade through numerous reviews and public presentations.
There are more communities, it seems, implementing some kind of
aesthetic restrictions, expecially impacting color, signage, parking,
etc. Chains, esp. fast-food, have to show that they can do their
thing in a more subdued way than their typical outlet. This would be
an excellent application to market 3DS services towards.
>> Our whole purpose was to make the same graphics that the 'big guns' use
affordable and attainable by the small to medium firms in medium size cities
here in Alabama and the southeast. <<
When you refer to the "small to medium size firms", it sounds like
your talking about the architects. That's the mistake!! If their
are architects in your town doing a decent amount of work, YOU need
to find THEIR clients!!! You won't be nearly as busy as you could be
if you try to market your services through/to the architect.