(article previously published in August 2016)
A very important part of the success or failure of a real estate marketing campaign can be linked to the choice of the architectural visualization company.
The images and/or animation made by this company will be the basis of your communication.
When we want to close the most important purchase of our clients, the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, acquires all its value. I tell you nothing, if instead of images we talk about a video.
If I were you, I would look at these 5 key points:
EXPERIENCE AND PRICE
TECHNICAL AND HUMAN CAPACITY
SPEED AND FLEXIBILITY IN CHANGES
CLOSED PRICE AND BUDGET
THAT SOMETHING MORE…
1. Experience and price
It seems that this is a technical issue and that anyone who knows how to interpret plans and knows a program can do the job.
If you want excellent results, this is obviously not the case.
As in all professional fields, experience is a degree and must be paid for.
Better said, you must pay it. It’s all right .
You should not make your decision based on price alone. This is a common mistake.
Inexperienced people can get into trouble and create a situation that can have a very negative impact on your sales calendar.
“Something is expensive if it is not worth what it costs. If it is worth what it costs, it is a good investment.”
If you are thinking of commissioning an animation of your project, don’t do it with just anyone.
It is the most effective product for the sale that an infoarchitecture company can offer you and, at the same time, the most committed.
Check their portfolio of previous works. Do not accept promises. Verify previous results.
In that sense, having the social proof (testimonials) of other clients will allow you to make the decision with more security.
2. Technical and human capacity
3. Speed and flexibility in changes
For your peace of mind, you need a company that is technically sound.
Computers are getting faster and more powerful all the time. However, depending on the type of work, a simple computer will not be able to meet your expectations of speed and quality.
To make still images, you can find many companies.
To make animation, the number of options is reduced and, in this type of services, beyond stylistic and finishing considerations, technical expertise is fundamental.
A company can make great still images and not know how to do animation.
It happens with all programs, whether accounting or 3D:
the learning curve of the programs is getting shorter every day, which does not guarantee optimal results.
It’s not just the arrow that matters…the Indian is critical.
Value the versatility of the team.
If we talk about visualizing architecture, it is highly recommended that an architect is your interlocutor in the architectural visualization company.
Typically, projects are not defined to the level of detail you want your visualization to be.
To make good decisions in those information gaps, you have to have a capable team.
But you have a schedule you want to keep and, if there are last minute changes, there are, period.
The company you choose must have that ability to react almost immediately. But be honest. It is one thing for the company to have the capacity to react and quite another to take advantage of this virtue to keep asking for changes.
Don’t be inflexible on delivery time.
It is a pity that, because of this attitude, the final result is compromised.
The work of architectural visualization, although you may think otherwise, is much more handmade than automatic.
If the infographer asks for more time, do not deny him. It will be worth it.
4. Closed price and budget
When there is honesty on both sides, a closed budget does not have to be a problem. If each one, client and infoarchitecture company, accepts responsibility for the mistakes made, a closed budget can be established.
Condition it as much as possible to avoid last minute surprises. Only serious companies are capable of compromising with their client in this aspect.
Even if they are hard to establish limits, they will be more reliable than those that do not put any obstacle in this aspect.
5. That...something else
This is one of the most important and difficult to value factors.
It is that intangible something that an architectural visualization company offers and that distinguishes it from the rest.
It is probably a combination of the previous points and … something else.
The difference, that something that will make the images of your project memorable.
The nuances that will distinguish your promotion from the rest. That capacity of seduction you need to offer your project as something unique.
Very few companies offer that something extra. If you find it, you will repeat for sure.