A Design Briefing Example to Improve Rendering Process

Last Updated: 4 months

Efficient Communication, Stunning Results:
How a Project Brief Improves the Rendering Process

In our previous article on whether to outsource your 3D rendering projects or not, we discussed how outsourcing can significantly save time and energy, especially when you don’t have sufficient knowledge and expertise in 3D visualization. In this article, we will guide you through the process of outsourcing a 3D rendering project to a 3D Archviz studio step by step, including a free checklist of what to include in a 3D rendering project brief for smoother communication and rendering process.

Table of Content

What is a 3D rendering project brief?

An uncertain brief could result in less efficiency?

Why is an architectural brief important?

Design Briefing Example for Exterior: What to include? [HOT]

Design Briefing Example for Interior: What to include? [HOT]

A checklist on how to write a project brief for 3D rendering [HOT]

What is a 3D rendering project brief?

Also known as a 3D rendering technical assignment, a 3D rendering project design brief is the compilation of drawings, inspiration, documentation, and visual references that can be used to help the 3D rendering company understand your concept and expectation. It is essential that the 3D rendering company is supplied with all the information possible, and that the data is of good quality. If the brief is not complete or not detailed enough, it will result in further questions, as the rendering company renders the building according to the design file you provide. Thus causing an inefficient rendering processing flow. The more detail you provide, the closer the rendering work can be to your expectation. Read on to see why a project brief is important for CGI rendering and see the comprehensive design brief example.

An uncertain brief could result in less efficiency!

Whether it is an interior rendering brief, an exterior rendering brief, or the entire project brief, not providing a comprehensive project brief can have detrimental effects on your rendering timeline and the budget. With a less detailed brief, the 3D rendering service provider has to continue asking questions before starting the project thus extending the turnaround time.

And if the architects reevaluate their plan and make critical changes to the technical assignment, the 3D architectural rendering service provider must re-render the building again. Depending on various details, such as how many camera angles there are and the resolution of the rendering, the rendering company will have to review the brief, modify the 3D models, re-render the images, and redo post-production. If the project consists of multiple views, it will add lots of work to the rendering process: the redo work will have to be done for each of those views. And if that happens more than once, it will lead to extra fees once the free revision quota is used up. 

Why is an architectural brief important?

Having a proper and inclusive brief will allow the rendering company to:

• quote you a more accurate price;
• a clear idea of what the final rendering should look like;
• fewer questions asked before and during the project;
• fewer details re-confirmations needed;
• more time left for a more elaborated and detailed rendering and post-production;

Design Briefing Example for Exterior: What to include?

The 3D rendering company will need all the available data to create the 3D rendering. Here are some of the things we will need to complete the 3D architectural visualization.

• General information: The architectural rendering company will need all available data to complete the rendering. This will include the expected deadline that the rendering will be finished, all camera angles and heights when showing the rendering, and a rough draft of the building if you have it.
• Architecture plans: Any picture references for design elements, floor plans, furniture placement. or anything else will help us render your design. CAD drawings of the floor plan, site plan, elevations, and landscape plan are recommended. Or a 3D model from (Rhino, Revit, 3DS Max, Sketchup, or other software) showing the sizes and dimensions of the architecture is recommended. Files can be submitted in these formats, .Mas, .3DS, 3DM, .SKP, .FBX, .OBJ, .RVT, .STL, .DAE, or .DWG formats. We can also accept PDF files or sketches stored in a JPG. If you have a file type outside of this, you must confirm that we can accept it. 

• Environment: It is imperative to include what type of environment the project will be in. What the project’s surroundings look like and if there will be greenery incorporated into the project will give the 3D rendering a much more appropriate appearance. Giving the 3D rendering service company all the information possible about the environment will help them create a realistic exterior rendering.

• Elements and finishes: It will come down to minor details that can be easily missed, including door styles, window trim, siding finish, walkway texture, etc. 

• Mood: The 3D rendering service company will need to be informed as to what time of day and weather this 3D rendering will portray. There will be considerable differences in the renderings in both the interior and exterior rendering. If it is night or cloudy, there will be more focus on the light and how it illuminates the building and space. While during the day, in clear weather, the focus will be on the building structure and interior design. The weather and time of day displayed in the rendering can result in drastic differences in the rendering.

Design Briefing Example for Interior: What to include?

When having a 3D rendering service perform the interior rendering, they will need extensive information.

• Elevations or design reference images: A elevation or design image helps the 3D artist understand the spatial relationship between rooms and know the size and location of the space.

• Camera view: The direction in which the camera angle looks at the room will determine many things in the rendering. Most importantly, the camera angle should accent the space the most appropriately. If a giant bay window is looking towards a mountain range, the camera angle shouldn’t be parallel to the window. 
• Floor plans: The 3D rendering service provider will need a detailed floor plan with furniture sitting in place, styles, and colors. The floor color, texture, and material will all need to be chosen.

• Backgrounds: Make sure that you choose the most appropriate background views for the project. Some projects will look perfect, surrounded by sunshine and beaches, while others will be significantly out of place unless they are in the downtown area of a city.
• Mood: Mood references are essential no matter what is being rendered. The 3D rendering service company will include the style and mood in the interior rendering to make sure that it is accurate to the design and engaging to any viewers.
• Lighting: Lighting makes a highly significant impact on a space. The lighting details of the technical assignment have the opportunity to change the entire outcome. The type of fixture, the color of light, the style of the light fixture, and the distance the light will travel will all have huge effects on the interior rendering.

• Fixtures and Appliances: All the colors, materials, and textures will have to be presented to the rendering company. You will be able to add whichever fixtures and appliances you want. We have a model library to choose these items from. If the fixture or appliance is not in the model library, then we will be able to custom-create one.
• Resolution: The resolution of a 3D project for the standard price tier will be delivered at 4,000px. While the VIP price tier will have a delivery resolution of 8,000px. However, if the project is intended to be viewed up close, the rendering may need to be of much higher quality, or if you need an extra-large resolution for signage marketing, you can let us know before the project starts. Higher quality may cost more.

A checklist on how to write a project brief for 3D rendering

• The core concept of your project: You can start by asking yourself these questions. Who is the target audience for your project rendering? Have you made sure your architectural and interior design goals are clear? Is there any highlight spot of the architecture or interior designs that you would like to drive more attention to? Do you have any specific requests or suggestions for us while we complete your rendering? If you are completing this project for marketing purposes, you should consider the project with your company’s customer persona.
• Choose the 3D rendering type: exterior, interior, aerial, floor plan, or animation, or VR/AR architecture visualization.
• Describe your visualization concept: This is the written description of your 3D rendering. It should include image styles, different perspectives, angles, and any integrations of people, cars, other objects, the environment, and lighting conditions.
• Desired finishes: For the final rendering to be as like your finished design as possible, you will want to make sure that you describe all the finishes that will go into the project. This will include all the design elements from flooring to light fixtures to kitchen appliances and all of the other finishes that will be included in your project.
• Focus on singular visions: Include design elements that will embody the project’s core. If you are building a commercial building, then adding people in the rendering interacting with the environment will help bring a dash of realism and personality to the project rendering.
• Small details make a huge difference: Including the small details that make a space seem realistic will make all the difference in the final rendering. If the rendering involves that same commercial building, the employees could hold stacks of paper or cups of coffee. There could be family photos in the office spaces and personal effects on the office walls.
• Reference: You can also browse our 3D rendering portfolio for picture reference and let us know if there are any textures, finishes, or materials that you would like to add to your design.
• Timelines: It is essential to include specific timelines in your brief. This will help keep everyone motivated and pushing forward at the same pace and ensure that you get your rendering back at the appropriate time for your project.

Final thoughts

There are various types of architectural 3D rendering options, no matter which CGI rendering method you choose, it is crucial to provide the 3D artists with all project details to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your project expectations and a smoother rendering process. Thus, it is essential to prepare a comprehensive brief, review it, and have it ready to deliver before starting to work with the 3D rendering company. The project brief should include all necessary information such as the deadline, type of architectural visualization, required elements, objects, textures, as well as reference pictures. Taking the time, in the beginning, to plan and thoroughly detail the interior or exterior rendering project brief will help keep the project on time, on budget, and on track.

Want to start visualizing your architecture design? Email us with your 3D rendering brief and get an accurate price. Your photorealistic rendering will be ready within 3-10 days after the project starts!