BUILDING BETTER COMMUNICATION:
WHY CLAY INTERIOR RENDERS AREN’T IDEAL FOR CLIENTS
Frequently, we come across instances where individuals share raw, unembellished interior renders with clients. This could be for seeking approval on camera angles, sunlight orientation, or the overall composition. Sometimes, such a choice is driven solely by client demands. In this article, I aim to elucidate why this approach might not yield the best outcomes and how incorporating a few adjustments can significantly enhance communication.
Consider the clay rendering below, portraying a simple scene. Envision this as an entrance area to a house, featuring a wardrobe, staircase, cabinet, and an entrance door possibly located just beyond the camera’s view. Let’s assume that our task was to create this rendering primarily to showcase the wardrobe. The initial brief provided us with a basic sketch, devoid of specifics about materials or colors. It contained a simple directive for sunlight inclusion. Consequently, we present renderings like these to secure frame and sun direction approval.
The presented image garners approval owing to its pleasant and inviting ambiance. Encouraged by this, we invest further effort to finalize it with appropriate textures and colors. Once this polished version is shared, we receive feedback encompassing an extensive list of modifications. But why does this occur?
In many instances, this is a consequence of the client’s vision differing significantly from ours. What’s more, if the ‘client’ represents a collective group, each member might envision an entirely distinct aesthetic.
Allow me to provide an illustrative example.
Consider the same interior presented above, realized through four different material combinations. If a group of four individuals were to evaluate our image, it is plausible that their perspectives would align with these variations. Granted, certain foundational principles apply, like ‘ceilings are generally lighter than floors (although exceptions exist).’ We tend to intuitively adhere to such principles, making deviations surprising.
Now, while our current scenario features a straightforward scene, imagine a more complex setting like an office space or a hotel lobby. As the number of textures increases, so does the range of potential combinations and interpretations.
How can we circumvent this potential for misunderstanding?
The solution is elegantly simple: infuse color into the most expansive surfaces within the scene—walls, floors, ceilings. Texture isn’t imperative; even basic hues suffice. Introducing a touch of reflection further refines the presentation. The effort invested is minimal, yet its impact on communication is profound. Why? Because when a client is presented with such a clay rendering, they gain a clearer grasp of what they can anticipate down the line.
Here we have the same scene, but with select colors highlighted.
Now, observe four additional renderings, each artfully employing variations of the highlighted colors. While nuances distinguish them, the overarching ambiance remains remarkably consistent.
In essence, the path to enhanced client communication involves including nuanced colors to clay views. This way we have more tangible representation of the envisioned outcome. By bridging this perceptual gap, we establish a stronger rapport with our clients and minimize the potential for misinterpretation.
By incorporating these strategies into your 3d visualizations, you empower clients with a more accurate glimpse of the future—a future that aligns harmoniously with their aspirations.