George Nijland

Name: George Nijland
Area of living: Oosterbeek, Nederland
Company: Owner of Triple-D, since 1998
Expertise: Expert level in interior and exterior
Project duration: 2 – 3 weeks
Software using: MAX 2015, Vray 3 and Photoshop CC.

– Every project starts from collecting materials and client’s wishes. How do you negotiate with clients? What do you ask for?

Mostly I just have contact with my clients through phone and mail. I send my clients a standard list of information that I need: plans, facades, cross sections, details, situation DWG’s and a material list with reference photos of the materials. And I ask my clients the purpose of the renderings. What is it they want to communicate? For interiors I also ask my clients for style photos as a reference.

– How do you work: in your own style or under clients guidance?

I have my own render style, but clients can ask me everything to render. For interior I have my favorite interior style and this is mostly the style clients ask for. But sometimes clients also ask me to make different interior styles. Almost everything is possible.

– How is you working process look like? How many revisions allowed to make?

After I received the final DWG’s and material list, I ask the client again if this is the final information! New information after this phase of the project automatically leads to extra work (Higher price and extra time). Then I start modelling based on the information I received. When I finished the 3D model, I will send the client a clay rendering with a light and camera proposal.

When the client made his camera and lighting choice I start texturing. When this is finished I send him a test render. Mostly I get some corrections in stone color, vegetation, cars etc. I make these corrections and send them the corrected version again. This is mostly also the final version. The last step is the high resolution rendering with a very little Photoshop work.

– Have you refused to do the project and if yes why?

Yes, many times. If the project is too big. Or when I get too less time to make something good. Or when clients find the work to expensive. Etc, etc.

– How do you calculate/estimate project price?

I calculate the modeling based on the number of days I need. For texturing and rendering I mostly need 2 or 3 days for an image.

– Do you have technical education? Does it helps in 3D?

Yes, I studied interior design and photography. Both studies helped me a lot during my 3D career.

– Client is nice, project agenda is clear, now you need inspiration to get started. What are your sources of inspiration?

Mostly I start searching for inspirational photography on:

• Pinterest
• Architectenweb
• ArchDaily
• DesignFather
• Dezeen
• Designboom
• ArchiTonic

– There are 2 types of visualizers: one who heavily rely on post-work (they do not render scene completely, but only parts of it, and one who try to get complete scene after render process and apply basic post-work) From which side you are and why?

I do everything in the render. I hardly do any post work.

– Who is your favorite 3D artist or company?

There are many very good artists all over the world! But a few of my favorites are:

• Peter Guthrie
• Bertrand Benoit
• Juraj Talcik

– How would you rate your level of expertise in 3D graphics on a scale 0 till 10. In what areas you would like to get more knowledge?

7.5. I would like to learn more about shading and composition.

– What were the main sources of training that you used if any? Which one you can recommend?

– Do you participate in contests?

No, I have no time for this. My weeks are always too short 🙂

– Do you attend 3D vis conferences or at least track them in internet?

I visit many in the past. But now there is just stateofartacademy for me.

– What is your greatest work that you have done? The most challenging project you have worked on?

I haven’t done it jet. I am still searching for it 🙂

– What do you think about general 3D visualization level in your country

It’s good. But comparing to the international market, we could do better.

– Market is overwhelmed with the low quality/price offers. There are many programs which allow creating simple 3D without any knowledge. Do you think such job as 3D artists will be still needed in future?

Yes, there will be always clients that will pay for good quality. There are Opels, BMW’s and Lamborghini’s and every price level has his own clients.

– What are your long-term goals or career plans?

I am a 3D artist since 1998. I want to enjoy my work for another 15 years and become better every year.

Advice from George to achieve high quality level in 3D visualization: Use photography as reference! And try to learn from photography not just 3D art techniques.