Genesis Studios, Inc.

As the downturn in the economy persists, it may be worth examining the areas of development and construction that are thriving in this economic climate. Recently we featured Storage Facilities as a construction type that is thriving these days.

Ebert, Norman & Brady - BEQ Naval Facilities

This week we are presenting just a few projects we have rendered for the Military.  Under the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009”, monies have been distributed for Military projects.

Ebert, Norman & Brady -  Engineering Services Facility

Genesis Studios Inc. has done architectural renderings for the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines. We have depicted hangars, living quarters and training facilities.

Our expertise in Military projects is valuable to the architects that we serve. Often, there are special requirements for items such as landscaping where perimeter planting must allow the properties to be patrolled easily. Also, very precise colors and materials are specified and need to be portrayed accurately and convincingly. Special attention needs to be given to uniforms and vehicles.

Ebert, Norman & Brady - Bachelor Quarters

Our Opaque Style renderings are very popular with the Military as they conform to the architectural rendering styles usually called out in contracts with the government. They are close to ‘photorealistic” but are hand painted to lend a bit of softness.

If desired, we can produce Digital Renderings as well.

STOR KWIK, Orlando, Florida
Rabco Corporation, Winter Garden, Florida

A+ Storage, Miami, Florida
Nunez, Guim & McCarthy Advertising, Inc., Miami

As we make our way through this seemingly endless down economy, it may be beneficial to look to trends that seem to be thriving.

Genesis Studios Inc. loves doing architectural renderings of upscale Resorts like Marriott Vacation Clubs or Ritz Carlton Hotels, but we’re doing far fewer than before.

We are still doing some resorts in China (look for more about this one in an upcoming newsletter), as well as working on the beautiful, Longboat Key Club Resort, near Sarasota, Florida.

Some of you may  think Genesis Studios’ focus is on resorts and lifestyle projects, but over the years, we’ve painted  pretty much every building type imaginable. We’ve welcomed the opportunity to work on Military Bases, Strip Mall Renovations, Hospitals and Correctional Facilities. We strive to provide the highest quality architectural illustrations for every project. 

In the next few weeks we will cover some of the building types that may be of interest to all of us in this economy. 

So, let’s get started and talk about Self-Storage buildings.

Often times, municipalities want to see the design, colors and materials of structures such as these. Self-Storage buildings have become more of an asset to their settings rather than the “eye sores” that once were allowed.

When professional architectural renderings are required for permitting, we’ve got you covered. The two renderings shown are very different from each other. The A+ Storage facility is an opaque painting, a very realistic style. This style, or our digital renderings would be perfect when a municipality requires a  very literal translation of the architecture.   The STOR KWICK structure is a soft architectural watercolor rendering. Sometimes a softer more artsy interpretation is effective in attaining approval before a board.

In both instances, the artwork can be published in brochures, on the web or even enlarged to billboard size. Want something other than Opaque or Digital?  Visit Genesis Studios website to see more.

Next time we will cover Military Projects.

Genesis Studios, Inc. Lead Watercolor Illustrator, Vasily Vasilenko has been honored with an Award of Excellence by the American Society of Architectural Illustrators for their AIP25 catalogue and show.

Vasily Vasilenko has a BA in Architecture with a minor in Architectural Illustration from the St. Petersburg State Academic Institute of Fine Arts and Architecture in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has over 20 years of experience in Architectural design and illustration.

In addition to Genesis Studios, Mr. Vasilenko has been employed as a freelance illustrator and painter at numerous firms throughout Europe
including:

*        Leon Wilnitsky Gallery - Austria
*        Artist’s Union of St. Petersburg Exhibition Center

Vasily has been the recipient of numerous awards in his career including the ASAI 2005 Award of Excellence. He has had numerous exhibits in the United States, Russia, Hanover, Germany, and Austria.

The award is for Vasily’s spectacular painting of the Borabay Lakes Resort, in Kazakhstan. The architect is Civic Arts/Eric R. Kuhne and Associates in London, United Kingdom.

See more of  his work watercolor works and sign up for our newsletter.

Revisiting the topic “Why Use a Domestic Architectural Rendering Company?”

Greatly differing time zones. This may not seem to be much of a problem at first glance. You may be willing to stay at the office till 9:00 pm to talk to someone halfway around the world-after all, your new project is important to you. However this may become a daily routine as some of the progress images are not looking quite the way you expected. The calls are later (or very early) and more frequent and perhaps a bit more exasperating.

How do I know all of this? One way is that I have spoken with architects and developers that have outsourced their architectural renderings. To be sure, it is not always a bad experience, but it can be. I have heard many of the stories (some nightmares) of calls and emails around the clock.

The other way I know about this is that-yes-I have outsourced work. So I know from firsthand experience how what seems like a simple experience can spiral out of control.

The height of the “time zone” problem comes when you receive your completed rendering at 9:00 am, “as promised”. Everything looks fine, except upon further review you notice a critical omission-like no flag on the flagpole, or worse, an unwanted addition-like an extra floor. You need this changed, but your overseas source has retired for the night. You have to make prints and bind them for your critical meeting while knowing full well you will have “some splaining to do” in your meeting. I know, I’ve been there.

Related to the “time zone” issue is the fact that certain holidays in other countries are not the same as ours. Various “New Years” celebrations come at different times with long shutdowns. Just some things to think about if you have a critical deadline to meet.

At Genesis Studios Inc., we are at work when you are at work

More to come…

We have many architectural rendering samples to be viewed on our website.

Please contact us if you are interested and referrals are always welcomed.

Winters in Central Florida

I count the days until winter announces its arrival each year. Why? Open the front door during the summer and it feels like stepping into a sauna. It’s so common to hear, “Just a few more months of this oppressive heat and humidity and winter returns.”
The winters in Central Florida are near perfection. The season brings abundant sunshine, low humidity, average highs in the 70’s, yard sales, arts and craft shows and lots of opportunities for outdoor dining and people watching.  Ah, the reason I love central Florida winters. Did I mention green? Usually everywhere I turn, I see green-giant philodendrons, palms, ficus trees and an occasional splash of color contrasts with the green. Not this year.  You may have heard about Florida’s weather on the news. This winter  has been far from our much anticipated perfection. Just look at these photos! There’s no green. There’s no color.

I’m  never without my camera. Never know when I’ll spot the perfect tree or colorful bougainvillea. Over the years, I’ve taken hundreds of photos for reference.    You may not realize it, but when you visit www.genesisstudios.com and search our Style Categories, you’ll see some of our Florida landscape reproduced  in our watercolor and digital renderings. Whether painted with a brush or incorporated digitally, the photos are the perfect reference.   I expect to photograph landscape all year long, but  this winter has presented us with something we don’t see very often, a landscape of frozen, brown, droopy and dead plants. It may take some time (if ever) for this Bougainvillea to return to its glory.

Fortunately we already have a huge library, so our  developers, homebuilders, architects and advertising  clients can be assured that the perfect trees, grasses and shrubs will be in their renderings, even if it isn’t tropical.

We all know the saying, “There’s never a better time.” Get those cameras out. Don’t let opportunities slip away. That Bougainvillea might be gone tomorrow.

Coming soon!
The next edition of our newsletter  “The challenges of a 2009 Project”.
Genesis Studios Newsletter

Guest Blogger-Betty Elliott

Why use a domestic architectural rendering company?

With so many options available for outsourcing architectural renderings, why would you use a domestic architectural rendering firm and pass on the possible low costs of overseas outsourced renderings?

Communication. This is probably the most critical factor when selecting anyone to represent your project. You may have had the experience of working with a talented architectural renderer who “just does not get it” when it comes to your design intent. This problem can be compounded when your artist does not share your language. And while some overseas rendering firms advertise representatives that speak “perfect English” there are idioms and phrases you may use to express your requirements that do not translate. If you say “Well we’re back to square one”, or “knock their socks off”, you may not be understood.

Often times someone from a different culture will not ask you what you meant-you may not find out that you were not understood till the project is well under way. Cultural backgrounds can also be difficult to bridge. This is not to question the competency of the liaison-there are just differences.

At Genesis Studios Inc., we go the “extra mile” to be sure we understand what you mean. If we are not positive we have grasped your intent, we’ll take a step back and discuss the issue before moving on.  It is better to be certain early on than to have to make revisions later on. Unnecessary revisions are costly, cause frustrations and can really slow a project down.

It is not unusual for us to work with architects whose first language may not be English; Spanish for example. Since English happens to be a more universal language it is easier for someone whose first language is not English to communicate with someone who understands English well.

To enhance communication, we also present sketches as we progress, incorporate your mark-ups and advance with our architectural illustrations. We know that you want “no surprises!”

For a successful project, communication is key. These are just a few of the images that show the process resulting in the completed rendering for Global City.

Check back to read more topics relating to “Why use a domestic architectural rendering company ?”

-Greatly differing time zones
-Risk of transmitting information overseas
-Local infrastructure  (will their power go out when you have a difficult deadline?)
-What happens if lines of communications break down?
-What if your deadline does not look like it will be met, what recourse do you have?

If a nondescript/low profile overseas company misses  deadlines or does not deliver as expected, how will you know before choosing them?

As a very high profile company and members of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators, we know that our reputation is on the line with every project!

Want to discuss this more Contact Us

ASAI Student Award of Excellence

DEADLINE Friday, January 29, 2010

While the American Society of Architectural Illustrators’ “Architecture in Perspective” is entering its 25th year competition, ASAI is sponsoring a new competition.

In 2009, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators introduced a student member category to “Architecture in Perspective”. Student members are invited to enter a maximum of 5 images which can include formal presentation renderings, informal sketches, study projects, drawings, paintings and computer imagery. The Student Award of Excellence winner will receive a Certificate of Excellence and the winning image will be included in the AIP exhibition which travels the United States and international venues. The winning image will also be published in the AIP catalogue and on the ASAI website. The jury, at their discretion, may also award Student Awards of Merit accompanied by a Certificate of Merit. Student entries will be judged by a separately convened jury which will include senior ASAI members.

The goals of this competition are to bring exposure of what ASAI is all about to a new wave of aspiring architectural renderers. It is also a venue that allows students of architecture to demonstrate their abilities to a broad audience.

You may view the results of the first competition on the ASAI website. The level of talent is impressive. And the architectural rendering styles and techniques are fresh and original. From digital architectural renderings to hand painted architectural illustrations you can get a glimpse into the “future” of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators.

For a full description of the competition and entry requirements, along with the Student Entry form (below) and/or a poster, please contact ASAI headquarters on 623-433-8782 or hq@asai.org


Jury for Student Awards

Frank M. Costantino, ASAI, SI, JARA, FSAI
Frank Costantino is an architectural illustrator, watercolorist, teacher, and writer. A Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize recipient - and other Juror or Category Awards - from the American Society of Architectural Illustrators, he is one of only two professionals in the world with the Ferriss Prize and an Arthur Ross Award from ICA/Classical America.

Award-winning artworks from his thirty-five year career appear in more than forty-five books or catalogues. Since 1987, twenty-six of his illustrations have been juried into annual ASAI exhibitions.

As one of ASAI’s founders and President Emeritus, Mr. Costantino received the American Institute of Architects Institute Honors in 1995, and was recognized with an ASAI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, for his numerous contributions to the Society. A signature member of the New England Watercolor Society, and member of New York’s Salmagundi Club, he regularly conducts seminars around the country in architectural and fine art watercolor.

Jeff Mottle
Jeff Mottle is the President and Founder of CGarchitect Digital Media Corporation (www.cgarchitect.com), the leading online magazine for architectural visualization professionals. Having worked in the industry since 1997, Jeff has been involved in developing and speaking at conferences around the world including: Mundos Digitales, IMAGINA, VisMasters DMVC and the American Society for Architectural Illustrators conference (ASAI). He is immersed in many areas of the industry and actively pursues initiatives that help promote the growth of the field, including CGarchitect’s yearly Architectural Visualization competition and 3D Awards. Jeff has also written articles for 3Dworld Magazine and has been quoted in Business week. He frequently acts as an expert judge in industry competitions and publications, including Ballistic Publishing’s EXPOSE and ELEMENTAL books.

Jeff has worked for a number of companies including London based design communications firm, Smoothe, and more recently, as business development manager for VisMasters, an online software marketing and resource company for design visualization professionals.

James Gurney
James Gurney is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Dinotopia book series, which has been translated into eighteen languages in thirty-two countries. He designed the World of Dinosaurs stamps for the United States Postal Service and has worked on assignment for National Geographic magazine, painting reconstructions of Moche, Kushite, and Etruscan civilizations.

His unique blending of fact and fantasy has won Hugo, Chesley, Spectrum, and World Fantasy Awards. An exhibition of the artwork from Dinotopia began at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. will appear at the Delaware Art Museum in early 2010. His most recent book is Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn’t Exist (Fall, 2009). Gurney lives in the Hudson River Valley of New York with his wife Jeanette and his blue parakeet Mr. Kooks—a living descendant of dinosaurs.

A reminder to everybody, this week is the last week to enter the ASAI’ annual Architecture in Perspective Competition.

Architectural Renderers from all over the world enter this competition. To win one of the awards and or to be selected for the award of excellence is a great way to promote your work to architectural firms and developers the world over!

All categories of work are eligible:

Hand painted architectural illustrations

Digital architectural illustrations

Hybrid architectural illustrations (that is a blend of computer renderings and hand painted renderings)

Conceptual architectural illustrations

You may view the winners of the previous year’s award winners by going to:

www.asai.org

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Architecture in Perspective 25

DEADLINE Friday, January 15, 2010

The American Society of Architectural Illustrators’ annual international competition and exhibition further the Society’s objectives by selecting its members’ extraordinary work and presenting it in major venues worldwide over the course of a year. Selected artwork is also reproduced in a companion catalogue that is sold through bookstores and ASAI.

The competition is open only to ASAI individual and corporate members in good standing and newly subscribed members (with entries). This is the second year since we introduced the Student Award of Excellence and student members are encouraged to enter.

For a full description of the competition and entry requirements download the poster (below left) OR scroll to the bottom of this page and download an abbreviated version, along with the entry form (below).
If you need additional information or would like a poster and entry form to be sent to you, please contact ASAI headquarters on 623-433-8782 or

hq@asai.org

More often now I am receiving invitations from clients I know. Sometimes I receive invites from clients I would like to know better!

There are many advantages given for using LinkedIn. For me there are several reasons that apply to the economic environment as it is.

In any fields related to architecture, there has have been tremendous changes in the lay of the land. What I mean it this; quite a few developers and architectural firms with whom Genesis Studios Inc. did business, are no longer in business. Others have downsized and thus moved to new locations.

Many of my contacts have been laid off by one company and have surfaced with another company. Still others have adapted to these times by looking for work on their own.

With LinkedIn it is possible to keep up with almost all of the changes and migration. There is an up to date email address for each LinkedIn contact. Plus there is information on their new status, whether they are with a new company or on their own.

In addition to aiding in maintaining contact, members can write updates for other members to read.

It may well be worth your time to look into these and other features of LinkedIn.

Be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Genesis Studios will be open and operating through the Christmas and New Years Holiday Season.

We will be closed only on Dec. 25^th and Jan. 4^th.

Through the years it has been interesting to observe the volume of work we have experienced over the Holidays.

Some years the volume is very low as people are focused on the Holidays.

Yet other years there seems to be a rush of activity. Sometimes this is because architects and developers frantically wrap up their end of their projects and then leave them off with us to be illustrated.

Is this a problem for us? No, it is not. Our role is to take the burden form our client’s shoulders. If it means working through the Holidays, well that is what you pay us to do.

So we will be at your service through the Holiday Season. Just call on us.

How is our workload this year?

Considering the shape of the economy, it is surprisingly busy.

We are working on an amenities package, a series of watercolor vignettes plus one aerial view.

There are two digital aerial views of a project in Egypt and a series of 3 animations of Industrial Parks specializing in Green Technology (not pretty but they pay the bills!).

Two to three more watercolors may come in next week as well as one to two digital interior view.

We are also starting two pen & ink w/ watercolor renderings on a local project.

More on these as they progress.

Be sure to checkout our website for Architectural Renderings

There is a new article on Forbes website about the fastest revering cities. This is interesting because there is an analysis as to why certain cities are recovering more quickly than others.

One of the common denominators for recovering cities is that these cities did not experience the super inflation of housing prices thus they are not as vulnerable to the bursting of the bubble that occurred.

However, this is not always such great news. The reason is that in some of these cities, their real estate lacked the appeal that drove real estate prices sky high. So they didn’t lose as much because they never gained that much.

So some of the cities hardest hit by the loss in real estate value may, in my opinion, stand to gain more value again once their markets bottom out.

So which cities are expected to recover the “fastest”?

1. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metro Area
2. San Antonio, TX Metro Area
3. Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area
4. Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area
5. Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metro Area
6. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Area
7. Rochester, NY Metro Area
8. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX Metro Area
9. Raleigh-Cary, NC Metro Area
10. Baton Rouge, LA Metro Area

Notice that 4 of the top ten cities are from the great state of Texas.

Since our Studio is in Central Florida, I looked to see how our cities did. Orlando, Florida ranked 85^th (out of 100). With that rank, we were still well ahead of Miami and Jacksonville and other Florida cities. For perspective though, Chicago, my home town ranked 86^th, one notch below Orlando. I predict a great recovery for both metro areas. Let me know what you think.

For the complete list:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/cities-recovery-unemployment-lifestyle-real-estate-top-ten-chart.html

Be sure to check out Architectural Renderings at Genesis Studios.

Don’t forget to sign up for Genesis Studios Monthly Newsletter.

It has been my honor to serve the ASAI as president in 2009.

In what has been a difficult year for so most of us it has been so encouraging to see the loyalty, caring and concern that members of the ASAI have shown each other. We are a resilient group of people. The talent level of the artists in our organization inspiring.

And there is now good reason to expect that by the next time we have a chance to meet again, in Madison, Wi. For our 25^th year anniversary, we will be closer to our normal workloads (and income levels!). Good luck Mark!

There is no way we could have made it through this year without the dedication of Tammy and the Executive Board!

So many thanks to:

The Executive Board members this year:

Eric Heldt-A&E Architects, P.C.                           2008 ASAI, president

Mark Nelson-University of Wisconsin                    2009 Vice President

Steve Stannard-Salient Group                            Treasurer

Dennis Allain-Architecture Design Illustration         Member at Large

Mark Nelson-University of Wisconsin                    2009 Vice President

Nancy Opsata-Architectural Renderings                Secretary

Contributions to the Convergence:

John Dollus-Studioamd

Contributions to the ASAI website

Jane Grealy-Jane Grealy & Associates Perspectives

Special thanks to:

Tamara Horch-Prezioso                                       Executive Director, ASAI

Jeff Prezioso

To This year’ Jurors:

Ben Hutchens-Arquitectonica Geo

Terry Riley-Director, Miami Art Museum

Alfredo Sanchez- Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc.

This year’s Presenters:

David Nobles- Impulse Images & Animations, Inc

Jeff Mottle-CG Architect

David Csont- Urban Design Associates

Eric Thacher-Eric Thacher, CPA

Christine Zavesky-Arquitectonica

Jason Shirriff- AIA, LEED AP, ASAI

For advice & assistance:

Frank Costantino-F.M Costantino, Inc.

Wesley L. Page AIA-Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas and Company

Gordon Grice-Gordon Grice & Associates

Be sure to sign-up for our Monthly Newsletter which will be sent out starting December 15th.

A year ago, the global downturn decimated Dubai’s astonishing (over)development. Most people I spoke with that had any involvement in Dubai’s growth expressed concern that this was unsustainable.
Now there is so much debt that it’s requesting a six-month “standstill” on paying its bills.
This caused a drop on world markets Thursday. The worst fears in the US market seemed to subside as realization set in that the US was not as heavily invested as some other countries such as Great Britain.
Dubai’s main development engine, Dubai World and Nakheel, the company’s Real Estate Arm which was behind the series of “Palm Islands” and other mega projects are responsible for most of the $80 billion owed to banks and other entities such as contractors.
Dubai’ ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, seemed to gloss over concerns over the city-state’s liquidity and the claims it overreached during the good times.
Genesis Studios Inc. did renderings of the 1st and 2nd Palm Islands and surrounding projects for HHCP Design International, in Maitland, FL for Nakheel.
We also worked on various other phases of development such as “Dubai Union Canal” (image 5 0f 30 under watercolors on our website). This also involved Eric Kuhne Associates, London.
In the last few years we worked for Limitless, LLC, which was set up in July 2005, with the key objective of diversifying and globalizing Dubai’s portfolio through Nakheel.

Be sure to sign-up on my website for our Monthly Genesis Studios Newsletter

For inquiries on architectural renderings or architectural illustrations