FAQs

What types of services does Zooboing offer?

• The short answer is we offer Architectural computer 3D renderings & animations, Graphic Design and high impact Photoshop illustration and presentations for architects, engineers, developers, and contractors.
• For a more detailed listing of services visit the services page of our site.

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What advantages are there with hiring Zooboing?

• Our architectural education, training, and work experience helps us understand your needs. It also helps us understand your drawings and communicate with you as an industry professional.
• Our design and presentation education, training and work experience allows us to produce dynamic graphics and presentations which will help you communicate your building to your client.
• Zooboing orients its services towards architects, developers, contractors and realtors. Zooboing's founder, Patrick Hoesly, understands the needs of this industry and the tight deadlines you are under. As such he can relate to you and your firm, can read your drawings, and can visualize your designs. All of this means that he can deliver accurate, quality renderings, on time and on budget for your project.

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When is the right time to hire a 3D modeler / artist / illustrator?

• Anytime! Zooboing offers the ability to join your team at any stage of the design process. At Schematic Design we can work with your designers to quickly create massing models, explore sun/shadow studies, and view material pallets. At Design Development, we have the ability to model in greater detail to help you nail down the overall design (animation, material, context, true shadows, etc are all good options at this stage).
• During the construction documents phase, our models can be easily imported into CAD and used as the base for elevations, sections, roof plans and floor plans thus saving you time & money.
• At any point in your process, Zooboing can present your design using Photorealism, or non-Photorealistic presentation styles. View Zooboing's portfolio.

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How do I choose from the many artists out there?

There are are a few questions to ask yourself to determine whether an artist is the right fit for you.

• Does the artist understand your business & industry language?
• Do they ask you about how the project will be presented and how these images will be utilized over the course of the project construction?
• Are they offering logical and artistic recommendations for finding the correct 'money shot.'
• Do they respect that this rendering will be an intrigral part of winning the project/client.
• Do they understand that the rendering will be displayed for months or even years and represents your designs, your company, and your reputation.
• Do they respect your deadlines and work with your schedule to atcheve ontime renderings?
• When there are changes to be made, will they be able to successfully communicate & understand the changes and how this may impact the schedule.
• Is the artist within the United States legal system and held accountable to US contractual laws.

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What purpose do computer renderings serve on a project?

• Design visualization is no longer a luxury. Clients & investors expect it. Design competitions require it. Presentation graphics are more than just pleasing images, they help people visualize what their project will be, and help win community approval from the neighborhood, city leaders and investers.
• Investors & Lenders are more confidant by knowing the direction the project will be heading, thus allowing for more capital to be raised.
• Green buildings can be verified with sun and shadow studies, night renderings, and vegetation layouts.
• Material/color studies can help the owner and contractors understand what the building will look like, and clients have found these renderings to be extremely useful in pre-sales because it allows the buyer to be able to see exactly what their new home or office will look like before it is built.

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In-House vs Outsourcing Cost comparison.

If you are considering using in-house staff for 3D work, or if you already doing so, you would do well to count the cost:

• Using an experienced in-house CAD user (such as a Job Captain or Project Architect) means asking that person to squeeze in more work in additional to their regular project responsibilities. His/her projects will suffer from lack of attention and coordination. Moreover, because of that person's high billing rate, less time will be allocated to 3D work, and quality will suffer.
• Using a junior in-house CAD drafter who learned 3D in school may seem to be a cheap route to 3D, but consider this: he/she may not have the architectural experience and design maturity necessary to produce quality images. You may find that work has to be repeatedly redone before it is something you would want to show your client.
• Still not sure about outsourcing? Try this exercise. Multiply the billing rate of the person on your staff who would do 3D work by the amount of time it really takes that person to complete a visualization project. Chances are Zooboing Architectural Illustrations would actually be cheaper.
• No five-figure technology outlays. No staff scheduling headaches. No gambling on an untested solution. By using Zooboing you will know the cost at the outset. And you can be sure about the quality of the end product.
• At Zooboing, we have the real-world experience to create images that you and your clients will love.

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Can you recommend any architect / draftsman in my area?

• We do know architects and draftsman, many with experience with your type of project. However, if your not in the Kansas City area, you should first consult with your local AIA (American Institute of Architects) office. They can give you a list of architects with the right qualifications.

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Can we have the digital computer file?

• The working digital files are often quite large and may contain many copyrighted objects (materials, objects, etc.) that were purchased by Zooboing which can be used in the renderings but can not be resold by Zooboing. The contracts and pricing are framed around providing just the illustration service and the image that comes out of that service. If the working files are required, they would have the copyrighted elements removed from them and an additional fee for the model would be negotiated.

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How are the 3D models created?

• Short Answer: Magic Elves.
• Long Answer: 3D Modeling and Renderings are done by creating a full size three-dimensional model of the proposed design generated within the computer. With specialized software, we construct a realistic model of the project according to the clients specifications. By applying appropriate colors, textures and materials to all surfaces, adding lights, backgrounds, and accessories, a very accurate representation can be achieved. Once created, these renderings are very versatile and can be used for a variety of different purposes. They are created at a high resolution which enables them to be used as color artwork for display within a sales model, on brochures, billboards, outdoor signage, direct mail pieces, web sites and print advertisements. Because they are a digital file, they may be futher refined to take on photorealistic or non-photorealistic looks (watercolor, colored pencil, etc.). Digital models also have the unique ability to be exported to your CAD program which makes for quick and low cost plans, sections, and elevations.

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Where is Zooboing located?

• Kansas City, Missouri. If you're in the area, we would be happy to meet with you in person. We are always happy to meet people in the industry.

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Who are Maximus & Shalla?

• They are the company dogs. They like going for walks, licking kids, chasing mice, annoying the company cat (Anakin), sleeping in the sun and going to the dog-park any chance they get.

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What is Zooboing's work atmosphere like?

• While we take every project seriously, we don't feel a serious environment is best for the creative process. Suits, ties, cubicles, etc are great for corporate America, however, not at Zooboing. We enjoy the work we do, the people we work with and the environment we work in.
• On a side note, every day is take your pet to work day. Pets make us all happy, and when your stuck trying to figure something out, nothing helps lubricate the mind more than a quick walk or play with the dog.

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