In 2019, 42.9 million people will have used virtual reality (VR) technologies. Along with that number, 68.7 million individuals will have had some interaction with augmented reality (AR) technologies. These emerging digital concepts are no longer "in the future." They are here, and many industries are utilizing them to enhance their branding and marketing strategies. While the video game industry has ruled the AR and VR conversation with VR headsets from Sony and Oculus Rift, these technologies are also perfect for architecture and construction.
Today, more than ever, consumers want to interact with products they are interested in personally. AR and VR can give your potential customers that opportunity. Both allow for an immersive experience that can put them right inside a traditional home, apartment, condo, or any other piece of property.
Here at Cad Crowd, our team understands the importance of being on the frontlines when it comes to utilizing the best technology to further your goals. We see every opportunity for innovation in design and architecture as a better chance for companies to truly thrive in how they reach consumers.
This reason is why we specialize in helping companies find capable design talent. Each designer on our platform has been pre-vetted by our team. When it comes to incorporating emerging technologies like AR and VR, it is crucial that you have the right person guiding you along the way.
You want your customers to get the right feel for your architectural project. AR and VR technologies allow you to put them right in the middle of your idea.
For insight into why 3D AR/VR architectural services are crucial tools for your business and how we can help you find the best freelance architectural design service for these concepts, keep reading below.
Before we get into the details of 3D AR/VR architectural services, it is worth it to discuss the difference between these two technologies. They sound similar, and their meanings are related to one another. However, they are not the same.
VR is known for putting users right in the middle of a fully 3D-realized setting. For example, if someone is playing a video game and puts on a VR headset, they would be surrounded by a 360-degree view of the environment of the game. The headset would sense their movement and would help to generate game aesthetics as they physically moved and interacted with the game itself.
On the other hand, AR still involves 3D architectural visualization, but these designs do not take over the person's whole view. The best example of this is the Pokémon Go games. As a person played, they could hold up their phone to a real point (a tree, building, or just the setting of the area) and see a Pokémon. The design (the Pokémon, in this case) was layered over the user's physical environment.
While they have distinct purposes, both are useful for 3D AR/VR architectural services, and both allow you to test out your idea and receive feedback in real-time.
You may be wondering if 3D AR/VR architectural services are worth the time and resources. Are they beneficial, and do they provide any additional advantages to what you do? We would venture to say that they do.
Here are a few ways 3D AR/VR architectural services can help you better connect with your audiences while also making the building and design process much more streamlined and straightforward:
Improves the communication of your ideas – There is no question as to what you’re thinking regarding your design idea. The intentions are there for all to see. From the structure of the space to the colors used, your audience can immediately tell what your plans are.
As has been said before, a picture is worth a thousand words. AR/VR technologies are detailed photorealistic 3D designs that convey a variety of images and models to your audience. Therefore, your audience will not have to question what they are looking at and will understand your concept and ideas.
Reduce errors – Your customers can immediately see any mistakes or alterations that need to be handled. For example, the placement of a window or door may need to be modified. The fact that your customers can see this ahead of time and give you feedback can save you money down the line. Alternatively, you are also able to go through the designs and make edits yourself as you can immerse yourself in the design.
Capture and use data – Another great thing about VR, in particular, is the ability to capture data about how your customers are utilizing the space. There are some programs out there that allow you to track how users navigate a space. Also, there are some companies that are even using VR to test out the amount of light that is circulating in an area. Ultimately, VR allows you to capture valuable data that you would not have been able to receive otherwise.
Display furniture or "temporary" features – AR has become an excellent addition to the interior design industry. Companies like IKEA and Wayfair have taken to allowing customers to visualize how specific furniture or fixtures will look in their homes. The mobile apps of these companies will enable them to put anything from couches to tables within a space. AR has become incredibly useful on phones since the technology easily allows consumers to put their mobile devices in front of their faces to participate.
Improve sales – Today, when potential renters and buyers look at a piece of property or a unit, they want to be able to see what it is like to be within the area if they were there personally. Fortunately, today's technology allows them to do this. Before potential renters and buyers even enter your complex or residential property, they can take a tour of the space. They get the opportunity to interact with the layout and even see the furniture pieces that would work within it.
3D AR/VR architectural services are also excellent for those who may live long-distance from the property. They can still see the space and make an offer even if they are not currently in the geographic location.
Offer a variety of views – Depending on how you configure your VR settings, you can offer potential customers a variety of perspectives and angles that would be challenging to show in 2D. Many VR viewing tools start by showing potential customers the bird's eye view before they take them into the space. This scenario enables them to get a full-scale look at the property as a whole.
These benefits only scratch the surface of all that 3D AR/VR architectural services can do. Ultimately, AR/VR technologies enhance the customer experience. There are projections that customer experience will be a key brand differentiator by 2020. It is one of the primary ways that companies are looking to compete with one another to attract target audiences.
However, the first step to this process is finding a capable 3D CAD service who is willing to put your vision first, while adding in their creative edge. Our global network of designers is filled with professionals who are prepared to help you meet your design goals. We understand that customers respond well to feeling immersed in a space, and we want to help you offer that by providing 3D AR/VR architectural services. To understand how our process for matching entrepreneurs with designers works, we invite you to take a look at our How It Works page.
To better understand how much of an impact these technologies could have on the future of architecture and marketing as a whole, take a look at these relevant statistics:
This information and data reveal that it is safe to say that AR/VR is the wave of the future. These technologies are helping a variety of industries outside of gaming better convey their ideas. In fact, the more technical and involved the idea is, the better suited it is for AR/VR technologies.
Again, AR/VR is the wave of the future, especially when it comes to enhancing the customer experience and immersing users into a new reality. Our global network of architectural 3D modelers is equipped to help you bring this technology to your business. Here is what you can expect when you work with a Cad Crowd designer:
World-class service – Whether you want your customers to get a 360-angle view of an apartment building, or want to overlay a potential renovation project or their current space, our teams of designers can accomplish this for you.
We understand that you are trying to make a statement for each customer you work with, and our team respects this. So, we will do our absolute best to help you find the designer who is best suited to this task. Because each of our designers is pre-vetted by our team, you can expect world-class service. Each designer is experienced and has a variety of skillsets to bring your project from concept to completion.
State of the art tools – Our designers only work with the best tools in the industry. Whether they are using AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, ArchiCAD, 3dsMax, or even Unreal, our designers will use a blend of their skills as well as the features of these software tools to bring your ideas to reality. Again, AR and VR are emerging technologies, and these programs are equipped to handle the necessary processes that go into making your architectural idea engaging and immersive.
A dedication to precision and accuracy – If there is one thing our designers understand, it is the critical importance of precision and accuracy. They know that it saves you money and time to get the process right the first time, and that reason is why our designers specialize in working alongside you and involving you in each part of the process. They want to be sure they are executing on your vision, and are adhering to all desired specifications and regulations. The entire team at Cad Crowd takes accuracy seriously, which is the reason why we offer an accuracy guarantee with each designer you work with. We want you to get what you need, and our team will do what they can to ensure this happens.
Talent not limited by geographic location – The person best suited to handle your project may be an ocean away, or they could be down the street. Wherever they are, our platform is meant to help you find them. The emergence of remote work and the gig economy has made it possible for us to help you find the absolute best talent. With our platform, we are excited to facilitate the connections between you and your next designer.
We know that you have a lot to handle as an entrepreneur and business owner. From accounting to employee management, you cannot afford to have someone who doesn't know what they are doing managing your next design project. This reason is why we have matched entrepreneurs with capable designers for almost ten years. If you are ready to take advantage of our 3D AR/VR architectural services, we invite you to reach out to us for a free quote today.
At Cad Crowd, we have the privilege of working with 3D architectural modeling companies. Our network of freelancers have worked with clients including Yale and Tupperware. If you're interested in joining their ranks, find out how it works today.
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