Renderings to Reality: Visualization Tools to Guide the Design Journey

Written By Emily Flaxman
 

A huge part of what I do is figuring out how to translate the design ideas that are in my head into something that I can communicate with my clients. There are a wide range of tools out there and I am always experimenting with the latest technology depending on the project, client and scope of work. I’ve found that a mix of mediums is the best way to communicate my ideas.

Most people think “design psychology” refers to the design of the space — and it does — but there is also psychology involved in guiding my clients through the design journey. Translating their lifestyles and preferences into design concepts with tangible visuals is one of the most important parts of the design process. Communicating my design ideas in an effective way is key to getting clients excited and on-board with new ideas.

In fact, studies show that images can influence the way that we act and make decisions. The ‘visual cortex’ in our brain is responsible for processing images and directly impacts our decision-making processes. Providing my clients with visual aids to make decisions improves their confidence in their choices and makes the process more collaborative. 

Below is a recent project that illustrates the arc of how I visualize my ideas and share them with clients.

Understanding Need and Function

First is always understanding the client's needs. In this project, I was tasked with designing a family room for a growing family with the goal to make it a shared, enjoyable space for everyone.

Before photos

Family rooms – especially those with young children – can easily become areas of stress, with toys scattered about and little room to relax. The challenge here was to make the space functional, beautiful, and easy to maintain.

Mood Boards

I begin my design process with virtual mood boards. Here, I compiled a variety of images, colors, textures, and materials that resonated with the overall aesthetic and incorporated the existing features that we weren’t changing, such as the fireplace and the light fixture.

Mood boards act as the foundation for the design and allow a jumping-off point for conversation with and feedback from the client. Before going full steam ahead, I like to make sure we are on the same page both with look, feel and budget.

Mood board

2D Elevations

Next, we create 2D floor plans and elevations. These are scaled drawings of the space from both a birds-eye view and vertical drawings of each wall. These technical drawings offer valuable insights into proportions, furniture arrangements, and interactions of different elements within the space.

Elevation

Front Elevation

Top View

Shop Drawings

Once I have sign-off from the clients on the general design direction, I bring in the experts. In this case, we decided to move forward with doing custom build-in cabinetry. I brought in trusted cabinet-maker, Andrew Franklin at Ogee Millwork, to measure every nook and cranny and confirm all of the small details and transitions.

He then created shop drawings of the cabinetry. The shop drawings highlight the precise manufacturing and installation details, ensuring that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and working cohesively towards the same goal.

Shop drawings

3D Renderings

3D renderings are a game-changer in the world of interior design. They provide a lifelike representation of the proposed space, allowing clients to easily visualize their future home and the proposed changes.

It's a powerful way to immerse clients in the design and make any necessary adjustments before construction or renovation begins. Additionally, 3D renderings are a useful tool not only for sharing the vision with the client, but also for communicating the expected final product with any subcontractors involved. 3D rendering partner, ArchiCGI, did a fantastic job bringing the 2D elevations to life.

Final Photoshoot

After fabrication and construction was complete, this project culminated in a professional photoshoot with photographer, Vivian Johnson and stylist, Rachel Forslund. The final designs come alive in these photographs, representing not just the end product but the journey we've embarked on together. It's a celebration of the hard work, collaboration, and beautiful transformation that has taken place.

You'll notice that the renderings and the final outcome  are a nearly perfect match — evidence of both the power of using visualization tools in the design process and the extreme dedication to detail from the Ogee Millwork team. 

I love creating solutions that clients might not think of on their own and then guiding them through the process of making it a reality. Using these visual aids helped keep me, my client, and the subcontractors on the same page every step of the way. It also made it enjoyable and collaborative for everyone involved from start to finish.

xx

Emily

Sources

Emily Flaxman
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