By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Cornerstone Architects opened its Grand Rapids office in 1989 and its Traverse City office in 1995. In 2008, it will add a whole new business to its list of client services: that of concept renderings, also known as computer generated images.
Renderings are most commonly used to show developers or homebuyers images of houses and buildings yet to be constructed.
But Nemitz is pursuing other avenues in addition to the architectural uses. That's exciting news to developers, product engineers, and entrepreneurs who want to present a 3-D or photo-realistic version of their product to their target market before laying out a ton of cash for an expensive prototype.
"We already have contracts for boat brochures that will show customers the galley layout or how they can customize their boat using different interior woods," Nemitz says. "Automobile parts manufacturers can show how a dashboard or details of interior door panels will look in the vehicle."
The new business, Visual Biscuit, will launch January 2 with three renderers on board. Co-owner Tom Nemitz expects to hire another two later in 2008.
Nemitz will look for CAD designers with three to five years' experience. Software knowledge, such as how to manipulate "daylight" so it appears to stream through a window or how to make the window look dark outside, is key to producing photo-realistic images.
Based on contracts already in hand, Nemitz expects Visual Biscuit to garner revenues between $500,000 and $800,000 its first year.
Source: Tom Nemitz, Visual Biscuit
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.