Property CGI

Property CGI is a digital artform that uses Computer Generated Image technologies to create architectural illustrations, artistic visualisations and artists’ impressions of the interiors and exteriors of all types of buildings.

Used extensively for property marketing (see this article – Artists impressions are key to property marketing), particularly, but not exclusively, in the housing market, Property CGI combines technical skills with artistic interpretation and the eye of the designer.

More often than not, a property CGI will be created before the building or refurbishment work is complete, or even started. They can be created from detailed instructions or architectural drawings and can be as detailed or as conceptual as the client requires.

A good overview of the principles of property CGI can be found here – Creating property CGIs and architectural illustrations

Ultimately, the aim of an artist’s visualisation of a property is to provide the marketing team with high quality imagery which can be used to promote and sell the property. This has a number of obvious advantages:-

  • Secures sales prior to project completion
  • Enhances cash flow by allowing deposits to be taken before completion
  • Encourages early investment
  • Enthuses potential buyers and investors
  • Shows details in photo-realistic representation

As stated architectural visuals can be used to show both interior and exterior impressions of a property to amazing detail. CGI libraries house commercially available files with details of virtually all types of finishes and building materials, which allows the visualisation artist to apply detailed finishes to the final image and create a very realistic image of what the final interior or exterior will look like.

Vital to the success of the process is the ability to interpret architectural drawings and client instructions. After the technical details have been modeled, the artistic interpretation of the property can commence, with lighting (from night to bright sunshine), planting and furnishings added to give the desired, finished architectural illustration.