Custom Illustrations 3d
August 24, 2011
Royalty Stock Illustration is fun, but 3d custom illustrations (and animations) are my favorite projects. Customers often come to me saying “I love this illustration, but I need you to make me a special one I can keep the rights to! Is that possible?” The answer: Yes!
Your probably familiar with my vector illustrations, but 3d is my preference. This is because of a number of benefits in working with 3d:
- High quality and consistent output. Pose and render workflow.
- Animation potential.
- Modernly accepted art form.
- Awesome for Branding.
Project Round-Up: 3d Mascot for Eaglesnest Robotics School
Before talking about pricing, I’d like to talk about a project I did for a robotics school called “Eaglesnest Robotics”. It was ideal, so much so that I’d like to pose it as a model for future clients to judge by. See the finished product…
Tractor Robot, Eaglesnest Robotics
Initially, the owner of the school approached me and let me know their needs: “We’ve been using your royalty free robot for quite some time now, but now we are ready to develop our own, and need something we can trademark”.
This is generally how it goes with all custom work requests that come my way. We agreed on a price, and then after a brief waiting period (while I caught up on other work) we started the project.
After a few email exchanges, we settled on an idea: A unique mascot was needed, but not like my others. This one, being made for a robotics school, would have to have a more genuine “modern robotics” look, instead of the space-age sci-fi AO-Maru which he had been using up till now.
After expectations were understood, I delved into creating the basics of the robot’s form. Step-by-step, it was presented to the customer, during which creative insights were shared and I made the needed changes. Examples below.
Verified with Customer that this would be robot's mode of transportation.
Customer liked progress, but batteries did not seem good for this concept. No prob.
Visual notes and Sketches. Take away batteries, will be adding body like shown...
Customer's notes applied, solar panel added, linkage for body, and cool shoulder pads per customer's wishes.
There was ONE last issue, particularly special to the customer. “The solar panels need to be more balanced with the charger pack, and I want the charger pack to be on him like a backpack instead.” My response: “Awesome!”
Customer Wanted a convincing retractable solar panel layout.
That having been addressed, I showed him the workings right from the 3d viewport. This pretty much made this phase of the project complete! Customer said “Don’t forget, this has to be blue and white!” Oh yeah…got to change that. Yellow was just convenient for me to work in. Now we’d just make a logo around the 3d robot illustration. Pretty cool huh? Here’s another render of the finished illustration:
Iconic "Inspector with magnifying glass" look they were after as a signature branding pose.
Past Projects of High Quality
Here are some brief examples of other custom mascots I’ve done in the past, although this was a while ago when my 3d skills were less.
Tuba 3d Robot Render
Mindsystems Amode 3d Robot Render, Creation Stage - www.mindsystems.com.au
Custom Illustrations created for your general needs, but copyright ownership not needed…
Sometimes customers ask me for special characters or projects, but they don’t necessarily need to own copyright, rather they just need a specific look for their project. This means a less costly project, although equally good output.
With that said, lets talk about another recent project: HABATAR!
While they said I could use their awesome example of teamwork in this post, their project is still top secret and details regarding them should not be shared right now.
They just needed some highly specific and really cool custom illustrations AND ANIMATIONS for their project. This has been a very long process, but they are wonderfully flexible, wonderful to work with, creative, and what illustrator would not want to work with these kind of people?! Here are some small examples of what we’ve produced together at the smaller non-exclusive price and workflow:
Step-by-Step growth stages of a super-robot.
Blueberry Bot, Inspired by Habatar
Creativity in action, achieving a good team oriented approach to 3d illustration –
The BEST projects I’ve been involved in is where both parties do not take things too too seriously, small compromise is made for the greater good, and good, practical ideas are put into the design and “decorating” is a second priority.
So what can you expect when you do a project like the ones listed above? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do you just do robots?
A: No, just by coincidence that seems to be what everyone asks me for. But I can do pretty much anything along the lines of what you see in my portfolio.
Q: How much does a custom 3d robot mascot cost?
A: If this is a project where you own copyright, 1,500 on average, depending upon complexity. First four renders are free, then $90 a pose/render afterward. If not, prices are much less, but I resell the product as royalty free stock illustrations.
Q: Do I own the 3d model file itself, and can I manipulate it and re-render it myself?
A: Depending on if you will be owning copyright, then yes, after the model is complete you get the Blender 3d file (download free program from www.Blender.org) and you can do whatever you want with it, including use other designers to create renders! Wow, cool huh?
Q: How long does it take to create a custom mascot for my business/mascot needs.
A: About two weeks. May take longer depending on busy-ness. Depending on my situation, you may be on a waiting list, but be sure to contact me — I may have an open time slot.
Q: Do I have to put money down?
A: No — you pay after project is complete. Copyright is transfered at time of sale. If you choose not to pay or project is terminated, I simply keep the robot for my own use.
Q: Can my robot be animated?
A: Yes, simple animations. I create the robot for basic still posing, and is not optimized for animation. Also, animations cost different depending upon complexity.
Q: Can you supply a list of people you’ve done projects for of this nature so I know what I’m getting into?
A: Yes. No point in having all that money on the line and not know what your getting into!
Q: Will this be a fun project?
A: YES!
Related clip art illustration posts:
- The Orange Man on WikiAnswers.com
- Custom Robo, Created for your Business
- JesterArts Project: Little Indoors Club House for My Children
- ClipArtof.com… Illustrations and Illustrators, a Small Royalty Free Stock Website with a Big Name
- Redefining My Illustrations for Modern Needs — Its Back to the Drawing Board!
