How to Brief a Visualization Studio the Right Way

The quality of an architectural visualization depends not only on the studio's skill but significantly on the quality of the brief. A precise, well-structured brief saves time, reduces revision rounds, and leads to better results. Yet at Mirae, we regularly encounter clients who are unsure exactly what information we need. This article gives you a proven, practical guide to creating the perfect visualization brief.

The foundation of every visualization project is the plan documentation. The more complete and current these are, the more efficiently we can work. The following documents are ideal: Floor plans of all relevant levels (as DWG, PDF, or in BIM format), sections and elevations, a 3D model (if available) from ArchiCAD, Revit, SketchUp, or Rhino, a site plan with surroundings and orientation (cardinal directions), and material lists or building specifications. If no 3D model is available, detailed floor plans and sections become even more important since we will need to build the model from scratch. Tip: Provide plans at scale with dimensions — this significantly accelerates the modeling process.

The choice of camera perspectives has an enormous impact on how the visualization communicates. Before the briefing, consider: Which rooms or views are most important for your target audience? From what angle should the building be shown? Is there a primary view (street view, garden view)? Helpful materials include: photos of the site from the desired viewpoints, markings on the floor plan showing the approximate camera position and viewing direction, and reference images of other visualizations that demonstrate the desired style. If you are unsure, let us advise — at Mirae, we recommend optimal perspectives based on our experience with hundreds of projects.

The atmosphere of a visualization is determined by lighting mood, time of day, weather, and overall visual style. Communicate your vision as specifically as possible: What time of day should be depicted (morning, noon, evening, night)? What lighting mood (warm, cool, dramatic, neutral)? What overall style (minimalist, inviting, luxurious, natural)? Reference images are the most effective tool. Collect three to five images that show the desired style and atmosphere — these can be photos, renderings from other studios, or moodboard images. A picture truly says more than a thousand words here.

Realistic materials make the difference between a good and an outstanding visualization. Provide us — where available — with the following information: Exact material specifications for facade, floors, walls, and ceilings (ideally with manufacturer and product name), photos or samples of desired materials, furnishing instructions (specific furniture pieces or free styling by the studio), and specifications for kitchen and bathroom (manufacturer, models). If you have not yet made specific material decisions, we can make suggestions. In that case, it helps to define the general style (e.g., Scandinavian minimalist, Alpine cozy, urban loft character).

Especially for exterior visualizations, the surroundings are crucial. Provide us with the following information: Photos of the current surroundings (neighboring buildings, street, vegetation), details of planned landscape design (garden planning, forecourt design, access), information about neighboring buildings (will they remain or also be altered?), and site topography (contour lines, terrain sections). If a landscape architect is involved, we can incorporate their planning directly. The more realistically the surroundings are depicted, the more convincing the overall visualization will be.

Transparency about timeline and budget helps us set the right priorities. Share with us: When do you need the final images? Are there milestones (e.g., investor presentation, sales launch)? How many revision rounds are planned? What is the available budget? At Mirae, we work with a structured process: briefing, modeling, drafts, revisions, final renderings. For a standard project (2-3 views), you should plan for two to three weeks lead time. Express projects are available by arrangement.

A thorough brief is the best investment in a successful architectural visualization. It saves time, reduces costs from revision rounds, and ensures the result meets — or exceeds — your expectations. At Mirae, we support our clients with a briefing checklist and are available for questions at any time. Leverage our experience: the better we understand your project, the better the visualization will be.