“My experience with Nordic Render confirmed my understanding that if you provide the service provider with the most accurate input and requirements possible, the result will be fast, high quality, reasonably priced and as expected – and that is exactly what we achieved through our collaboration.”
– Jüri Laur from Sungarden Design
About the client
Sungarden Design is a design and manufacturing company based in Pärnu, Estonia, that produces planters and bench seats for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The young company is ambitious and wants to expand its product range and move into foreign markets through continuous product development and cooperation.
Client request
Sungarden Design approached Nordic Render 3D creative agency with a request for product photos to realise their new idea. “After weighing up the various companies offering this service, I remember very clearly my first informative and pleasant telephone conversation with Helen, Nordic Render’s project manager, and it became quite clear that Nordic Render’s services were exactly what I needed,” describes Jüri Laur from Sungarden Design.
Why did the client decide to request 3D images?
Jüri explains: “I decided to go for 3D product photography because I was too critical about taking product photos of my design products (planters) with a photo camera. I shot my photos here and there with different cameras and backgrounds, but still something was missing (angle of light, shadows, background characteristics and quality). After a conversation with Nordic Render, it became clear (ed.) that it was easy to create background visuals from product photos, including filling planters with beautiful plants that fit the context, there was no question about the need for 3D product photos – I needed them.”
The initial query from the client
Sungarden Design provided Nordic Render with existing product images and detailed product descriptions – colour codes, material, dimensions and accessories. The client also had a clear vision of what position and background they wanted to see their products in. It was easy for Nordic Render’s designer to get a good idea of what the client wanted in order to get started.
Nordic Render’s proposal to the client
It’s always a pleasure when we can help a client and surprise them with different possibilities and solutions that can be done to meet their wishes. For Sungarden Design we were also able to suggest different options, which the client felt the need for. Jüri’s comment on Nordic Render’s proposals: “I was also offered the opportunity to have 360 degree rotatable product photos, which is definitely a need and a desire in my business.”
Stages of cooperation
Helen, the project manager, describes the project as follows: “Understanding the client’s wishes and clarifying ideas is a process. In the Nordic Render team, the process of understanding the client and identifying the client’s needs usually starts with an introduction to the client’s product, service or activity. As a result of the analysis, we are able to make recommendations based on our long-term experience and to pass on our own ideas and thoughts to the client. With Sungarden Design, we had the opportunity to introduce the client to the possibilities and charms of the 3D world, and the client was very enthusiastic. As a result, we were able to create 3D models of the product for the client and visualise them in the form of studio images, configurator images as well as beauty images with unique backgrounds. As we are focused on speeding up and enhancing our clients’ sales process, it is a pleasure to be able to put our skills and experience to maximum use for the benefit of the client.”
Final result
A good and a very good end result and the way in which it is achieved is always highly individual. We are usually approached when there is a pressing need for sales material/ 3D visuals, so time is always a critical and sometimes not the most pleasant factor in our work. The first collaboration is usually rather more time-consuming, as we get to know the specifics of the product and the client’s more specific wishes. “As Sungarden Design wanted to launch their own website and use the visuals we had created on the website, the time pressure was not very strong and I believe that, all things considered, the completion of the project can be considered reasonable,” explains Helen.
Customer feedback
Sungarden Design’s comment on the cooperation: “I was satisfied with the service provided by Nordic Render, the communication was pleasant and emails were answered quickly. When it was necessary to make changes or additions to the images, they were responded to promptly and in the case of my products, we were able to get even the smallest details right and the result was very true to the original. I really like Nordic Render’s pricing policy of charging by the actual hours spent – it’s the most honest and transparent for both parties. Nordic Render has so far fulfilled all of my requests and I have received extremely high quality, true-to-life product photos and photos with background visuals. My experience with Nordic Render has confirmed my understanding that if you provide the service provider with the most accurate requirements and inputs possible, the result will be fast, high quality, reasonably priced and as expected – which is exactly what we got through our collaboration.”
We, the Nordic Render team, will also remember the cooperation for its positive and respectful atmosphere. “The conversation with Jüri, the representative of Sungarden Design, was above all an example of good input and exchange of information and ideas. We always try to emphasise that we are first and foremost a cooperation partner, not just a service provider. It is therefore extremely important that the client also thinks along from the very first moment,” recalls Helen.
3 tips for writing an initial query
We are very pleased to see that many clients, including Sungarden Design, understand the importance of providing detailed background information. Unfortunately, however, our Nordic Render designers still come across the opposite examples, where information is not sufficient or incomplete. This is followed by numerous correspondences that are time consuming and extend the deadline for project completion. If the designer is unable to take all the necessary details into account due to poor initial information, the client’s vision may differ significantly from the designer’s. In order to avoid misunderstandings and additional time, we would like to share three tips to think about when writing the brief next time.
These tips are shared by Nordic Render’s designers:
1. Communicate your wish or idea visually
Most of our designers made the point that the client could enrich their requests with specifications and images. This means having a drawing, a sketch, a 3D model or, in their absence, searching the internet for images that match your vision. One of our designers recommends using Pinterest as an example for image searches, “it’s one of the best places in my opinion, full of good examples,” she adds. If you don’t have any visual examples and can’t draw a sketch freehand, we suggest you to be very specific with your ideas. This could include a general concept, a specific description of the expected end result, and details you would definitely like to see in your image.
Of course, visualising a product is different from visualising an interior design, for example. In the case of a product, the details are more precise, meaning that there are specific dimensions, materials, positions that the product already has. In the case of interior design, or the background of an image, for example, it would be good to share with the designer a moodboard, examples of finishing materials, colour shades, furniture samples, and so on.
2. Identify the details that are most important to you
The designer can find it very helpful to include comments, requirements, observations, for example, highlighted by arrows or circles. In this way, the designer can understand exactly what the place or detail is and can take it into account.
If you don’t have a clear vision and want to give the designer a free hand, remember that the designer has a huge choice of different styles, objects, colours to choose from. However, it would be a good idea to give the designer some kind of framework so that he or she can navigate this immense world according to your wishes. These huge possibilities can be described as a large grocery store – if the designer has a shopping list, i.e. your detailed initial query, he or she will at least be able to walk to the right aisle in the store. That way, the designer doesn’t have to worry that the customer won’t be completely unhappy with the shopping basket he or she has chosen.
3. Avoid writing feedback with irrelevant information
If there is a situation where the first version made by the designer needs changes, write out the points that need to be changed as separate bullet points. Also, add circles or arrows to the designer’s version to indicate where inaccuracies occur. Be absolutely sure of this when submitting your initial information, and you will save yourself time, nerves and money.
Image 4: 3D image of the urban background at the end of the project. Source: Nordic Render private collection 2024