A look behind the scenes at virtual collaboration between our interior design team and clients.
2020 was a year of firsts! We were presented with the challenges of working remotely and navigating a new virtual world. For the most part the shift was seamless and painless. Although one aspect became more of a challenge than most – being able to present and discuss finishes and materials to a client in person.
These interactions are key to fostering trust and collaboration between the designer and the client as we share our design concepts and provide contextual meaning to how finishes and materials are applied within the spaces.
Digital renderings and virtual-reality programs have created realistic versions of the physical world, but they cannot replace it. This is none so true when trying to depict subtle nuances in colors and how they complement or contrast one another. Missing in a virtual world is the ability to appreciate various textures, qualities, tactile experiences, and understanding unique properties such as softness, durability, strength, imperviousness etc. recommended for the application.
Recently I was faced with this challenge of presenting the finishes and materials virtually for the MRI Suite at South Shore Hospital. I needed to create a clear and easily identifiable system for the client to focus and not become overwhelmed by all the selections and make it an interactive presentation with involvement from all.
- A yellow dot with a unique number was placed on each colorway and material and packaged together and shipped to the client. Where choices were given an A or B code was used.
- Duplicate samples were with me at home. For the virtual presentation, digital material boards and colored plans, elevations and renderings were presented using the numbered yellow dots to identify what color and material was what.
- Referencing the virtual images, the client pulled together the physical samples and understand how they work together within each environment.
It ended up being a successful virtual-real effort, and as a result the client approved the colorways and materials on the first go and we are successfully completing our construction documents with the design intact as presented.