Recent studies consistently rank architecture among the top 10 most challenging majors to pursue. This comes as no surprise, given the dual demands of art and science inherent in this field. The physical toll of drawing and rendering projects leaves little room for students to earn income. Common income streams for Bangladeshi students, such as tutoring, require a level of commitment that may be overly taxing. Consequently, many students turn to graphic design, a market that is now saturated. While this market is gradually shifting from video editing to animation, Architecture majors have an advantage due to their essential skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, SketchUp, Blender, or AutoCAD. Here are 5 niches with a demand in the international freelance market that Bangladeshi students can tap into:
Furniture Designing:
A beginner-friendly entry into 2D and 3D design, custom furniture enjoys significant demand in the freelance market. Whether for interiors or backyard projects, solving challenges such as creating a child-friendly ergonomic design, considering the habits of children placing their bags on the floor and water bottles beside paper, can be intrinsically rewarding.
Real Estate Simulation:
Brochures for apartment complexes often feature both the visualisation of an unfinished project and photographs of completed ones. The latter tends to omit any unwanted subjects or lighting issues. The same applies to project videos. Achieved through 3D rendering from existing photographs and videos, students can leverage this skill for networking opportunities, given its proximity to their career.
3D Mockup Selling:
Mockups are typically downloaded in PSD file format, and the desired design is applied to create a prototype look of the product or packaging. However, someone needs to create the rotatable, editable 3D file first. These editable 3D models can be showcased on platforms like Etsy or CGTrader for sale on a commission per download basis. Some platforms also facilitate direct artist-client connections for customization, paving the way for additional deals.
Product Photography:
Extending the skill of mockup design, students can offer stunning product photography without the production cost of a studio. 3D virtual product photography allows users to capture unlimited shots in any setting, environment, or angle. By integrating Adobe Photoshop, artists can elevate their work by placing it in a whitespace or lifestyle scene.
Brand Activation:
With the rise of experiential marketing, major brands are seeking more innovative designs for their activation booths. Those with 3D rendering skills can easily compete with traditional designers by presenting booth and element concepts that showcase an elaborate vision of how they will complement the event site.
These niches not only foster creativity but also contribute to building a robust portfolio. As challenging as these projects may be, they open up opportunities for aspiring architects across various industries.