Are E-Design services functional? | Day in the life RCD

Hello RCD readers,

As you know we offer E-design services. This all started during Covid 19.  

OUR E-SERVICES: 

RC Designs Architectural Studio biedt een online cliënt-architect communicatie platform om een ​​transparant medium te creëren. Momenteel wordt hiermee bedoeld online google formulieren voor intake gesprekken, voor questionnaires tbv project informatie, ontwerpen (2D en 3D model) en de nodige informatie tbv bouwvergunning aanvraag proces. Onze medium is Email en WhatsApp. Onze betalingskeuze is via bank (geen cash of Mope).

Onze diensten: 

A. Full Site Visit 

B. E-Designs (2D & 3D model)

C. Building Preparation (Bestek, begroting en bouwplanning)

D. Advice & Consultation (ontwerpvergadering, -presentaties en bouwvergunning proces)

Onze google formulieren: 

1: Online Intake Gesprek

2: Full Site Visit (nieuwbouw-renovatie-herindeling-uitbreiding)

3A: Design Project

3B:  E-Design (Exterior)

3C: E-Design (Interior)

3D: Bouwvergunning

RC Designs Architectural Studio N.V. Diensten

Now the big question are E-Design services functional?

I'm going to make it easy and give two experiences ; a succes and a miss. And why both went that way. Both projects were when I worked for companies.

Biggest Fail 

This was a redesign and addition for a house. The client wanted a one on one consult with the measuring during the site visit before hand. We discussed personally. But because the client gave me an indecisive vibe. I made sure to sent a report of our conversation. Plus the discussed wishes. I drew what was asked. And the client was unable or not wanting to cooperate with my choice of medium. And that was mailing. The client kept calling and recording with corrections. When the corrections were made with a report of the new additional wishes. The client kept correcting. I had to make clear now that the additional correction will cost because it was the fith correction. The client did not want to pay for the additions and ended up saying we were not in definitive stage yet. 

This was a huge sign that the client was not ready for e-design services and also unable to articulate what they wanted. Not via recordings nor via mail. Which included the client not getting a design they wanted and me being underpaid. The client underestimated my knowledge which made it also hard to explain the design. They weren't comfortable to ask the hard questions. Just too scared to make them feel like they are dumb. So questions never asked. And design never thoroughly understood. 

Biggest accomplishment

The client wanted a new design for a house. They were in Netherlands and came one trip to Suriname so we could've discussed the site. The first consultation was online.  The client knew the prices and the procedure. We had made an appointment to make they knew the needed documents that they had to get. Plus their wishes were discussed online before they came. The site visit went smooth. The preliminary design went smooth because each phase of the project they received a report of what was going on. Including the construction phase and the entire design phase. The additions were mailed back and forth on a weekly basis until the definitive design was made. 

Because the client needed had trust in my knowledge the design process and most important the online aspect went smooth. The client also felt comfortable to ask questions that they find dumb which meant. They understood what was going on each step. The client also knew what they needed out of the design. Which made the wishes clear.

So E- Designs can be really functional?

- it's transparent; you have written and recorded proof consistently of the entire process. You can always go back and double check on both side. Which means disagreements are minimized because you can always check what was discussed.

- it's a true collaboration; With the most important plus say what you don't want on the go during the design phase and not after finished project.

- it's on your free; time we are busy people mailing ; free time recordings : clips are perfect ways to communicate without leaving your work or house. And easy to check on your free time. 

- it's the new way of communicating

I still believe this is the new way of designing.  But I still do offer first consult one on one during site visit. Because people want to know who they will be working with. And that is important. 

Interested in our services?

Ask for an inquiry, online appointment or E-consult

Here's our contact info

WhatsApp: (+597) 845-8504

Email address: rcdesigns2016@hotmail.com