People in architectural visualisation - 5 questions to ask before commissioning an image.

Some visualisers think images without people 'lack life', some think it's the cheesiest trick in 'storytelling'. But facts are facts: architects and developers often ask for people in architectural images and the trend doesn't seem to pass.

Using people in images was tremendously overused at some point and got a really bad reputation of a crutch for bad or non-existent design. But the truth is that people can be very helpful for understanding the concept, if only done right.

We are programmed to scan for people's faces and silhouettes, which makes it a great visual hook that sends us some subconscious messages:

People in images send us subconscious messages

When used correctly, people in the images can help understand:

• the scale of the project

• the demographics for which the project is intended

• the functionality ( for example, placing people next to the open door or on the stairs can help understand the circulation)

• the vibe/business (the same space can be perceived either as a bustling with life public park or semi-private gardens, depending on how many people we will place)

• extra property selling points (balconies, playgrounds)

But there is a flipside to the fact that people are a great visual hook - they can easily distract the viewer from an actual design.

So if you decide you need people in the image, make sure you use them as strategically as possible and that they enhance the storytelling of your design instead of becoming a story.

Here is a list of 5 questions to help you determine if you need people in your image at all. The answers will also help you determine WHERE you may need them: