In our virtual models webinar, 77% of attendees stated they had spent time researching and looking into the use of virtual models.
Virtual models are still a relatively new concept, often sparking a mixture of predictions on how they’ll affect the industry long-term. But as they find their place, the scenarios in which they'd provide great benefit are becoming clear. In this article, we’ll explain more about virtual models, explore a few potential use cases and hopefully put a few minds at ease along the way.
What is a virtual model?
A virtual model is a three-dimensional, lifelike representation of a person that is entirely computer generated. Also referred to as avatars, their features, body shape and skin tone can be specified to your brand's requirements. They can be rendered into virtual scenes and even the lighting can be manipulated to achieve your desired aesthetic. Despite the adoption of this technology being in its infancy, the realistic appearance of some virtual models make them almost indistinguishable from real people.
AI Vs. CGI virtual models
Photo realistic virtual models can be made using a variety of 3D modeling software and tools but the two main routes are AI or CGI.
AI virtual models: The recent advancement and availability of AI has made the creation of virtual models more accessible, requiring less specialist skills to create the initial model. But anyone who’s used generative AI will understand that taming it can be tricky. Getting to grips with AI tools and learning how to engineer the correct prompts takes time and you may find yourself compromising on your desired results or frustrated at the lack of control in comparison to using CGI.
CGI virtual models: Creating virtual models with CGI (computer-generated imagery) software is the more hands-on approach, requiring a level of skill and artistry to operate, meaning brands will have to work with specialists. But in doing so, they will gain meticulous control of every aspect of the model’s design. Fast-tracking your way to a virtual model with the desired look to suit your brand will save you hours, if not days, of trial and error with generative AI. In CGI software, a virtual model's appearance only needs to be created once and posing can come later, avoiding the potentially inconsistent results often associated with generative AI.
The benefits of using virtual models in e-commerce
The integration of virtual models into e-commerce workflows offers a number of advantages:
- Quick Turnaround Time: Once a virtual model is created, it can be reused, adapted and outfitted with a few clicks. Saving time and reducing the need for new photoshoots. This allows brands to respond to trends or stock shortages quickly.
- Cost-Effectiveness: By reducing the need for physical photoshoots, travel, and other associated costs, virtual models can help you cut down on expenses.
- Unleashed creativity: Virtual models can be customized infinitely. Brands can change a model’s outfit, pose, or entire environment in a few moments. This level of flexibility allows for more creative experimentation without the constraints of traditional photoshoots or even physical possibilities!
- Consistency: Virtual models can be replicated with the same lighting, poses and angles across different product pages, offering a uniform appearance across your e-commerce platform.
- Sustainability: By removing the need for travel to destinations or the studio, virtual models can help your brand reduce its carbon footprint.
Are virtual models right for my brand?
We don’t expect everyone to read this blog and rush to get their first virtual model designed! The truth is, virtual models won’t be for everyone but there are a variety of use cases in which they can benefit brands with a unique solution. Here are just a few:
Scenario 1: A brand that only displays products on an invisible mannequin but is looking to elevate their PDP pages can add their outfits to a virtual model with a few clicks. A cost and time-effective alternative to weeks or months shooting in the studio.
Scenario 2: Brands spend a huge amount of time and money on improving their customers' e-commerce experience with personalization. An effective personalization tool is product suggestions, these can be based on customer behavior or product outfitting options.
If a product has been photographed on a human model and outfitted with an item that has gone out of stock, you are no longer able to offer accurate outfitting options on that PDP, this can be frustrating for customers.
With virtual models, if an outfitting item goes out of stock, you can swap it without the need to reshoot which can be both time-consuming and costly. Simply update your virtual models outfit from the comfort of your desk and upload, ensuring your PDPs are optimized with outfitting options to offer the best shopping experience and maximize sales.
Scenario 3: E-commerce sites that sell one-off or low-volume pieces, such as reselling sites, can benefit from the use of virtual models. The resources required to coordinate and photograph the correct size model to sell a single unit would leave you with little or no margin. With virtual models in your workflow, simply capture the outfit, drop it onto your virtual model, upload and sell!
Watch our recent webinar titled Are Virtual Models the Future? If you’d like to find out more about the use cases and benefits of virtual models.
Is this the end?!
Of the blog? Yes… Well, almost!
Of production studios and the world of e-commerce as we know it? We highly doubt it!
Virtual models may not be for every brand and we don’t expect them to take over the industry. Like past advances within the industry, something new comes along that seems like cheating or outright scary! Then a little time passes and we embrace the change or it finds its place alongside the ways we’ve always done things, often complementing our original workflows. We certainly don’t see virtual models replacing the beautiful humans that grace e-commerce platforms or the make-up artists, studio professionals and photographers that put them there! We see virtual models as another tool in the kit to help e-commerce brands optimize workflows, increase creativity and boost sales.
What are your thoughts? Join the conversation on Linkedin.