CGI – A Great Deal for Both the Environment and You
CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) is becoming an essential tool for businesses that need high-quality product images. It offers an alternative to traditional photoshoots, reducing costs, saving time, and providing a more efficient way to create product visuals. But beyond its practical benefits, CGI also plays a significant role in helping businesses reduce their environmental impact. In this article, we will explore how CGI is a great deal for both the environment and businesses like yours. We’ll also explain how CGI helps companies comply with the GS1 Image Standard, create Images for GS1, and meet the guidelines of GS1 USA.
What is CGI?
CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) is the process of creating images using computer software instead of physical photography. CGI allows businesses to design and render realistic images of their products without needing to set up a physical photoshoot. This technology makes it possible to generate high-quality product visuals quickly and cost-effectively, especially for companies that need to meet specific image standards, such as the GS1 Image Standard.
By using CGI, businesses can eliminate the need for props, studio rentals, and even physical products. Everything is created digitally, giving companies more control over the final image and reducing the environmental footprint of traditional photography methods.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Photography
Traditional photography has been the go-to method for creating product images for decades. However, it comes with several environmental costs. Below are some ways that traditional photoshoots impact the environment:
- Transportation: Getting products to and from a shoot location requires transportation, which results in CO2 emissions. For larger products like furniture, multiple trucks may be required, increasing the environmental impact.
- Energy Usage: Setting up a photoshoot often involves lighting, heating, and sometimes air conditioning, all of which consume energy. Large-scale photoshoots can require extensive energy use over several hours or even days.
- Materials and Waste: Photoshoots often involve creating temporary setups with props, backdrops, and other materials that may only be used once. This can result in significant waste after the shoot is over.
- Packaging and Shipping: Products that need to be photographed are often packaged and shipped multiple times, especially if the business needs to transport them to different locations for shoots. This adds to the overall carbon footprint.
How CGI Helps the Environment?
Using CGI offers businesses an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional photography. Here’s how CGI helps reduce environmental impact:
- No Transportation Needed: Since CGI is entirely digital, there’s no need to transport products to a shoot location. Businesses can generate images from their product designs without the need for physical models, eliminating the CO2 emissions that come from transportation.
- Reduced Energy Use: CGI requires minimal energy compared to traditional photoshoots. There’s no need to rent studios, set up lighting, or run other equipment for hours at a time. Everything is done on a computer, making it a far more energy-efficient process.
- Elimination of Physical Waste: With CGI, there’s no need for temporary props or backdrops that will be discarded after the shoot. The entire process is digital, which means less waste and fewer materials used.
- Lower Packaging and Shipping Requirements: Because there’s no need to physically transport products, CGI cuts down on packaging and shipping. This reduces the materials used for packaging and the energy required for transportation, further lowering a company’s carbon footprint.
How CGI Benefits Businesses?
In addition to its environmental advantages, CGI offers several practical benefits for businesses. Here’s how CGI can help companies save time, money, and resources:
1. Cost Savings
Traditional photoshoots come with a long list of expenses, from hiring photographers to renting studio space and paying for transport. With CGI, businesses can avoid these costs entirely. CGI services typically charge a flat fee for creating digital images, which is far less expensive than a traditional photoshoot. Over time, using CGI can save businesses thousands of dollars.
2. Faster Turnaround
Organizing a photoshoot takes time. From booking locations to coordinating schedules and setting up equipment, the process can take weeks. With CGI, companies can receive high-quality images in as little as 48 hours. This is especially useful for businesses that need images quickly for product launches or marketing campaigns.
3. Consistency in Images
One of the challenges of traditional photography is ensuring consistency across multiple product images. Lighting, backgrounds, and angles can vary from shoot to shoot. With CGI, companies can maintain complete control over these elements. This ensures that all product images are consistent, which is essential for meeting standards like the GS1 Image Standard.
4. Flexibility
CGI allows businesses to make changes to their product images easily. Want to see your product in a different setting or adjust the lighting? With CGI, you can make these changes with just a few clicks, without having to reshoot the product. This flexibility saves both time and money.
How CGI Meets the GS1 Image Standard?
1. White Background Requirement
The GS1 Image Standard requires product images to have a plain white background. CGI makes it easy to create images with a clean, white background, eliminating the need for post-production editing.
2. High Resolution
The GS1 Image Standard specifies that product images must meet certain resolution requirements. For example, square images typically need to be 2400px by 2400px. CGI allows businesses to create images that meet these exact specifications, ensuring compliance with GS1 guidelines.
3. Multiple Views
Some products require multiple views to meet GS1 standards, such as front, side, and top views. With CGI, businesses can generate these views easily by adjusting the digital model. This ensures that all required angles are captured and that the images are consistent.
How CGI Works for Product Images?
As more businesses look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and improve efficiency, CGI is likely to play an increasingly important role in product image creation. Not only does CGI offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional photoshoots, but it also provides businesses with the flexibility and cost savings they need to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced market.
For businesses that need to comply with standards like the GS1 Image Standard, CGI offers a reliable and efficient way to create product images that meet these requirements. And as CGI technology continues to improve, the quality of these images will only get better.
The Future of CGI in Business
As more businesses look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and improve efficiency, CGI is likely to play an increasingly important role in product image creation. Not only does CGI offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional photoshoots, but it also provides businesses with the flexibility and cost savings they need to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced market.
For businesses that need to comply with standards like the GS1 Image Standard, CGI offers a reliable and efficient way to create product images that meet these requirements. And as CGI technology continues to improve, the quality of these images will only get better.
Conclusion
CGI offers a practical solution for businesses that want to save time, reduce costs, and minimize their environmental impact. By eliminating the need for traditional photoshoots, CGI reduces transportation, energy usage, and waste, making it a great deal for both businesses and the environment. Additionally, CGI helps businesses comply with the GS1 Image Standard, ensuring that their product images meet industry guidelines. Visit i-magi.co today to learn how it can help you create stunning product images while reducing your environmental impact.
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