“It looks AMAZING! Shimahara has been absolutely exceptional on our projects — by far the best viz firm I have ever worked with."
GENSLER, NYC
Film is more than a medium — it’s a language that artistically shapes how we see, feel, and connect with the world. Film influences design, photography, and architecture, redefining how stories are told and spaces are experienced. To call something cinematic is to recognize its universal capacity to engage, transport, and elicit emotion. At Shimahara Visual, we understand this language and we harness it to push the boundaries of visual media. This is our Cinematic Advantage — an approach that expands ideas into experiences, places into narratives, and brands into something unforgettable.
Some stories need to be felt, not just told. Film has the power to transport, framing a vision through time, light, and motion. We see cinematic storytelling as an art form—blending composition, emotion, and precision to create films that immerse, leaving a lasting impact on every viewer.
A brand is not just what it looks like, it’s how it makes people feel. It’s the emotional architecture behind every interaction, shaping perception, building trust, and transforming vision into connection. We craft narratives with clarity and purpose, ensuring brands don’t just exist; they resonate, inspire, and endure.
An idea becomes real the moment it’s seen. Illustration transforms abstract concepts into tangible visions, bridging the gap between imagination and reality. We capture their essence, creating visuals that inspire belief, emotion, and anticipation long before the first foundation is laid.
Seeing is no longer enough; now, we step inside. Virtual and Mixed Reality dissolve the line between vision and experience, allowing audiences to explore spaces before they exist. We create immersive worlds that invite exploration, deepen engagement, and redefine how we tell spatial stories.
AC Martin
AECOM
Alexandria Real Estate Equities
Asana Partners
Bentall Green Oak
Biomed Realty
Bond Companies
BXP
Brandywine Realty Trust
Brookfield
CallisonRTKL
CBRE
Compass
CV Properties
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Ennead Architects
ERYC Architects
Federal Realty
Fisher Brothers
Foster + Partners
Gehry Partners
Gensler
Greatland Realty Partners
Grimshaw Architects
Hackman Capital Partners
Handel Architects
Healthpeak
Hines
HKS
HLW International
HNTB
HOK
Hudson Pacific Properties
IMT Capital
Jerde Partnership
JLL
John M. Corcoran & Co.
Johnson Fain
KFA
Kilroy Realty
KingSett Capital
LCOR
Lightstone
Live Nation
LOWE Real Estate
LPA
Macerich
Millennium Partners
Montalba Architects
Moore Ruble Yudell
Morphosis
NBBJ
Oxford Properties
P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S
Perkins Eastman
Perkins & Will
Rafael Viñoly Architects
RIOS
Related
RXR Realty
Shigeru Ban Architects
SmithGroup
Silverstein Properties
Skanska
SOM
Steelwave
Stonebridge Companies
Studios Architecture
The Ratkovich Company
Trammell Crow
Westfield Group
ZGF Architects
We believe that good art is a given, but that good form is the difference. Our clients trust in our fierce pursuit of cinematic architectural
Craig Shimahara, founder of Shimahara Visual, merges architecture, film, and storytelling to shape unbuilt environments. A UCLA-trained architect and 2020 AIA LA honoree, he leads with a commitment to design excellence and a passion for immersive storytelling.
As Chief Creative Officer at Shimahara Visual, Elizabeth Parker weaves photography, film, and architecture into immersive narratives. Her cinematic instincts and artistic eye drive Shimahara’s storytelling-led approach to branding and architectural visualization.
As Studio Director at Shimahara Visual, Brett brings a sharp eye for design, strategy, and storytelling. With deep expertise in architectural visualization, he bridges artistic vision and business goals, guiding projects with creativity, precision, and a cinematic sensibility.
Favorite film: 42
As Studio Director of Shimahara Visual’s New York office, Brian Martinez brings a filmmaker’s eye to architectural storytelling. He blends cinematography, branding, and media to craft compelling narratives and strengthen client relationships across the East Coast.
As Branding Director at Shimahara Visual, Mark Villanueva shapes bold narratives. A UCLA-trained architect and classical pianist, he merges strategy, design, and storytelling with a cinematic sensibility inspired by Dieter Rams, Rem Koolhaas, and retro-futurism.
With 15+ years in computer graphics, Chase leads operations at Shimahara Visual, uniting art and tech to drive innovation. A Los Angeles native with a background in computer science, he brings precision, creativity, and local insight to every project.
