[jshilan]

The drawing that I posted is one that I use for displays at garden centers, mason supply yards, trade shows and as my general marketing piece to generate design business. I also use it as my presentation plan to the client whether it is a homeowner or contractor. Because of this it has a little more work into it then I usually do on my plans (roof lines, stippling etc.). Otherwise it is my standard plan.

Most of the plans I do range from 6 hours to 12 hours (including travel etc) and are usually properties 1/2 acre to an acre in size. I probably spend 1/2 of my time driving to the house, doing the site analysis, printing pictures and creating a job folder. After so many years, and so many built projects the design process has become relatively quick. It is no longer a question of how it can be done, but rather which way do you want to do it.

Because I have been in design/build for so long, from being a contractor to now just designing for contractors, I have a design and drawing style that has most of the information that you would need to build it. They are very good layout plans that can be built by a qualified contractor. I don't have construction details or grades, although I shoot spot elevations during my site analysis so I know what's really going on. I also label the plants generically, but don't include a plant list because this is something that I feel should only be in the contract (I have very valid reasons).

I have developed a landscape design production process for everything that I do from doing the site analysis the day I meet the client and get the deposit (reducing travel time) to simplifying my graphic style and using the same 20 markers for my plans. I teach a landscape graphics class at a community college and I take students with little to no skill, to be able to produce drawings that look similar to mine, within only 1 semester. They take longer then I do but that's ok.

As far as the blender goes, I don't use it. Mike Lin, who taught me my rendering style, was very big on having colors that jump out at you. His philosophy was that the blender just muted everything, and naturally I agree. I developed the color palette over the years to give my plans a water color feel. Almost every symbol has two colors and the lawn areas get two "coats" of celery.

The great thing about this rendering style is that you don't have to stay "in the lines". It was designed to be fast. Most of the plan is freehanded, except for buildings and property lines, which keeps things moving.

I could go on for hours but I have two drawings that I need to finish by tomorrow.

Thanks for the positive feedback. I appreciate it.