[saslandscape]

Jody- I wish I was as fast as you! Do you use the Blender for the chartpak? I have one, but still haven't learned how to use it yet. Gorgeous plan you did. Wish I could get a blueprint machine but the smell is a little too much. How long did it take you to design that project?

[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.

[Chris Heiler]

I'm trying to put one of my renderings on here. I really had to compress the image. Hopefully this works...

Just a note- the house, garage and pool are existing.

[jshilan]

Hey Chris,

I just wanted to let you know that the drawing you posted is fantastic. The colors have a wonderful pastel quality to them. The plan is very easy to understand and I especially like the perspectives. They really give you a sense of what the spaces are going to feel like.

How are you creating your drawings (software, color, etc)?

Do you build what you design? The entry looks like a lot of serious masonry work, especially if it is wet laid.

I really enjoy seeing other peoples plans, graphics and design styles. Ironically, after college, you don't really get to see what anyone else is doing. So if anyone else can post their design work I think we can all benefit from seeing them. (The good news is that no one can put any "red lines" through them.)

Great work Chris and thanks for sharing.

[Chris Heiler]

Thanks for the kind comments Jody.

To answer your question, all my drafting is done in cad and then the color is added by hand. This is an example of a Conceptual Plan- these are the only plans I add color to.

My assistant actually rendered this plan. I just don't have the time so I have him do it. Actually, since he has been doing the rendering, we've been doing more and more color rendering and perspective drawing for other designers and contractors. Designers from anywhere in the country can outsource the rendering to us. It's kind of fun.

Regarding construction, I act as the general contractor on my projects. This gives me much more design freedom. I work with a great mason who will build that entry shown on the plan.