[ALEX P]

better yet

http://www.designboom.com

[ALEX P]

and your a bed bug

[ALEX P]

Looks like at least some people care about what I do. 

[ALEX P]

oh trust me, im on there as well. 

[ALEX P]

confidence is the key to success. 

[ALEX P]

finally someone on here actually has a tactful response, i recede in your favour. 

[ALEX P]

‘natural’

i say it in quotes because i was taught never to use the word ‘natural’ because it means something different to everyone.  You’re just as mean/opinionated/aggressive as me. 

[ALEX P]

That was quite possibly the rudest thing i have ever heard (even from myself).  I AM a designer. Maybe im not some backyard-weekend-warrier, but I am a fine graphic designer, landscape designer, et cetera.  I mean lets be serious, how did Robert Ross get drug into this mess? Im confused how listening to Jamie or you Mr. Anthony will determine my life pursuit?  This thread has already steered away from its desired path.  I give up.  No one cares about good design, type faces, good layouts, et cetera.  They all have to take a back seat to something else, because they “waste too much time” or “firms don’t care”  Well Mr. Anthony, I would like you to just examine one (maybe two for good measure) mega firms, in any discipline.  I think they care about all the things i have mentioned above, and look where they are at.  I think ill stick my nose down, and shoot for the (mega) stars. 

[ALEX P]

yes in 1950!

[ALEX P]

opinions are called that for a reason.  im an addict.  yes i need a mac and helvetica (neue) because i like their effects.  true, i lack real world experience, in some things. but that should not constitute my passion for good design.  is that something that gets beaten out of you when you get experience? if so, count me out!!  I care a lot about good design.  I only use this one typeface, so i dont think about it all the time, just like we all know auto-cad by heart, and dont have to look up/ waste time searching for how to draw a poly line (it’s pl by the way).  The main thing that i hate about lin-scaping is that is is so over prescribed.  i will reiterate what i said in another response.  It was those lin-scapes that got me interested in LA.  so im not knocking the master, per se. Lana, i grew up on a pc, so i dont think they are worthless.  I use microsoft word everyday, so im far from a mac-oholic. 

One side bar:  sometimes you have to be repetitive to get some menial point across.  How many times did you have to hear about the benefits of permeable pavers, native plants, storm water recharge before you started implementing them?  im guessing more than once. Helvetica is my knight in shining armour for a much larger design issue.  im not some trendy hipster who works at american apparel. I truly believe in this stuff. 

[ALEX P]

*PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IS JUST AN OPINION

hate is a strong word reserved solely for papyrus and bad design. (not an opinion)

I think you may want to have a bit more hierarchy, and lose the colour boxes.  Your maps are portrait, so i would still persuade you to use portrait layout.  Also, no offense, but it feels a bit like a powerpoint presentation. maybe its the microsofty outlines.  also, the awkard center spacing really makes the content seem weird.  left justified seems like the most releveant sort of justification.  

try using helvetica (or arial if using a pc) for the heading. (did i just say that?)

there is also a lack of consistency with in your maps, sometimes the title is within the wierd boxes, sometimes its not. the same thing goes for the scales THIS IS YOUR TICKET INTO A FIRM, it needs to be perfect!  little things can send a very strong message.  is butter the right message for these maps? probably not!

in regards to the languaged used, it seems very elementery (maybe thats a good thing?) starting each paragraph with “in this map” seems a little um.. you need to concisly articulated each subtext.  hence me saying dont use text, this is the prime reason.  Just say “combination of x y and z” or “conservation areas, trails, et al” Im sure you get my point.  

as it stands now, the maps which im assuming you did a lot of work on, get lost in a sea of buttery text.  Nothing is lined up, nothing is consistent and your eye has no where to go / understanding of what to look at.  

i think with some (lots) work, you can wrangle this into something you are proud of, and most importantly confident about.  that is really the key. 

Helpful hints:

1. simplfy this page (see my markups)

2. line things up

3. heirarchy of text (headings/subtext)

4. remove the butter boxes/ weird exterior box – screams powerpoint!

5. re-do the maps so they are all consistent (scales and titles in the same spot)

6. think about flow (what do the following/previous pages look like?)

7. no hyp-hen-ation!!!!!!!!!!!

8. use guides and grids – they are your friends

9. reduce file size.. that pages is massive! my entire portfolio is 1.5 mb. !

10. dont throw things together, its sloppy. 

im sure some people on here will tell you that what you have is fine and to not listen to me.  However through all my opinions i believe that i have some valid points.  keep us updated roland. 

[ALEX P]

I never once mentioned some pin sharp photo realistic rendering.  Im not wasting my time screwing around with typefaces.  I only use 1, helvetica neue.  So i can spend more time thinking about design.   As mentioned in another thread, Im not working at a LA firm, per se because i think LA has more to offer and just firm work. (just say’n) 

[ALEX P]

I attempted to start another forum entry about graphics and their importance, and many of the people commenting on that thread belittled the very importance of graphics.  I am very confused, some say yes they are important other say no.  I get the foundations stuff.  I took drawing 101 at college.  I understand the need to communicate ideas quickly and effectively.  However, like sketchup, many use this as a final product.  So that is where I am drawing my confusion and dislike.  Its called sketchup,not final product up.  I enjoy looking at these sketch renderings, and yes am a bit jealous that I cant ‘be loose’.  In fact it was one of those EDSA renderings that got me interested in LA (very topical i know).  However once I found out that my school was not going to teach us how to draw like that, and I certainly could not afford to go to one of the classes, I quickly had to find a rendering style that I could do. 

I am not downgrading all the mega firms listed above, clearly they make a lot of money being loose.   

[ALEX P]

oh craig.  lighten up. 

[ALEX P]

Well excuse me.  I was trying to help this guy realize that maybe you dont have to design back yards just because you have a degree in LA.  Sheesh, take a chill pill.  

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