[Lana Merrill]

Good argument. But I did not say anything of good/bad design. Experience has nothing to do with a passion for good design; experience should expand those obsessions, guide the development of your own style and focus of choice (urban/residential/commercial). Experience doesn’t beat anything out of you; it gives shape to your passion through the development of your own style. 

Just as firms use only one font style, it’s entirely okay to use your own. (I actually use Helvetica myself in a lot of projects…but I also don’t limit myself to only Helvetica). Plus, Helvetica is used everywhere, not just American Apparel – don’t bash the hipsters, they’re good designers too.

Remember to stay open-minded and instead of questioning the success, dissect the success into principles that you can apply to your own designs.

[Lana Merrill]

What’s up with the helvetica neue? I agree it’s the most readable, simplistic form of font, but that’s not to say there aren’t fonts worthy of use. Your forceful, repetitive reference ignites a rebellious side in not only myself, but I’m sure others. I’m sure your also a Mac obsessive who thinks PCs are completely worthless. Your criticism insinuates lack of real world experience which I assumed you had considering your level of criticism throughout several discussions. No insult intended, just an aggressive responsive to an aggressive post. I only give a word of caution when questioning the successes of the people who have helped shape your career in one form or another.

[Lana Merrill]

Your maps are great and will definitely serve you well. And it’s awesome you’re getting feedback on this site (I kind of wish I would’ve done that sooner….. :-D)

1. The more borders, the more constricted one feels looking at the portfolio – drop them all together (even your maps). This will help create a cohesive, fluid look overall.

2. I would stray away from Times New Roman as it can read…well… a little boring and, in my opinion, has a “thrown together” look to it. It is meant for papers, not portfolios — try Gill Sans if your PC based. 

3. These maps would look even better if they each had their own page in portrait form. Portrait generally is hard to work out, but if it’s done right, looks awesome. Blow up those maps on each page and add relevant pictures that depict what you intend your analysis to affect (i.e. storm water conservation may have pictures of landscapes where water is obviously managed well through systems you intend to use; food production would depict community gardens or residential farms that you feel would suit the indicated areas best). These pictures will help give someone quickly flipping through your portfolio a better idea of the intentions of your analysis. 

—P.S. Don’t abbreviate things in your map – i.e. final_rec — I’m assuming that means final recommendations? Be specific.

4. Your descriptions shouldn’t state what you’re obviously showing in your maps. Instead, write one or two sentences of how the maps/analysis will influence the next step in your thesis. This adds fluidity and gives you the opportunity to get someone interested. 

Great start, don’t be afraid to post your revised version!

[Lana Merrill]

Agree and disagree with these steps. Different employers look at things differently.

AMEN to step 1, but don’t feel like you have to use helvetica neue (it’s great for text/descriptions, but you can make the title a snazzier font)

?? — Step 3: My way of going about things is to include text (don’t freak out! I’m not implying you put a 10 page paper on one sheet). One or two simple paragraphs don’t hurt, and they help explain maps and graphics that require an actual description. I aim for size 10 font so it doesn’t overwhelm the page. Remember, you’re trying to get an interview, so you want whoever is reviewing your portfolio to know what they’re looking at. 

I agree with 4-7 completely. 

As far as step 8 – problem is, some things can be too boring. If you want to include a little spunk, throw it on a page that introduces the project or section of the project (concept/analysis/implementation). I would stray away from using any sass on pages that contains your work. I think of colors and graphics as a way for your brain to get excited to turn the page. Don’t go bananas though. I generally aim for two colors (red, light red or purple, light purple), black, and one shade of gray. >> Check out the Krause’s “Color Index” (You don’t have to buy it, go to Barnes and Nobles and copy the CMYK/RGB numbers of ones you think you might use)

—As far as maps/writing, etc… Here’s my advice from my experience from classmates, employers, future employers, and professors. Graphics sell. You can prove the rest of your knowledge in an interview and resume. Being in this field, I know you are creative enough to invent a way to translate your theories and findings into graphic representations (i.e. charts, matrices, etc.). Hop on the graphic design train and have fun with it. Analyses and maps are the easiest way for someone to instantaneously understand what you’re talking about so keep it simple and remember to include at least one pop of color. 

One last note — as far as the number of pages, make it as many as you feel necessary. A part of employer’s evaluations is how well you can edit yourself. Make it 30 pages the first time around, then  edit your work keeping in mind a general hierarchy you wish to convey. 

Good luck 🙂

[Lana Merrill]

By the way – I would stay away from foam core – it can be SO hard to make it look clean and precise. Plus, it also tends to look heavy. If you do choose it, go for the thinnest size you can get.

[Lana Merrill]

I agree with Wyatt as far as materials. If you’re going to a white monochrome scheme, mat board, white tissue paper, cardstock/printer paper, and baby’s breath is a good combo. If you’re going for a light brown/cardboard look, chip board (don’t get it too thick or you’ll struggle cutting it), inner side of cardboard for texture (you could cut it into super thin strips and play with it if it looks too heavy/bulky), and then dried sedum (usually is around most campuses) for trees.

 

Makes me want to build a model! And don’t forget matte finish mod podge 🙂 🙂 newspaper is also fun for water or big open space (just don’t put too much of it on the model, it coud turn into a tacky 3rd grader model real quick!) and HAVE FUN with it!!

[Lana Merrill]

What’s Corner?

[Lana Merrill]

….Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.

[Lana Merrill]

Honestly – I don’t care. I have just as much respect for landscape designers as landscape architects. Call me naive, but it seems like a landscape designer who has attainted a BLA is just as respectable as someone who has a BLA and took the time to get licensed. I feel like you’re almost stating that people who haven’t gotten licensed are …lesser than you. If it’s not affecting you personally, then why do you care so much? No need to start a heated debate on the matter.

 

I do agree that it’s wrong when it comes to someone calling themselves a professional landscape architect and they aren’t licensed (OBVIOUSLY because they’re lieing). That’s clear. But in casual conversation (i.e. with a friend or someone you just met), who cares about the technicalities. Odds are, they’re going to end up thinking you’re a landscaper who works at the nursery or flower shop down the street anyway. No need to worry about it.

 

And by the way, I’m a “kid” who just got out of school and I don’t call myself a landscape architect. Anyone who has gone through a landscape architecture program is not stupid – they know that they’re not a fancy “landscape architect” until they’ve gotten licensed. Were you calling yourself a landscape architect right out of school? (That’s right, you probably weren’t because you were educated enough to know better …and that’s why you got licensed)

[Lana Merrill]

I wish I could like this. Haha That’s too funny. I think most LAs feel like that…

[Lana Merrill]

And even if you don’t end up liking it – who cares. You found your truth, acted on it, went for it, and at the end of it all, you owned it.

[Lana Merrill]

Pursuing another degree is never a mistake. If I could (and had the money) I’d do something in the fields of health and nutrition (which has NOTHING to do with LA). It’s just not something I have the chance to pursue yet in life.

 

I just started an internship at a firm in Boston (my first REAL job in LA) and I’m learning that there is so much more to an LA firm than just designing. I’ve had so many professors telling me to pursue a minor in accounting, or business. Always helps!! I don’t know particularly much about mastering in Economics, but I know that being in the landscape architecture field consists of marketing, investing, business, designing, the arts, and history and so much more. EVERYTHING it seems like. I say go for it, but keep your connections with everyone in LA.

 

Plus, being creative and having design skills goes far in almost any field – good luck 🙂

[Lana Merrill]

I’m not familiar with the site, I’ll have to check it out!

[Lana Merrill]

I agree – but it’s quicker to use those and brush that out than it is to start from scratch… What do you usually use?

[Lana Merrill]

You can easily add trees by clipping out backgrounds of images and such. Here’s a great site that has the trees ready.

 

http://www.howardmodels.com/0-tree/DecidiousTreesFull-112103/index.htm

[Author]

Posts