Lisa Town

Hi Jay,

What are your strengths or skills? There are so many directions that landscape architects could potentially go. You don’t really have much to go on from your profile. One easy way to go is into some sort of graphics field. The upside to that field is that you don’t need a dedicated degree, just skills. That’s why it makes it a bit more…[Read more]

If you can, go to Versailles! Especially if it is a nice day. The interesting thing is that the locals just consider the gardens like their neighborhood park, so it’s not just tourists. People go there with their families and so it’s not just tourists but people enjoying the gardens…strolling, biking, boating. My husband and I rented a bike…[Read more]

I have done both online and print but my question for you is why you might want it online. If you have things that you feel are better shown online, for example, an animation or some sort of digital work…then definitely. Then, if you have chosen to put something online then you will want to keep it simple, yet interesting.

Not that I’m saying…[Read more]

A website is a great way to get people to look at your material, especially if you have computer animations you’d like to showcase. However, be aware that not all firms like this and some will require a printed version. It’s best to be able to have both available if you can. Try to create a flexible format that lends itself well to being on the…[Read more]

Yeah, that drawing looks really nice and what I like the most about is that it accomplishes exactly what you say in putting that “jazz” back in the drawing. Computer drawings can so often lack that feeling of life. It actually reminds me of a series of drawings that were used on one of my projects that was in collaboration with Foster and…[Read more]

The best thing is definitely to check out things that would normally be on the list for any tourist….

A great walk along the river is a good start, especially in the summer. You can walk the loop along both sides of the Willamette, or grab bikes or rollerblades. There are many must see projects all along the way including the brand new (still…[Read more]

I agree, it should be designed specifically for certain uses that required it. I also hate seeing lawns in strange shapes and sizes and in places where it could’ve been anything else.

Photoshop is kind of like AutoCAD, you can use it for years and years and still learn something new with every drawing you do. And really, that’s half the fun! Just play around with it and you’ll find endless inspiration.

Here’s tutorial number one which covers the basics of the Quick Mask:…[Read more]

This tends to be the pretty typical place many firms buy packages of people, trees and cars:
http://www.realworldimagery.com/

It really depends on what you trying to cut out and what the background is but that is why it’s really great to have a good grasp on Photoshop’s many selection tools. I would recommend checking into both the background…[Read more]

That is very true! There are two people at my office that have that talent and they use it everyday. One of the biggest advantages is that they can go to workshops away from the office and draw up perspectives of ideas on the spot. In fact, this gets people opportunities because they get sent to workshops, competitions and other countries to be…[Read more]

The key is really to understand when you use the pen and when to use the computer. Ultimately everything done by hand will be transferred to the computer for those fancy presentation drawings, cad sets, etc. Also it depends on what you are designing. Sometimes taking something into cad to work out a problem makes sense and sometimes doing…[Read more]

Hand drawing is definitely not a lost art. As long as there is design, there will be hand drawing. I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t even think through a problem without drawing on something. It’s almost as if I am handicapped without a pen.

The computer is too confined and doesn’t allow for that free flowing thought of really…[Read more]

While this works in the school studio too, a good thing to do in an office if you are feeling that way is to get someone else involved. Chances are they could use a few minutes to step away from their project too. Just take a couple minutes and explain to them what you are doing and throw them a pen and some trace, see what happens. Chances are it…[Read more]

Yeah, I have a love hate thing going on with lawn as well. I can’t help but look back on my childhood days of rolling down those nicely sloped hills of lawn in the schoolyard or running barefoot through the soft green before sliding down the slip and slide on my belly….

You know, the comment of the smell of freshly mown grass is an interesting…[Read more]

Who is “we” ? What is the name of your company? Do you have website and project portfolio? What has been your experience with the west coast to date?

I agree with the post above that this is normally for maintenance purposes because skateboarders can really tear up nice seatwalls. I also agree that we should LET EM RIDE!

Therefore, I must show images from one of my most beloved plazas….Heiner-Metzger Plaza in Neu Ulm, Germany.

This plaza is very small and at the corner of two streets. There…[Read more]