Concept Visioning
for Planning Departments
Hand-crafted illustrations that help cities, counties, and planning departments build understanding, consensus, and excitement around what their communities could become.
— A note from the studio
For fifteen years, we have helped urban designers, architects, and planning professionals bring their concepts to life through artfully crafted illustrations. Our work is rooted in traditional hand-drawn and watercolor technique, carrying a warmth and human character that communicates vision.
Increasingly, planning departments are asking us not just to illustrate their concepts, but to help develop them by translating site potential, community input, and internal discussion into imagery that builds understanding, consensus, and excitement.
— How we help
A Visual Communication Partner for Planning Departments
Four ways our work supports the people who shape places, from the conference room to the community meeting.
— 01
Strengthen public engagement
The understanding of a project often depends on whether residents can picture what is being proposed. We create imagery that speaks directly to community concerns — parking, traffic, density, neighborhood character — and shows how thoughtful design addresses them. Our illustrations are tools for conversation, not just presentation. Quick conceptual Imagery can be created live, (remotely or in person) giving the opportunity for stakeholders to react in real time and see how design solutions address community issues.
— 02
Support internal decision-making
Before a project can go public, departments need internal alignment. We develop multiple schematic concepts for the same site, giving staff and leadership distinct alternatives to react to, debate, and pursue. Each phase of the visualization process builds refinement, providing an efficient way to consider design options.
— 03
Reflect community character
Every place has its own vernacular, scale, and feeling. We draw and paint with sensitivity to that character, so imagery feels like it belongs to the community rather than imposed upon it.
— 04
Tell a complete visual story
Developing the vision of a place yields a full suite of imagery. From existing conditions, to preliminary concepts, refined line drawings, watercolor renderings, and CGI or animations, each image allows for unique and controlled communication and reflects a collaborative, thoughtful process. Together they let a department tell a coherent story, in their own voice, throughout a project's life.
— Where our work fits
When to bring us in
Our visioning and illustration services support planning departments across a range of moments and project types.
Specialized support
Catalyst-site marketing
Planning consultant support
Grant-support materials
Planning & strategy
Downtown and corridor planning
Redevelopment strategy
Infill site exploration
Engagement & communication
Public engagement and community meetings
Board and commission presentations
Economic development communication
— Our process
A craft developed
over four phases
Every engagement follows a collaborative, iterative path — from understanding the place to delivering the final imagery.
— 01
Basic massing
A simple massing model is developed from the site plan in SketchUp. We explore view options together to find the angles that best portray the concept.
— 02
Preliminary drawing
The character of the built environment and the narrative of the rendering begin to take shape. Views are composed to reinforce the project's vision.
— 03
Final drawing
Comments from the preliminary phase are incorporated, with each element drawn at the level of detail required. Final drawings are reviewed before rendering begins.
— 04
Final rendering
The completed illustration reflects a traditional watercolor technique. Light, shadow, warmth, and atmosphere are layered to bring the place to life.
— Selected work
Recent illustrations
for planning & civic projects
A sampling of recent work created for planning, civic, and community-focused projects. Click any image to view at full resolution.
— Let's talk
Let's discuss how we
might work together.
Whether you're scoping a corridor study, preparing for community engagement, or exploring how visualization could strengthen your department's work, we'd welcome the conversation.