Call it "manipulation" or "visioning," but any way you look at it, illustrations of proposed projects have an immense impact on whether they get funded, approved, and built. Tristin Hopper looks at the "toolbox of tricks" employed by illustrators.
From impressionistic watercolors to photo-realistic digital renderings, the products of architectural illustrators are indispensable to the worlds of planning and development. Hopper looks at the role that "this hidden class of artists" plays in imagining the future of our cities. "Skilled, calculating and versed in the art of
manipulation, these unseen and unsung artists may have more sway over
the shape of Canada's cities than we know."
"Architectural illustrations are 'meant to be manipulative,' said Gordon
Grice, a prominent Toronto-based illustrator. 'We're like lawyers; every
case needs to have its best points brought forward.'"
"Want to portray a building as a swinging hotspot? Depict it at night,
splash on some purple light and paste in some arm-in-arm couples and a
fireworks display. Looking to showcase a building as a green
development? Show 'as much vegetation as possible' and give the
structure an otherworldly glow, said Miryam Doshin, account executive
for Toronto's Modexx Studios. 'You don't notice it you just think,
‘Oh, it's such a happy, shiny building.'"
FULL STORY: Architectural illustrators use toolbox of tricks to ‘manipulate’ the way we look at buildings

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont