Terrain Sculpting Collective : Project Design 101

This program introduces terrain-making enthusiasts to the essential design principles behind building immersive and functional environments. With a strong emphasis on theme, scale, and purpose, participants will explore how creative vision meets practical execution in both conceptual and physical terrain design.

Through a blend of design theory, hands-on activities, and library-supported research, students will:

Learn to determine the appropriate scale for their terrain projects—balancing realism, usability, and available resources

Plan the layout within the constraints of their designated build space, considering flow, elevation, and focal points

Address storage needs for terrain models when they are not being displayed, including modular builds, compact disassembly techniques, and protective materials

Participants will examine professional terrain models from various hobbies and professions like gaming, landscape architecture, and dioramas. By documenting creative choices and mapping out design strategies, they’ll develop terrain projects that reflect thoughtful thematic consistency, user-centered scale decisions, and practical long-term usability.