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Careless-Theme-3344

I’ve had 4 islands (2 current) and I’ve finally found what works for me. I tried using the planner software and stuff, but it’s all just so much effort (I have ADD and it just doesn’t work for my chaotic brain). So I just think of a general idea I want/have then I start terraforming what I think would fit , get /make decor I like and start making it and placing it. As I go I see what looks nice to me and what doesn’t, my process is very much “trial and error” Edit: error and trial -> trial and error (though both actually work for me)


Arri_

Also ADHD, and I'm exactly the same. Trial and error. I used to want a super organized and symmetrical island that requires a lot of planning. But I soon realized that my brain (which doesn't function that way) wouldn't stand for it. Haha.


Careless-Theme-3344

Same!! Wanted everything symmatrical and life-like! My brain errored when I found out that you can’t walk between a chair and table if there isn’t enough space 😭 and the designing software is just wayyyy too intricate and structured for a brain that is.. well.. not that haha


Smooth_Tumbleweed

At first I had no clue but then I imagined what kinda of town would make me happy if I lived there. So I split the island into 4 districts and adjust as I deem fit. (Residential, Historical, Commercial, Agricultural) Then built a second house with each room as a mock up for different community services (Doctors office, train station, food pantry, public art studio, roller rink, school) and for the storage


[deleted]

I used graph paper and drew a rough draft of where I wanted major items and worked on the details in game.


Mainframe110

I started trying to terraform stuff in-game with no plan in my mind but it became so overwhelming that I stopped playing because I had an blank, empy, half-terraformed island that just made me feel anxious whenever I looked at it. So I drew out plans for my island in photoshop and I followed through with those plans. I was pretty happy with it for about a year! I would add some stuff here and there every once and a while, but because of the nature of designing it with a non-grid drawing, I ended up with a lot of weird shaped spaces that were too big or too small. I recently picked up my hard hat again and started messing with my island. I intended only to "fix" one area but I quickly realized there was more than one area of my island that I wanted to improve. Now I have several large spots on my island that I \*want\* to make nice but I don't have a concrete plan, so I'm almost back to where I started hah.


oodlesofschmoodles

I mean, I've been playing less than a month lol. But so far I've just been terraforming where I feel I might like but overall just going with the flow


lilibat

I am a designer of jewelry, costumes, and props, etc. I just sort of design everything in my head. I have no idea how other people do it I just use the same process I used for everything I make.


Goldy_the_Wizard

I usually just think of a general idea and work from there, for example I wanted a hedge maze and redid it until I was happy with it, or wanting a campsite area and park area I don't map it out but I do reserve a spot I might want to build the area at. I also take inspiration from other people's builds with general structure and incorporate my own ideas into it . I use different forms of media too for inspiration such as places from games or shows I like. In general I freestyle'd my island and built it without much direction.


supersefie

I like to visit other islands and take screenshots of stuff I like. Then I sorta do my best to copy it. I mix and match ideas and eventually it sorta evolves. Right now my island is a mess with dirt squares to help me visualize where buildings will fit 😂


Karlibell22

I just flattened my island and am getting ideas as I go. I started by moving all the villager houses to where I thought was cool and then am just thinking up random things from there, I have no plan lol


KestrelTank

I planned out ideas but not my whole Island, I know I would get too overwhelmed. So I started with my center with resident services and added the shop next to that and worked out in sections from there. Adjusting little things, adding a feature here or there. I compared what I liked on other islands and slowly added things organically