PLAN 110Visual Communication and Design for Planners
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
- Subject
- Planning
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course explores multiple forms of visual communication and design. Students will be introduced to two and three-dimensional drawings that are relevant for urban planners and designers. Students will gain practical design skills using both hand drawing/sketching and computer software. A key component of this course is student development of a critical understanding of the role of planners as producers and consumers of visual imagery. Students will also learn and experience design as an iterative process.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in H-Planning
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5323 | 0 / 210 | T 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2104 | 179 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| STU 101 | 5324 | 0 / 27 | Th 08:30–09:50 |
| STU 102 | 5325 | 0 / 27 | Th 10:00–11:20 |
| STU 103 | 5424 | 0 / 26 | Th 11:30–12:50 |
| STU 104 | 5462 | 0 / 26 | Th 16:00–17:20 |
| STU 105 | 5463 | 0 / 26 | Th 17:30–18:50 |
| STU 106 | 5464 | 0 / 26 | Th 19:00–20:20 |
| STU 107 | 5465 | 0 / 26 | F 08:30–09:50 |
| STU 108 | 5481 | 0 / 26 | F 10:00–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
92% liked it80% easy94% useful
From 118 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
An essential course if you want to specialize in urban design. Very easy course if you like to design and consider yourself very artistic, also don't be afraid to get the prof to review your work many times. TIP: have Illustrator, Sketchup, AutoCAD, and Artlantis all downloaded before this class, it saved me so much time doing it before hand.
Jul 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Great course for learning how to create site plans and 3D renderings. Did not like the use of abobe illustrator for site plans because AutoCAD is an objectively better program.
Jun 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This class is quite easy to succeed in. The assignments are quite easy (even if you don’t like drawing) and flow in to each other. Def go to studio sessions. Lecture’s not very substantial. Buying stuff for class is annoying.
If you get Professor Lewis, make sure you get on his good side. He doesn’t f*** around.Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Great class for planners to be introduced to urban design, although the assignments can be tedious at times. They are relatively straightforward. However, attendance to lectures and studio sessions is mandatory and makes up around 10% of the mark.
Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
As someone with an interest in design, I found this course to be extremely enjoyable. It introduces you to software (Indesign, Illustrator, SketchUp) that you'll likely be using later on in a very beginner-friendly way. The work isn't necessarily hard as long as you put a bit of effort into it, and even then I found this course to be very relaxed. You can get high marks as long as you ask the TAs or professors to look over your work every now and then, they'll tell you exactly what needs to be fixed or changed. A lot of your lecture times are actually optional studio sessions which can be skipped, but try to show up for your actual studio times.
Mar 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
11 posts and comments in 11 threads mention PLAN 110, February 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
Question for Planning Students 3 points, 3 comments
“Good afternoon guys, I'm an incoming UWaterloo Planning student and I was wondering what I could do/learn or start learning during the summer before the school year starts. …”
u/markleestan: “… Oh also start saving a bit of money for textbooks and especially adobe for PLAN 110 :”) Set up a LinkedIn if you want (it’s pretty big in our program) and feel free to message me and we can connect on there! …”
Winter 2023
How is Planning? 4 points, 7 comments
“Hi! I'm thinking about going into the planning program but I'm wondering how math and science extensive the program is generally. …”
u/gingham_cat: “… PLAN 110: The only design course in first year. Lectures are short and to the point, mostly dealing with how the professor wants you to create site plans/ how your building should look. Some people love this course, but it’s not my favourite just because I don’t love design. …”
Winter 2022
What is planning/ is it a good program? 2 points, 6 comments
“So, I got rejected from Waterloo for the arch undergrad program. Not surprised tbh. They recommended that I consider applying for planning as it is a similar type of program. …”
u/DIYPANDA07: “… The first and second year design courses (PLAN 110 and PLAN 210) mainly uses the Adobe Suites ... so these design courses do not teach advanced skills that a typical arch program would teach. There's a few threads about planning already. …”
Spring 2020
Possible Future Planning Student 5 points, 3 comments
“I applied for Architecture but wasn’t offered a spot but was offered a spot in planning. I’ve always wanted to go into architecture but planning seems interested. …”
u/Goodfridayfood: “… There are two mandatory design courses in first and second year (PLAN 110 and 210) which can definitely be hit or miss as some of your peers will be more enthusiastic about it than others because there will be hands on group projects (can be a good or bad experience), but …”
Fall 2019
Planning program difficulty 3 points, 3 comments
“I see that you have to maintain 75+ average in your core courses to stay in the program. To current or former planning students, did you find it difficult to maintain a high avg?”
u/d7taylor: “… For example, PLAN 110 is a grind due to the need to redo parts frequently while adjusting your design, so you’ll end up spending a lot more time than expected doing it. However, the profs are, for the most part, super nice and accommodating, and the peers are really friendly. …”
Spring 2019
Planning Co-op or Math Reg? 0 points, 8 comments
“I'm having a hard time choosing between these two programs. I find both program equally interesting, it's just the co-op and future prospect that's making me an indecisive lil bitch. …”
u/perkornah: “I’m in planning co-op and am really enjoying it so far. I’ve heard the first co-op is hard to get but it’s doable if you’re passionate and interview well. …”
u/perkornah: “… In 1B they were PLAN 110, ENVS 178, PLAN 105, and two electives. They are all very theoretical but we had a lot of hands on work. A lot of the courses involved heavy amounts of writing, so if that’s not your thing maybe don’t go into this program or this profession. …”
Planning vs AFM vs GBDA 0 points, 4 comments
“I got accepted to all 3. I seriously can’t make up my mind. I initially wanted architecture but got Planning instead. …”
u/perkornah: “… However, design is a key component of some classes, like PLAN 110 where you design a building and site plan. I believe you can choose to specialize in urban design in later years, but I’m not sure if that’s similar enough to what you’re looking for. …”
Now with exams over, what were the best and worst courses you took this semester? 20 points, 25 comments
“Mine were, Best: CS241 (assignments were fun, it was cool how they built upon one another and concluded in making a simple compiler) Worst: STAT231 (still don't know what a p-value is) Honorable …”
u/perkornah: “Best: PLAN 110. Worst: GEOG 181 online. I took it as a bird course but I didn’t study well for the exam and my mark dropped from a 90+ to a 79. The content was so boring.”
Winter 2016
[Survey] What Would You Like to See on King St. N? (all) 0 points, 3 comments
u/YQLBen: “So I take it PLAN110 started today?”
Fall 2015
Thinking of transferring to architecture...good idea or no? 5 points, 10 comments
“Hi, so I've been thinking about transferring to architecture. I am currently in urban planning 1A. It is interesting and all but I've always felt like I want to do something that is more heavy on …”
u/YQLBen: “I can't comment on the transfer process, but perhaps hold off on a decision until you take PLAN110, the introductory urban design course, next term. While not an architecture course, you'll find overlap that may interest you and open up your mind to future possibilities. …”
Winter 2014
AIF tips and Co-op Planning questions 1 point, 2 comments
“Hello redditors, I applied to the Planning program in UWaterloo and I was wondering if you guys have tips for writing the AIF. I know the basics they look for are spelling and grammar. …”
u/udunehommik: “… There's a design course in first year (PLAN 110) that involves a lot of manual drawing for the first assignment- using t-squares, set squares, french curves and the like. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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