Getting Paid to Terraform?

[Megaroni]

I know that people have paid others to terraform their island and I'm interested in potentially doing this. Has anyone done this before? How did it go? How were you compensated? How much were you paid and when? Do you currently advertise your services? If so, where and how? Do you have some sort of portfolio? Do you charge by the hour or for a full project? Do you do entire islands or just parts of islands? When doing a project for someone, do they give you reference pictures? Have you ever been in a situation where your work wasn't what the customer was looking for/expecting?

I would honestly love any information anyone can give me from both people who have done terraforming for pay and people who have paid others to terraform. If anyone has websites, pricing sheets, advertising, or any other way they share information to potential customers about their services I would love to see it for inspiration. I just want to know what to expect if I were to do this and what the best course of action is.

Thank you so much for your time and I hope you have a great rest of your day!

 

[Velvet_nosebleed]

I’ve always been curious about this. But what I don’t understand is how can they terraform if friends can’t terraform each others island. Only the owner of the island can terraform when they aren’t online, right? My guess is that it would have something to do with voice chat since that is the quickest way of talking but I’m not sure. I did see that Nookazon recently added an island inspiration/redesign service tho I’ve never tried it. Would be willing to pay for it too since my island is butt ugly and boring lol.

Edit: I would never pay real money for something like this lol. Only in game currency.

 

[Megaroni]

I’ve always been curious about this. But what I don’t understand is how can they terraform if friends can’t terraform each others island. Only the owner of the island can terraform when they aren’t online, right? My guess is that it would have something to do with voice chat since that is the quickest way of talking but I’m not sure. I did see that Nookazon recently added an island inspiration/redesign service tho I’ve never tried it. Would be willing to pay for it too since my island is butt ugly and boring lol.

I didn't know Nookazon had something like that. Thanks for letting me know! And you bring up a great point, I hope someone clears that up haha

 

[Candy9595]

I’m gonna take one for the team and try it out! What have I got to lose after all

 

[Barney]

How can you terraform on somebody else's island?

 

[JKDOS]

How can you terraform on somebody else's island?

I’ve always been curious about this. But what I don’t understand is how can they terraform if friends can’t terraform each others island. Only the owner of the island can terraform when they aren’t online, right? My guess is that it would have something to do with voice chat since that is the quickest way of talking but I’m not sure. I did see that Nookazon recently added an island inspiration/redesign service tho I’ve never tried it. Would be willing to pay for it too since my island is butt ugly and boring lol.

The idea is the person uses a tool like Happy Island Designer and will build you a blueprint. They may also use their own island for testing, and also to send screenshots.

 

[Barney]

The idea is the person uses a tool like Happy Island Designer and will build you a blueprint. They may also use their own island for testing, and also to send screenshots.

Ah, I see!

That seems crazy to me that people would willingly miss out on designing their own islands - that's been the most fun part of the game for me!

I guess some people have different interests, though.

 

[Bluebellie]

I like building my island myself. I just always wondered How would this would even work.

Does the person send you a blueprint for you to design yourself? Or screenshots? If that’s the case, I don’t see how it could work. I’ve tried to copy certain designs I see online for inspiration and it’s hard getting it 100% the same.

 

[Bethboj]

I couldn’t imagine letting anyone else build my island for me, but ok the other hand I can’t imagine anyone wanting to.
The amount of time it would take to build it for them and make blueprints clear enough to be copied, but then having to dismantle it all to start building the next customers island? I’d never want to see the game again by the 3rd person

 

[Sharksheep]

I can't imagine it for an entire island, but I can see it for smaller areas. Like if you want someone to design a Cafe or a park. I actually wouldn't mine designing smaller areas like that. I had some designs that I really like but it just didn't match the flow for my island.

 

[Jhine7]

I would never do this, ever.

 

[Hydrangea028]

I kinda understand why such service would exist, but at the same time I probably will not use this service and won't suggest any players to use it. It kinda take the fun away from game and I feel that, even though it might be pretty in the end, I will not get attached to that island because it is not my work and I don't have any memories with it.

 

[cheezu]

I'm not really sure why anyone would do this but these services have existed since New Leaf (I mean the concept of redoing people's towns through laying paths/planting flowers or shrubs - just minus the terraforming).
In order to give someone terraforming privileges they need to be made "best friends".
I think then it's a matter of either giving them the creative freedom or letting them work off of a blueprint they would supply you with before.
It seems to be an easy way to have a "pretty Island" esp. if you're loaded with NMT's or bells but to me it would kind of defeat the purpose of the game and possibly make me lose connection to my Island.

 

[Hobowire]

i wouldn't...

i gave my gf my switch once to terraform my island in the early game. she put waterfalls everywhere!!! It's so loud. SO LOUD!!!!! worst of all I had to spend the next three hours removing it all.

 

[Ananas Dragon]

Absolutely not. It costs too much and thank you very much I paid 60$ and i'm not paying triple that for someone to play my own game for me

 

[xSuperMario64x]

The idea of someone else terraforming my island just sounds really dumb and honestly boring. I would prefer if my island were a reflection of my own creative aspirations, not someone else's.

 

[Velvet_nosebleed]

I wouldn’t want them to designing my island completely, but some creative ideas for certain areas would be nice

 

[Nefarious]

I know someone who has designed and someone that had their island designed by that person. I can understand where they're coming from, it can be really hard to design anything you'd be proud with if you're someone that doesn't have as much creativity as many others or feel to pressured to design something unique on their own. Also, for reference they made a blueprint on irl graph paper with detail on how specific areas should look. Though, using that happy island designer website would be easier on you.

Anyways, I'd never pay for such service myself, just because I have no problem with not having a stereotypical "5-star island". For smaller sections though, I like juggling ideas with someone else to improve the look. I like suggesting stuff to others that might be in a designblock with their own areas as well. It's only something I've done with friends, I don't know if I'd ever ask for pay for such a service. Though, if it's listed on Nookazon, it must be in demand.

 

[John Wick]

I like building my island myself. I just always wondered How would this would even work.

Does the person send you a blueprint for you to design yourself? Or screenshots? If that’s the case, I don’t see how it could work. I’ve tried to copy certain designs I see online for inspiration and it’s hard getting it 100% the same.

Yep!

It seems pointless paying someone just to get screenshots and then attempt to recreate it.

It defeats the purpose of hiring someone, as I'd imagine the reason for hiring someone is because you're overwhelmed by terraforming, or unsure of it.

 

[Clock]

I wouldn’t bother anyway, i’d rather take inspiration and put it together for my island layout.