Designing maps
I've never been able to plan anything out on paper, with anything. I just make a test map in Hammer and fiddle with things till I get it right.
I keep the ideas in my head unless I need to figure something out...in that case I start with a rough sketch...and if I like the idea I refine it down and eventually start using straight edges to clean up the drawings. Might have to pick up some graphing paper.
I'm just scared of forgetting stuff, which is why all my plans are really quick and aren't even slightly to scale. They're just reminders really.
Story: 22.22222% Design: 33.33333%
Levels: 4.44444% Cake: 0.00000%
Voices: 0.0^3% in base 4
New models & Textures: ((e^28/pi*7)/0 - 42)%
Grief counseling: 111.11111%
yeah if I come up with a good idea I usually try to jot something down about it...I may not draw a picture but I will make a note about it.
When I try to make sketches of map, I just write down how I think it. Like I have no plan of the map, I just think of something that would be cool and put it down and make it lead into another area... No thinkin just sketching. 
Maybe thats why I don't make maps but o well.
I hope I can add all 7-8 room till mapcontest ends.
Started from the top right.
too bad I cant post in any of the map threads, no permission to open topic in WIP.
Create the topic in Maps and Mods and a moderator will move it. that's how it works.
Good luck on the contest thing. It ends tomorrow.
My absolute favorite mapping acpect of Portal is coming up with new Aperture stuff. For instance, my newest idea, the Aperture Science Subject Volume Movement Boundary Restriction Field. Orb and physics object can travel through it, and you can shoot portals through it, but not walk through it.
Please don't steal.