How difficult would you rate the level designer is to use?
I really want to make a "high-concept" level meaning it's a good idea, but not too complex but honestly this level designer seems painful to do anything with.
Am I better off trying to recruit a good level designer on the forum for collaborative design help than I am trying to tackle it myself?
Level designer, as in Hammer? If so, i'll help you out. Hammer is easy once you understand it. I learned from decompiling valves maps, and seeing how the masters themselves do it.
Yes, hammer is easy to use after some time, that's why portal maps have glitches, but portal 2 does not
Help would be very much appreciated, is there a pm system on this board or something? It would be really cool to talk through some ideas I've got.
Yes, there is a PM system, but you should contact me on skype or steam. I'll map some things for you, I'm just not good at coming up with ideas, so it works out good. I'll get practice and you'll learn some stuff 
Hammer is easy to use. There's no programming involved (as in, Java, C++ etc). Though it's simplisity, there's a lot to do and you can come up with creative things to do with it. I managed to make a funnel pushing a glass room.
More information Here
"Pretty is better than ugly, but if it doesn't work, ugly is better than pretty"
-Phyton
Yes, there is a PM system, but you should contact me on skype or steam. I'll map some things for you, I'm just not good at coming up with ideas, so it works out good. I'll get practice and you'll learn some stuff
Oh awesome, just let me know your steam name and I'll message you there.
Hammer is very logical. That is all.
[spoiler][SP] Alternate[/spoiler]
Yes, there is a PM system, but you should contact me on skype or steam. I'll map some things for you, I'm just not good at coming up with ideas, so it works out good. I'll get practice and you'll learn some stuff
Oh awesome, just let me know your steam name and I'll message you there.
My steam name is bobbylucero11