[3] His professors at Berkeley included H. Leland Vaughan, John William Gregg, and Harry Shepherd.
[4] Baylis met his wife, graphic designer Maggie (née Hilbiber), after she moved to California and advertised for "hands for hire"; the two were married in 1948.
Doug and Maggie's strengths complemented each other and they collaborated successfully, primarily on residential gardens, throughout his career.
[3] Notable commissions include:[4][5]: 271–272 Baylis was hired and created conceptual designs for the surface level of Portsmouth Square in the late 1950s while plans were being prepared to excavate an underground parking garage,[7] but later disavowed further work on the site.
Douglas and Maggie Baylis worked with the Douglas Fir Plywood Association in the early 1960s to develop the "Play Projects": portable wooden structural units designed for children to stack, climb, and play, including Plyform (later renamed Tri-Tower), Flying Saucer, Tippy-totter, Freeway, Climbing Tower, and Kitty Corner.