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Landscape design education and training

The training and education that goes into landscape design can be somewhat intimidating. Especially if you have just begun to consider this career path in your life. While the many people who employ landscape designers or landscape architects, won’t think about the amount of training that you will need to put forth. It is important that you realize the true nature of the work, as well as the training and education needed to step foot in this field.

While almost nineteen percent of all landscape architects or designers are considered to be self employed. (Which is more than two times the amount of any other field of expertise), there are still methods of practicing landscape design: without all of the risk. It is actually preferred that you take the time to apprentice, or gain hands on training from an expert prior to heading out on your own. Simply because you will find yourself lacking in a more lucrative clientele, if you can’t prove your certification or experience with a resume or references.

Once you have completed your education in landscape design, you will also need to consider the certifications that are available. It is shown that forty nine of our fifty states within the United States, require a landscape architect or designer to be licensed and certified. This of course means that you will need to further your training, post college for a time; so that you can gain the licensor that you will need to practice landscape design.

Remember, that if you are just out of schooling for landscape design. You shouldn’t always be down-trodden about not obtaining a job right away. As it is one of the fastest growing positions with it’s popularity, there are many other graduates fighting for the more prestigious positions with architecture firms and other companies.

Tip one: Get to know the nature of the work, before you start your career in landscape design. While it is a lucrative and well-paying career, it isn’t always going to be for everyone. It requires a high amount of creativity and the ability to please your clients.

The overall nature of landscape design is fairly simple to explain. Simply put, landscape designers and architects are responsible for all of those breathtaking and awe inspiring landscapes around the world. From public parks, residential homes, playgrounds, campuses, shopping malls, parkways, hospitals, and even golf courses. They are all designed by landscape architects. While they are pieced together one stone and plant at a time by a designer, many people won’t stop to think of the person who created the landscape. Simply put, you won’t always get the credit where the credit is due. However, if you have the ability to step back and enjoy your own creations. You will fit in famously within the landscape design education and training process.

Remember, once you have completed your training; you will find that there are many jobs to choose from. While there might be a plethora of other post-grad students chomping at the bit for that one position that you want. There are always prestigious organizations that need and want to hire landscape designers.

During your schooling, you will have learned many different facets of landscape design. From the initial planning of the site or landscape. Of which will put you behind a desk for hours at a time, or you will find that you are looking through the possibility and plausible nature of any one project. Whether or not the elements within any one project can be sustained throughout the years. Simply because landscape designers are meant to look to the future of their jobs. It simply isn’t a here-and-now type of gig like retail. Instead, a landscape designer must show the ability to adapt, and create long-lasting scenic changes within the environment of the client. All of which will be taught to you throughout your years of schooling. Remember, you aren’t going for your basics here. You can expect to be in school for anywhere between two to seven years obtaining at minimum your bachelors degree in landscape design.

Tip two: You must know and understand the tools in which you will be working with on a daily basis. All of which will be taught to you throughout a series of classes given at any local college.

As a landscape designer, you will find your tools to be completely and utterly indispensable throughout your job. While you aren’t going to gain the knowledge of these tools on your own, this information should be taught to you either through college classes or an apprenticeship under a seasoned landscape designer. Some such tools can range from computer aided design tools, such as planning software. All of which can help to create a video simulation of your design, which is also used in helping the customer see the bigger picture before moving forward.

It is this software that has made true physical models almost obsolete in the field. While yes, you may find yourself building a tiny replica of your plans (much like any high school or junior high model in the science fair), it isn’t going to be able to compete with the graphic capabilities of this new-age landscape design software.

However throughout the designing process, you may even find yourself utilizing computer mapping programs. This is especially during larger scale builds, such as zoos and sports facilities. Of which will help you to render yet another 3D picture of your exact design. Allowing you to take your landscape design knowledge in a more modern direction.

But where do you get this software? Simple! Many college campuses will have their computers stocked to the gills with these programs. However, if they do not provide them for you; they will have an idea of where you can purchase this software locally. Whether it is purchase or borrowed, the software can be fairly difficult to learn on your own. While yes, it is possible for you to purchase this software anywhere within the world, with little to no training. However, that isn’t to mean that you will understand the programs well enough, for you to utilize them on professional clients. For this reason, it is almost as important to find yourself a teacher who understand this new tool of the ages.

Tip three: Don’t be afraid to approach your peers! While it isn’t always possible to get a hold of your elders in this field of work. You may find that a simple chat, or brainstorming session with a peer will aid in making the right design decisions. Otherwise helping you in your training.

Using a trusted peer is always a great way to go about answering some of the easier questions. While you aren’t always going to know the answer, the combined knowledge of two students within the landscape design field. Is always better than one. A key phrase for this would be the fact that “two heads are better than one”, even in the landscape design education and training process.

Throughout all phases of your planning (whether for school or a client) should be run by a second set of eyes and ears. Simply because it will allow you to collaborate with another great creative mind, thus ‘editing’ out any parts that might not fit.

Along these lines, it is important to ask a peer or your senior member on the team that is of your same specialty. It is quite common for someone in this field to specialize in one form of landscape design or another. Especially since the local (and international) classes will offer a variety of specialized programs, enabling you to hone your skills in one or two different areas. They do this because taking it all in, every tidbit of information; every morsel that landscape design has to offer. Can often times become overwhelming. Thus it is broken down in to parts. Whether you choose to work specifically with water, over-all construction on highway or traffic structures, zoos, or even national parks. They can all be broken down into fairly simple categories for you to choose from.

However, when you begin to choose your specialty within this field. It will be important to take basic landscape design classes. They will enable you some hands on experience with each of the pats of landscape design. Thus making it easier for you to choose which is right for you. All due to the fact that you will (or should be) drawn to one part or another within the landscape design field.

Tip four: Know the training, education, license, and certification qualifications for your state! This is of the utmost importance, since it can and will vary from state to state and country to country!

When it comes to training and education, landscape designers care often times faced with a plethora of different qualifications that they must meet to practice their art form. Whether it be as simple as a local apprenticeship, or a degree in landscape design. All of these things can help to add the much-needed bulk into your resume, thus making you more attractive to potential clientele. (Including those who may be more lucrative and hard to find!)

First and foremost you will be asked to obtain at minimum your bachelors degree in landscape architecture and landscape design. (While similar, they are two different entities!). While this is the bare minimum for your schooling, it is always a wise idea to gain your masters degree in at least one skill-set of landscape design. Simply because it can and will help you to add a much-needed sense of dedication to your resume.

While you enter into school you will be faced with your two basic undergraduate degrees within the landscape design field. Both the Bachelor of landscape architecture (or BLA) or bachelor of science in landscape architecture (otherwise known as the BSLA) are a wonderful thing to obtain. You may very well decide to obtain your Master of landscape architecture, and then further your education with an apprenticeship, journeyman employment, or even skill-set training from more classes throughout schooling.

Once you have completed your formal training, you should f course then try to learn the creative and nurturing skills that are needed for these jobs. It is important to first and foremost care for nature, as well as working with your own hands. Simply put, if you cannot handle getting a little dirt and grime on your hands; this isn’t the position for you! You should be able to learn quickly about nature and the methods in which you can utilize it as inspiration throughout your landscape design.

Tip five: Always consider yourself a sponge of knowledge. As the years go by, the methods in which we create landscape designs will change. It is of the utmost importance to stay knowledgeable about these up-and-coming trends! This is one of the biggest reasons that you must re-apply every couple of years for your certification. It will help you to ensure you are up to date on every new technology and technique.