Landscape designers make our life outside buildings more beautiful, comfortable and functional. These specialists are engaged in the arrangement of gardens, parks, suburban areas, exteriors of hotels, cafes, restaurants, adjacent territories of residential complexes. Any open space can become their place of work. Today we’ll talk about the realities and specifics of this profession in 2021, find out what such a specialist should be able to do and where you can get the necessary skills.
Content:
- Description of the profession
- Basic knowledge and skills (Hard Skills)
- Important Personal Qualities and Soft Skills
- How to become a landscape designer: where to study?
- Where Can a Landscape Designer Work?
- Demand and salary
- Pros and cons of the profession
- The main directions in landscape design
- Outstanding personalities in the profession
- Summarizing
Read also: Water pump for a private house or cottage: types, principle of operation and selection criteria (Photo & Video) + Reviews
Description of the profession
Landscape design as a profession was formed in the ancient world. The Greeks took up landscape beautification in the 10th-8th centuries BC, and in Japan, the tradition of arranging a Zen garden was formed with the advent of Buddhism. The history of Chinese landscape art dates back about 6 thousand years, and even the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - one of the Seven Wonders of the World of the ancient world - is the creation of a landscape designer.
In modern Russia, this profession is experiencing a renaissance. People are gradually moving away from the typical standards of the Soviet era and want to turn summer cottages into beautiful places for recreation, owners of establishments - to equip stylish terraces and open areas, owners of country clubs and recreation areas - to ennoble their territory. This is what a landscape designer does.
The main tasks and job responsibilities of a professional:
- Site measurements and analysis. The specialist must conduct a serious study of the territory on which he will work: make clear measurements of the site, study the features of the soil, relief, groundwater level, and climatic features of the area. This is an important stage that will help to avoid mistakes in further work and correctly determine the places for planting vegetation, laying communications, etc.
- Landscape concept design. Most often, there are already certain objects on the site - plants, buildings, structures, and the specialist must take them into account in his project. At this stage, he develops the space from A to Z: plans zoning, determines places for paths, green areas with plants, ponds and other important elements of the landscape. Finds the best places for decor and household items, chooses the general stylistic direction and design of furniture, flower beds, lighting, paths.
- Creation of site sketches and 3D visualization. The visualization stage allows you to consolidate all the ideas and ideas of the designer, demonstrate them to the customer, and agree on the necessary work. It is very important to make clear and precise drawings that will not diverge from the final result. And for this you need to be able to draw, work in specialized programs, have developed spatial thinking.
- Landscaping, selection of plants for personal plots, gardens, parks, squares, summer cottages. An important task of the designer is to decide on the landscaping option, to select the best flowers, lawn, shrubs, trees, and other plantings for the site. To cope with this task, you need to have a good understanding of plants, know the rules for their compatibility, understand the development prospects - how your compositions will look in 5-10 years, when the plants grow.In addition, it is necessary to understand very well the care of plants, to know how much light, moisture they need, depending on this, choose the optimal planting sites, think over the seasonality of flowering. The designer is usually not involved in planting, watering and caring for plants, this function is taken over by the gardener or the site owners themselves, but he must acquaint the person responsible for them with the rules of care and give instructions.
- Choice of materials. The specialist must also be well versed in materials, know their properties, characteristics, stylistic affiliation.
- Development of communication systems - storm drains, sewers, reservoirs.
- Drawing up a budget. Calculation of quantity, cost of landscape works, necessary materials.
- Creation of a territory lighting project, selection of lighting fixtures.
- Development of project documentation: creation of a master plan, dendroplan, drawings, 3D visualizations.
- Author's supervision over the implementation of the project, control over the work of builders, gardeners.
- Communication with the customer. Occurs at all stages of the work of a specialist. First, the designer meets with the client, finds out his individual wishes, budget. Based on this information, he designs the landscape and coordinates it. It is important to comply with the requirements of the client, coordinate them with the current standards, guests, carefully calculate the estimate so as not to go beyond the budget. To design a territory that will not only look beautiful on the sketch, but will become convenient to use, maintain, and will be able to harmoniously complement the surrounding space, which can be implemented with high quality.
Read also: Gas cylinder in the country - for a stove, heater and other needs: terms of use (Photo & Video) + Reviews Basic knowledge and skills (Hard Skills)
- Knowledge in architecture and architectural styles, engineering, crop production, botany, horticulture, phytodesign, dendrology, geodesy, materials science, soil science, biology.
- Knowledge of specialized computer programs for drawing, designing, project visualization, graphic editors: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Realtime Landscaping Architect, Lumion, Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe InDesign, ArchiCAD, Photoshop.
- Know the norms of drawing, drawing up project documentation.
- Be able to correctly measure the site, master the principles of zoning.
- Be familiar with state norms and standards of construction, principles of improvement, types of landscaping of the urban environment.
Read also: What should be the wiring in a private house, do-it-yourself installation, instructions for beginners
Important Personal Qualities and Soft Skills
Success in a career depends not only on knowledge, but also on personal qualities:
- Communication skills, emotional intelligence. An important part of the work of a specialist is communication with the customer. It is important for a designer to be able to win over a client, to be able to listen carefully, to understand what a person wants.
- A responsibility. Working on a project is not only a creative process, it is important to make accurate calculations, measurements, drawings, so without attentiveness, the ability to concentrate is impossible.
- Stress resistance, patience. People trust their sites and budget to a professional, so they can be irritable, overly demanding, and no one is safe from inadequate customers either.
- Developed aesthetic taste, visual experience. To create interesting and non-trivial landscape objects, you must first see them. Therefore, it is very important for an ambitious specialist to travel, visit various botanical gardens, parks, draw inspiration from the best examples of landscape art.
- Fascination with nature. Work is directly related to nature, so a person should like to interact with plants, to understand them.
- Creativity, good imagination.People turn to a specialist to get a result that they cannot achieve on their own, so you need to offer high-quality, interesting design solutions, and not typical compositions of flower beds from the Garden Garden magazine.
Read also: How to insulate a private house with your own hands: roof, walls and foundation, description of thermal insulation materials offered on the market (Photo & Video) + Reviews How to become a landscape designer: where to study?
There are different ways to master this profession:
- university. Universities in large cities have specialized faculties, you can also study in related specialties - interior design or architectural professions. Such education can provide a good theoretical basis, lay the foundation, but it takes a lot of time (4-6 years) and is unlikely to prepare you for the realities of the modern market. Studying at the university should be considered for those who are just finishing school, but if you want to change your profession in adulthood, this is not the most rational solution.
- Self-learning. In 2021, a person can independently study almost any profession, since he has access to huge amounts of information. But in order to do this, you need to be a very persistent, purposeful, organized person. Self-study allows you to save the budget, does not interfere with working or studying in parallel. But it also takes a lot of time and complicates entry into the profession, since it is much more difficult to get the first orders and get a job without experience and a diploma.
- Courses. The online education industry is currently experiencing a real boom and provides a lot of unique educational opportunities. You can get the most up-to-date knowledge from experts without leaving your home, learn from the best representatives of your industry, get practical experience, help in finding a job. At the same time, courses take much less time than education at a university, do not overload the student with third-party subjects that will never be useful in work. For those who value their time and want to start working as soon as possible, this is the best option.
Which universities to apply for specialized education:
- State University for Land Management.
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
- Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev.
- Mytishchi branch of the Moscow State Technical University. N.E. Bauman (National Research University).
- School of Arts and Humanities FEFU.
Course "Profession Landscape Designer" in SkillBox
An excellent example of quality online education in the specialty is the Skillbox Landscape Designer Profession program, designed for 14 months of training. It will provide an opportunity to learn a profession from scratch, learn how to make drawings, visualize your projects in 3D, and add the first works to your portfolio.
What will you learn:
- Independently create site projects, build landscape compositions in various stylistic directions.
- Plan the site: highlight functional areas, work with the relief, strengthen the territory, divert water. You will create not only beautiful, but also thoughtful landscapes that will stand the test of time.
- Qualified to select plants, materials. You will learn how to select high-quality materials for different budgets, study the specifics of choosing, combining plants with each other.
- Draw sketches of the territory. You will be able to make quick, effective sketches and effectively coordinate your design concept with the customer.
- Create drawings in AutoCAD, Realtime Landscaping Architect, prepare documentation in accordance with the requirements of GOST.
- Work in SketchUp, make photorealistic renderings of your projects.
Course benefits:
- Trained by practicing specialists from the ParkLand company.
- 6 projects in the graduate's portfolio.
- Webinars with leading industry experts.
- Employment assistance: career advice on writing a resume and preparing for interviews, access to closed vacancies.
- Loyal payment: you can pay in installments with the first payment six months after the start of training.
- Bonus learning English.
- Training can be completed online from any geographic location.
- Suitable for beginners with no experience.
- You get not only theoretical knowledge, but also applied skills.
Read also: How to make a cellar in a private house or in the country with your own hands: diagrams, step by step guide, proper ventilation (55+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Where Can a Landscape Designer Work?
In the career of a landscape designer or landscape architect, there are several formats for organizing work:
- Freelancer, independent specialist. A popular format of work today, in which the specialist is independent of the studio or architectural company. He must independently search for orders, look for private clients or work in conjunction with developers or design studios on a temporary basis. In freelancing, it is very important to develop your personal brand, work for a reputation, this is the only way to be in demand as a specialist with stable orders.
- In the design studio. Large studios that are engaged in the construction of cottage settlements, business centers, residential complexes and other large-scale projects usually have their own landscape designer on staff. Since they work on large projects that take years to complete, they are not as dependent on seasonality and can always provide work.
- Landscape studio. There are not so many specialized companies that deal exclusively with the development of exteriors in our country, but here you can definitely get valuable experience, learn useful life hacks from senior colleagues.
Read also: Which floor in the kitchen is better: an overview of modern views. Tiles, self-leveling floor, laminate, parquet and other materials (100+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews Demand and salary
At the time of writing, about 60 vacancies for landscape designers have been opened on the Head Hunters platform. This profession definitely cannot be called mass and widespread, but you should not assume that such specialists are not in demand at all. And here's why: a landscape designer is a profession with a very pronounced seasonality.
In winter, almost no one is engaged in arranging their exterior, and therefore the number of vacancies in December is very small. And, of course, the seasonality factor must be taken into account when choosing your profession - you either need to find alternative ways to earn money for the winter time (for example, work in parallel as an interior designer or make drawings, visualizations for architects), or take more orders during the season to pay for your vacation for winter time. The second important factor is the freelance market. Many specialists work for themselves and look for orders on freelance exchanges or through social networks, promotion of a personal website or blog.
How much does a landscape designer earn? According to data from the HH.ru service, the largest number of vacancies for specialists is concentrated in the range of 30-100 thousand rubles. Wages in the regions are traditionally lower than in the capital.
Consider several vacancies and the requirements of employers for them:
1. Vacancy for a designer with little experience:
2. Vacancy of a leading landscape designer:
What conclusions can be drawn? For employers, the most important skills are working with specialized programs, the ability to create drawings, project documentation, and a mandatory requirement is the ability to choose plants, understand building materials. Even in entry-level vacancies, the employer wants to see the applicant's portfolio, examples of his work.
Read also: Sliding gates: making a practical design with your own hands. Schemes, drawings and sketches (100+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews Pros and cons of the profession
Read also: What is better to build a bath from: blocks, bricks, logs, timber and other materials? Review and recommendations (70 Photos & Videos) + Reviews The main directions in landscape design
To succeed in a career, a beginner must know the origins of his profession, understand at least the basic landscape styles:
- Regular. This style in the landscape is also called classical or French. It is characterized by strict symmetry, understandable geometric shapes, active use of sculpture and fountains. The composition of the space is complemented by straight paths and perfectly trimmed plants. You can see this style in many country residences of French monarchs and landscape gardening complexes. It is possible to implement such a landscape with high quality only in a large area.
- Landscape. It's the English style. Such landscape compositions can often be seen in adaptations of classic British works, in the exterior of ancient palaces in Great Britain. The direction is characterized by romantic and slightly dilapidated, abandoned gardens with non-obvious geometry. In the English style, hedges, wood, and stone are actively used. The paths are usually formed from stone slabs, gravel. The style does not accept variegation, it is usually performed in restrained colors and in one shade. Natural water bodies are very popular - a pond or a river.
- Japanese. Finding harmony between stone, plant and water is important for the Japanese landscape. This is a very symbolic, philosophical direction in which it is important to understand the cultural context. The Japanese garden is created for inspiration, contemplation and deep reflection.
- Rustic. There are no strict lines and frames in this direction, the main rule of its arrangement is to create comfort, preserve the naturalness of space. A variety of decorative details can be used here - pots, wicker baskets, arbors, there are no strict requirements for plants, the style preserves the biological diversity of the natural landscape.
Read also: Natural ventilation in a private house: device, schemes, do-it-yourself arrangement (Photo & Video) Outstanding personalities in the profession
1. André Le Nôtre
The famous French park builder who lived and worked in the 17th century. He became famous as the creator of the most beautiful garden and park complexes in a regular style. In his works, the victory of man over nature was felt, the entire territory was subject to the strict laws of geometry and mathematics. It was his work that largely shaped the canons of the Regular style. Sculptures and fountains were actively used in his projects, and he saw the beauty of plants only in an impeccably trimmed version.
2. Lancelot Capeability Brown
Landscape architect of the 18th century, and one of the creators of the concept of the English Garden. It became a counterbalance to the strict geometry of the Regular style and placed at the forefront the use of the natural features of the landscape and their careful improvement by man.
He formed the concept of a natural garden, in which all living things are respected and harmoniously resonate with the surrounding space. Naturalness prevailed in this style: cozy groves, spacious carpets of lawns with separate trees and shrubs. This architect designed the Stowe Gardens for the Duke of Buckingham, worked on Wakefield Manor and transformed gardens throughout England.
3. Chris Koichi
Ideologist and one of the brightest representatives of modern Japanese landscape design. He was involved in the creation of the Japanese Garden in Portland, led many large-scale projects in the USA, Japan, and Mexico. He adheres to the Eastern traditions of park building and the philosophy inherent in the structure of space.
Read also: Which aerated concrete is better to choose for the construction of a private house? Overview of manufacturers and characteristics of their products + Reviews Summarizing
The skills of a landscape architect are becoming more and more in demand both among entrepreneurs and among private customers - residents of the suburbs and owners of cottages. More and more people want not just to live, but to surround themselves with beauty, so landscape design is definitely a promising direction. If you are ready to take on the dreams of your customers, want to create a harmonious design of the natural landscape and are not afraid of difficulties, this career is for you.
