Introduction

Landscape designers are creative geniuses whose love of nature inspires them to transform outdoor landscapes into dream settings, whether for home, private, or commercial usage.

Similar Job Titles

• Garden Designer

Typical Job Responsibilities

What do Landscape Designers do?

A Landscape Designer would typically need to:

• Create appealing and functional outdoor living spaces for residents and businesses in residential/commercial districts, public parks, and schools.
• Meet clients on-site to discuss expectations, requirements and budgets
• Conduct climate, soil, and solar exposure analyses to ensure the design is functional, maintainable, and sustainable.
• Create plans utilising your imagination and knowledge of ecology, either manually or with LandCAD and GIS (geographic information systems) technology.
• Consider how much time a client will spend in the space and who will utilise it; include important landscape elements or drainage difficulties in the drawings.
• Choose appropriate plant species and hard structures (pathways, garden structures, water features, walls, and paved areas) for the location.
• Create project estimates and maintain budgets
• Obtain client consent and continue to meet with them throughout the project to discuss necessary changes.
• Liaise with contractors and builders to ensure that construction, irrigation, and planting are done on time and within budget.
• Undertake gardening and manual labour; pot plants and trim hedges, if necessary
• Add final touches, such as furniture, lighting, and garden deco 

Standard Work Environment

Landscape designers are typically seen working outdoors in public parks, playgrounds, private houses, and golf courses. They collaborate with landscapers and contractors. Day-to-day travel to several business sites and customer meetings is typical.

Work Schedule

To suit client schedules and company expectations, they typically have non-traditional work weeks that may include overtime hours, weekends, and holidays.

According to research, the younger generation values flexible hours and favourable telework regulations more than money. Employers are more prepared to give talented employees the opportunity to adapt their schedules to meet employment needs.

Employers

Finding a new job may appear difficult. Landscape Designers can improve their job search by soliciting referrals from their network, contacting firms directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media, and contacting staffing agencies. A popular choice is private consulting.

Landscape Designers are generally employed by:

• Landscaping Companies
• Garden Centres
• Landscape Contractors

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional groups and organisations, such as The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), are essential for Landscape Designers who want to further their professional growth or interact with other experts in their industry or trade.

Professional associations offer members chances for ongoing education, networking, and mentorship. Membership in one or more of these organisations adds value to your CV while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• Shortage of quality labour
• Inadequate wages
• Discount businesses that undercut services
• High fuel costs that translate into higher estimates
• High overhead costs in terms of insurance and compensation
• Steadily declining profit margins

Suggested Work Experience

Landscape design projects conducted on a freelance or volunteer basis, even those accomplished in school, can be your best shot in gaining the attention of prospective employers, especially if they demonstrate increasingly popular experience with CAD (computer-aided design) software.

Cities and towns are increasingly collaborating with landscape design schools to provide students with actual projects in which they can participate in formal meetings and presentations of landscape plan designs, as well as interact with urban planners.

When tasks outside the classroom properly align with learning within, you will benefit. You can learn a lot from more experienced professionals’ stories and gain significant hands-on experience when they turn seemingly ordinary occurrences into unique learning opportunities.

Summer internships, part-time entry-level work, or short-term paid/volunteer work provide a taste of the work, vital insight into how a firm or institution functions, assist create useful relationships, and boost one’s chances of landing a permanent career.

While finishing your undergraduate degree, look for internships and work experience at established landscape design firms. Some internships are paid, and the majority of them count towards your degree. Experience can also be gained at botanical gardens, nurseries, greenhouses, or golf courses.

You can participate landscape design competitions and shows to gain more exposure and enhance your name in the field. You can also volunteer to assist the expert designer you are learning from in creating their showpiece for a competition or garden show.

The experience may also assist you in determining if the public, private, or voluntary sectors are most suited to accomplish your goals. The career services department at your educational provider can provide information about suitable opportunities for work placements, internships, and volunteer work in a variety of areas.

To demonstrate your devotion to course providers and future employers, read about the profession and interview or job shadow specialists working in landscape design.

Recommended Qualifications

A high school diploma or GED (General Education Development) is required to become one. Most Landscape Designers, however, pursue a four-year certified bachelor’s degree in landscape design, ornamental horticulture, art, architecture, landscape architecture, or garden design.

A plant and soil science or horticulture degree programmes focusing on landscape design is a possible alternative. A diploma or associate degree in horticulture or garden design from an authorised community college is also acceptable. Students should improve their knowledge of plant language, soil, site planning, design, and landscape design history.

Plant biology and propagation, turfgrass culture, horticulture pest management, landscape maintenance, and landscape contracting business would be perfect curriculum topics for an ideal education provider. Software classes in geography, earth science, horticulture, ecology, math, drafting, surveying, and landscape design would enhance the programme.

Consider taking gardening, art, design, and technology classes in high school, as well as business, geometry, physics, and algebra.

Remember that finishing a certain academic course does not guarantee admittance into the profession. However, your professional qualifications and transferrable talents may open more than one door.

Before enrolling in a specific degree, do your research and investigate all possible possibilities for education and career. Associations and employers in your field are trustworthy sources that can help you make an informed selection.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Prospective Landscape Designers who want to stand out in a competitive employment market or become independent consultants can benefit from professional certification in landscape design from a vocational school or community college.

Although specific qualifications vary by area, applicants should have at least four years of expertise, a portfolio of three installed projects (including photos, drawings, and a plant list), and a business statement.

Candidates who are successful may create business by presenting their credentials to relevant professional bodies. By implementing a Code of Ethics, robust certification programmes defend public welfare.

Landscape Designers may also be subjected to an employment background check, which may include, but is not limited to, a person’s job history, schooling, credit history, motor vehicle records (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, usage of social media, and drug testing.

Projected Career Map

Landscape Designers’ careers are driven by performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional certifications. They may begin as Project Managers and advance to become Director of Facilities or launch their own consultancy.

In any case, job advancement is dependent on raising the value of one’s designs, expanding one’s customers, and working with wealthy clients.

As a recognised specialist in the industry, one can advance their career as a Planning and Development Surveyor or an Urban Designer.

A growing number of millennials are opting to job hop and build a scattershot resume that demonstrates ambition, enthusiasm, and a willingness to master a wide range of skills in order to expedite their career progress and personal development.

Studies show that job hopping, which was formerly considered as “flaky” activity, might lead to increased work satisfaction. Employees looking for a healthy culture and fascinating work are eager to try out different roles and settings while learning vital, transferrable skills.

Job Prospects

Individuals who are creative and have an accredited degree in landscape design, as well as the ability to cooperate and communicate well with customers and peers, have the highest job chances.