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What you will learn?
To get a full description of this course curriculum and see examples of student work, we would recommend you download the digital prospectus on the right side of this page. The curriculum details are also listed below for your convenience. Essentially, there are 20 lessons in this course, which are grouped together under the following collection of modules:
Style & design
A successful design is more than the sum of its parts. Conversely however, the whole is nothing without the right parts – for it is only a creative combination of the right components that produces the harmony in design so crucial for the whole. Creating a successful garden design is like any work of art, and in order to achieve a balanced composition, each element of the design must be assessed as to how it works with the other components. In this module you will explore what it is that defines style, and how to classify various details of garden design according to style. Good design is certainly intuitive, but if you wish to work as a landscape and garden designer it is essential that you understand exactly which components make a successful or unsuccessful garden design, and on successful completion of this module you will be able to re-construct any style effectively regardless of your own personal tastes and preferences.
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Plants, shrubs and trees
Even for a trained individual, designing planting schemes can be a complex issue. Planting patterns should be balanced and in proportion, there should be visual interest all year round and plants must also be appropriate for the climate, the soil and the client. Sometimes it’s important to select plants that are child and animal friendly, and if you add to this the fact that many of today’s clients want a well designed garden with minimal maintenance, it’s easy to understand how designing planting schemes can often result in overwhelm. In this module you will learn a methodical approach to plant selection. You will examine the main varieties of plants available and assess their appropriateness for different situations, developing your own method of classification that will assist you on completion of this course and in the industry afterwards. Plants and greenery are essentially what landscaping is all about and after successfully completing this module you will have the knowledge necessary to design planting schemes with confidence!
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Hard landscaping features
Boundary structures such as walls and fences will determine the garden layout and set the backdrop to the overall design. In addition to these, there are numerous other structures in a landscape design including paths, patios and raised beds, all of which should be carefully planned from a number of different perspectives. Manufacturers now provide more choices of materials than ever before and while it can be exciting to think about all the design possibilities, too much choice can be confusing and even overwhelming. When you consider that hard landscaping structures can cost 60% to 70% of the total cost of a garden design you simply can’t afford get it wrong, particularly when you are spending your clients’ money! In this section of the course you will examine the various options available, assess the advantages and disadvantages of each, and learn how your choice in any one area will impact the overall design, style and budget. Once you have this knowledge, you will be able to choose materials confidently to create a design that is practical and appropriate as well as visually pleasing.
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Professional presentation
Before any design project gets off the ground, you must communicate your original design ideas effectively to two different audiences; namely clients and contractors. On this course you will learn how to create mood and concept boards so that you can communicate your ideas to clients in a way that demonstrates professionalism and creativity. You will also learn how to create accurately scaled plans and elevations, which give you the opportunity to experiment with various layouts and design options and illustrate how the end result will look. Even if you’ve never drawn before, you will learn step by step how to create plans and elevations to professional standards, and also how to develop clear specifications to instruct contractors on how to execute your design. These abilities are vital to success in the industry, and this process of design development will also help you to avoid many common problems and expensive mistakes before they occur.
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Designing with water
Without sufficient water supply plants and trees will wither and may even die, yet too much water can be just as damaging and understanding how to achieve this gentle balance is essential to long-term success as a designer. In this module you will learn how plants absorb water and vital nutrients, how to provide sufficient drainage and how to plan ahead so that water requirements can always be met. You will cover important practicalities, such as how to direct natural rainfall towards the areas it needs to go to and away from buildings and outhouses. You will also learn how to design with water just for pleasure, developing water features that enhance the environment and please the senses.
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Planning
There are many, many factors to take into account when designing a landscape. S uccessful landscape and garden designers are confident in their designs and they avoid expensive mistakes because they take the time to meticulously plan the garden design and how it will develop over time. They understand how to work with nature (rather than against it), and they consider how people will interact with and use the space once the design is complete. In this module you will learn how to approach any garden design project from an objective viewpoint so that you can ascertain the most relevant factors and avoid overwhelm. This module is designed to help you develop a way of thinking; one that will enable you to approach any new project with objectivity so that you can develop original design solutions that are both practical and creative, with a balance between the two.
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Final project
At the end of the course, you will be asked to complete a Final Project, which will involve designing and communicating an original landscape and garden design in response to a brief. This project will bring together everything you have learned throughout the course, giving you the opportunity to fully integrate the various skills and knowledge, so that you can demonstrate a rounded and holistic approach to landscape design. Receipt of the Limperts Academy Diploma in Landscape & Garden Design will acknowledge your proficiency and skill as in this area and will give you the confidence to pursue your new career with vigour!
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