About Landscape Designers

Landscape designers design our parks, turn plain yards into peaceful retreats and give commercial buildings a formal business-like aesthetic. Anyone who wants to become a landscape designer needs to go through years of intensive study in order to become licensed and join national and regional associations.

Identification

A landscape designer or architect needs to have specific training and the requirements vary by state. Someone studying to be a landscape designer will spend 4 or 5 years in college and will graduate with a bachelors degree. Students are allowed to work under a licensed designer to get practical experience. In addition to attending college, some states require that the student have a certain amount of hands on experience before they can take the licensing exam.

Features

A landscape designer has to have knowledge of geography, mathematics, science, engineering, art, horticulture, technology and ecology. They need to know the name of every plant, its characteristics and the type of soil it needs. They need to be able to understand the personality of their clients and design the landscape to reflect it.

Function

A landscape designer is responsible for installing drainage systems, constructing retaining walls and deciding plants should be planted together. They also are responsible for arranging plants so that they compliment the architecture of the building. Landscape designers can specialize in residential or commercial design or work for local, state and the national governments designing public parks.

Benefits

Being a landscape designer is a lucrative business. And every job is different from the one before. It is never boring. Every job gives the designer the opportunity to use his or her imagination and artistic style in a different way. Not just anyone can become a landscape designer. It takes a lot of work and skill, so the landscape designer has the distinction of being a recognized professional.

Considerations

Anyone considering becoming a landscape designer has to have a love of the outdoors and plants. He or she has to have a passion for the work because there is a lot of intense study and preparation to go through Consider working with a landscape designer before making the decision to start school. That way you will know if it is the right choice. And if you do become a landscape designer, join local and national associations. Having those memberships listed on your letter head and in your adds shows you are accepted by those who set the standards for the industry.

Resources

• Association of Professional Landscape Designers