Course CodeVHT032Fee CodeADDuration (approx)2500 hoursQualificationAdvanced Diploma Become a Landscape Designer, Consultant or Landscaping Professional Landscape Design is part art, part science, and for most who are successful in this industry, also business. The best starting point for most successful landscapers will be a sound education that involves learning all aspects (art, science and business). Some of the top landscape designers have started with little more than a certificate, then built their knowledge and experience on the job. Others have started with a much more substantial course like this one. Success tends to come faster and surer if you begin with a more substantial course like this; but passing a course is never alone going to be a guarantee of a successful career. Education can provide a foundation; but success also requires a mind that can cross between artistic inspiration and practical application of scientific principles. Artistic flair alone is not enough; and the ability to build structurally sound landscapes is not enough either. We strongly recommend you talk to us before enrolling. Staff here at ACS have decades of experience in the industry and we can help you sort out whether this is the right career for you. Course Structure This course is made of 25 modules. These modules are best undertaken in the order outlined below. Students studying more than ten hours a week however are advised to take two or more modules at a time (In for every 10 hours per week or part thereof). Exams should be taken after submitting the final assignment for each module. Exams can be undertaken anywhere in the world. Exam fees are an additional cost, payable each time you apply to sit an exam. The Industry Meetings and Workshop modules do not require exams. As such, you need to sit a total of 22 exams. If an exam is failed, you have unlimited options to reapply and resit exams until they are passed (but a new exam fee applies with each application). Course Duration: 2500 hours Modules Core Modules These modules provide foundation knowledge for the 2500 HOUR LANDSCAPING learning bundle. LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION VHT084 COTTAGE GARDEN DESIGN BHT110 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH I BHT118 HORTICULTURE I BHT101 HORTICULTURE II BHT102 LANDSCAPING I BHT109 PLANT SELECTION AND ESTABLISHMENT BHT107 WORKSHOP I BGN103 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH II BHT241 HORTICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BHT203 LANDSCAPING II BHT214 LANDSCAPING III -(Gardening Styles) BHT235 NATURAL GARDEN DESIGN BHT215 PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS BHT201 PLANNING LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL GARDENS BHT242 PLAYGROUND DESIGN BHT216 PROJECT MANAGEMENT BBS201 RESTORING ESTABLISHED ORNAMENTAL GARDENS BHT243 WORKSHOP II BGN203 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE FOR CONSULTANTS BBS301 Elective Modules In addition to the core modules, students study any 3 of the following 20 modules. GROWING ANNUALS BHT115 CONIFERS BHT230 DECIDUOUS TREES BHT244 GREEN WALLS AND ROOFS BHT256 GROWING LAVENDER BHT228 BHT228 IRRIGATION - GARDENS BHT210 PALMS and CYCADS BHT233 ROSES BHT231 TREES FOR REHABILITATION (LANDCARE REAFFORESTATION) BHT205 TROPICAL PLANTS BHT234 PERMACULTURE - ADVANCED BHT301 AMENITY HORTICULTURE I BHT324 HORTICULTURAL MARKETING BHT304 IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT BHT305 OPERATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT I BHT326 OPERATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT II BHT327 PERENNIALS BHT316 PLANT ECOLOGY (BEN302) BEN302 WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT BEN302 WATER GARDENING BHT307 Note that each module in the 2500 HOUR LANDSCAPING learning bundle is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately. Working As A Garden Designer Garden Design is a unique profession that blends science with art. Designing a garden involves: Communicating with the client to determine their needs and desires. Surveying the site, and creating a base plan (drawing) Determining potentials and limitations (What is and is not feasible) Systematically working through a logical design process, to develop, step by step, a concept that is physically achievable, as well as being functional and aesthetically appropriate. The amount of work available in garden design has increased in recent decades, particularly in more affluent parts of the developed world. In situations where both husband and wife work, and money is relatively available, all home services including garden design have become growth industries. Opportunities Some garden designers work full time doing nothing but garden design. Others combine garden design with another job, such as landscape contracting, garden consultancy, garden writing or retail nursery. Garden centres sometimes offer a garden design service to entice people to buy plants from them. They may employ, or do a deal with a designer; or the owner or staff may even go and learn design themselves. Most landscape designers are self employed. Some other employment opportunities for landscape designers include being employed by: Horticultural businesses (eg. garden centres; landscape contractors). Planning or design firms (eg. Architects, engineers, Town planners) Developers or construction companies Government (eg. Parks departments) Consultants may charge anything from low to extremely high rates for their design work. A garden design for a 500 to 1000 sq. metre property (home) may cost as much as a person’s weekly wage; or much more if designed by a well known and prestigious designer. The ability to command high fees will depend upon reputation and that will only develop over time, and if you are able to develop a unique and popular flair to your work. Designers who are able to obtain employment (part time or full time) with others should be able to earn a professional level salary. Advancement in this industry is most dependent upon reputation. If your work becomes famous, you will also, and your ability to charge more will increase. In some places, a good way of advancing your career as a designer is to create display gardens in a major garden show. Designers who win medals at Chelsea Flower Show (London) or MIFGIS (Melbourne) for instance, will find it easier to get work; and often be able to command higher fees. Risks and challenges Every job has certain risks associated with it; and even something that seems as easy going as garden design can still bring worries from time to time. Self employed garden designers face the same problems as any other small business person (eg. Dissatisfied clients refusing to pay, not having an income when you are ill, too much work at times and too little at other times, people being slow to pay, etc). While being your own boss can be a negative for some, others see it as a big bonus in this career. If your personality fits not only the job, but also the way of life, this could be a career you are well suited to. Before you have developed a reputation in this industry you may initially find it difficult to get work. How to become a Landscape Designer A garden design career commonly starts by: Designing your own garden, and discovering you love the experience Drifting into it from working in a related field such as gardening or architecture Studying a garden design course because you just love gardens or gardening. Landscape contractors often seek to develop design skills to broaden the services they can offer a client; or to give them a less physically demanding income source they can move into as they get older. Garden writers or consultants may offer a design service, to broaden their income opportunities. Many of the most successful garden designers are those who have specialised in a particular garden style. For a self employed designer, this is an obvious way of making yourself stand out from the competition. Consider for instance, becoming a specialist in designing modern gardens, cottage gardens, formal gardens, tropical gardens or Japanese gardens. Some designers focus on residential designs, and others on commercial work, public parks, or even children’s playgrounds. Just think of the number of schools and pre schools that need playgrounds designed. If you are seeking employment with someone else as a designer, you should consider the courses you study and the skills you develop. Different skills will be attractive to different types of firms (or organisations). Professional institutes and associations in both the landscape and horticulture industries are useful to join. Many will require you to hold some type of qualification (or be a student) before joining. Becoming active within such an association or institute will help you develop valuable contacts within the industry; and remain current with trends and developments. If you establish your own consultancy, you should investigate Professional Indemnity Insurance and any other necessary insurances. The situation does vary from country to country (and time to time), but the issue of insurance should not be neglected. Other related jobs Landscape Contractor Landscape Architect Landscape Consultant Landscape Manager Gardener Groundsman Handyman Landscape Designer Studies are undertaken in the following order: Module 1. Landscaping I Module 2. Horticulture I Module 3. Landscaping II Module 4. Landscaping III (Landscape Styles) Module 5. Plant Establishment and Selection Module 6. Landscape Construction Module 7. Horticulture II Module 8. Horticulture & Research I Module 9. Water Gardening Module 10. Playground Design Module 11. Planning Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens Module 12. Cottage Garden Design Module 13. Permaculture Systems Module 14. Horticultural Management Module 15. Natural Garden Design Module 16. Project Management Module 17. Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens Module 18. Horticulture & Research II Module 19. Workshop I Modules 20 and 21. Two relevant electives from horticulture or another area of study of value to people working in landscaping. For example … Advanced Permaculture; Irrigation – gardens; Trees for Rehabilitation; Horticultural Marketing; Plant Ecology; Conifers; Roses; Perennials; Australian Natives I; Tropical Plants; Photoshop; Starting a Small Business, Amenity Horticulture I. Module 22 Workshop 2 Module 23 Industry Meetings 100 hrs Modules 24 Professional Practice for Consultants Module 25 One module elective eg; Operational Business Management I or Water Conservation & Management or Photoshop The ACS Team Approach ACS was founded by John Mason in 1979 as Australian Horticultural Correspondence School. Right from these very early times, we've always believed that the best education only comes when the student is learning from the experience of a whole range of industry experts (rather than just a single teacher). Every ACS course is a work in progress, continually evolving, with new information being added and old information being updated by our team of internationally renowned professional horticulturists. Over the decades more than 100 horticulture experts from across the world have contributed to these courses, bringing their individual knowledge and experiences from as wide afield as England and Spain to Australia and America. While may colleges and universities focus on providing courses that relate only to the country where they are based, ACS has always strived to make its courses relevant to all parts of the world - any climate, economic or cultural situation. This has been achieved by involving a large number of professionals in the course development. When it comes to tutoring, marking papers and mentoring students, the team approach is just as strong as with our writing. ACS students have the ability to obtain advice and support from staff across the world, with horticulture tutors located in the UK, Australia (both the north and south) and New Zealand. The ACS team approach and global focus to both course content and student support, ensures our graduates have a unique and "real world" skills set. This unique approach is highly regarded by our colleagues in horticulture. Contributors to ACS Courses over the years have included: John Mason - former parks director (Melton, Essendon and Heidelberg), Landscape Designer (Playgrounds and recreation Association of Victoria), Nurseryman, President Australian Institute of Horticulture (Victoria), Committee International Year of the Child (Australia), Author ove over 40 books, Editor Garden Guide Magazine, Editor Your Backyard Magazine. Maggi Brown - Education officer, Henry Doubleday Research Association (UK), gold medal winner Chelsea Flower Show, Garden consultant. Adriana Fraser - Horticultural Consultant, TAFE Lecturer, Project Manager - Parks and Gardens, Horticultural writer (Australia). Iain Harrison - Garden Manager Fibremakers, Garden Consultant, Lecturer Swinburne TAFE Katie Freeth - Manager Commonwealth War Graves (France), Horticultural Consultant (France & UK), Board member Institute of Horticulture, and International Federation Parks & Recreation Administration Tony Bundock - Horticulture Businessman, Consultant, Head of Horticulture Dept. TAFE Jim Davis - Horticulture Businessman, Lecturer TAFE (NSW), Principal VCAH Burnley College Dr Lyn Morgan - author and internationally renowned hydroponics consultant (New Zealand) Dr Valeria Astorga - horticultural consultant, lecturer (Spain, Peru, Australia) Alison Bundock - Editor (Kangaroo Press; Southern Cross University), Technical Writer (APM), Consultant Rosemary Davies - Horticultural consultant, journalist, media personality (Victoria) When choosing a course the most important things to consider are: Choose a course of study that best suits you and your future aspirations. Choose a course of study that will be broad enough for you to enable you to move across industry sectors should you want or need to. Choose a course of study that can be tailored to your needs and ambitions. Choose a course of study with a school that will encourage and support you and also give you practical along with theoretical skills. ACS prides itself on all these things – our learning system ensures that students not only gather information but they absorb, retain and recall it (even years later). Problem Based Learning and Experiential Learning beats Competency based Training hands-down in producing quality graduates. Our courses are based on developing problem solving skills. Who Will Benefit From This Course? Budding landscapers and landscape designers. Designers and landscapers workin in the field withiut a qualification.