Introduction to being a Garden Designer

Ever wondered how to be a garden designer? Earth Designs’ Creative Director shares all the secrets, tips and potential problems from the world of garden design. The day session sets out to give a ‘topline’ of a career in garden design and is packed full of information and advice, including an overview of the processes we use day-to-day at Earth Designs. It is a great introduction to our other courses and can help students identify where their knowledge and skills need most attention.

Katrina has spent the past 14 years growing Earth Designs from an unorthodox beginning into a successful garden design and build company. She will use her experience to give you an insight into the highs, the lows and the hard work involved in running your own business. The day course is split into two sessions:

The morning session tackles how to set up and run your design practice, including legal and Health & Safety issues, setting your fees, marketing and branding. Employing staff and sub-contracting work out. How to find creativity and use it as a sales tool. How to set your fees and charges. Which landscaping associations are best for you.

The afternoon session looks at client and project management, from the first phone call right through to delivery and aftercare. We will look at how to undertake the initial consultation, conduct a site survey and produce professional plans. The session will move on to managing a garden build, including sourcing materials and products, producing quotes, project tendering, and working with sub-contractors. We will discuss each student’s skill base and sketch a basic framework for their garden design and landscape business on which they can build after the session.

For: Buds – such as students who have just started a garden design course or those considering a career move.

What you will need: Notebook and Pen.

What you get: Handout packed with lots of advice about processes, legalities, associations and contracts . Lunch, tea and coffee.

What our past students say:

'Folks, if you go to any garden day out, make it the Earth Designs Open Day. It provides an introduction to practical design and small businesses, and I found it a great source of knowledge. It is superb for anyone considering a career in garden design or who has just started a garden design course. Take my advice – get to one of these days.'
Kevin 2008

'The Earth Designs Open Day: what a lovely and instructive way for learning, with such skills and personality as Katrina has. I came from France and can guarantee this was the best idea of the year.'
Alexandra 2009