FdA Landscape and Garden Design

Course aims

To provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to develop a career in landscape and garden design practice. It covers site survey, art concepts, contemporary garden design, both CAD and hand drawing skills, professional and transferable skills. It also provides the opportunity to progress to a full BA (Hons).

Core skills

Transferable academic and employability skills are delivered in specialist units delivered throughout the programme.

Module framework and module description

Year 1 Module Year 2 Module
Semester 1 Principles of Landscape & Garden Design Semester 1 Designing with Plants
Plant Use & Knowledge Use of IT Applications in Practice 
Academic & Professional Development Managing in an Organisation
Semester 2 Structures & Materials Semester 2 Contemporary Gardens & Landscape History
Spatial Design & Colour Composition Design Application & Contract Management
Academic & Professional Development Research Methods


 

First year modules

Module Title: Principles of Landscape and Garden Design

Landscape and garden design is a multidisciplinary profession where the development of successful outdoor spaces involves a staged process of creative experimentation underpinned by an understanding of the natural environment, how people with different needs use and relate to a space and the role of plants. This module will explore garden design as a creative art and will introduce students to the theory of design, enabling them to produce strong design solutions for external spaces and equipping them with the technical skills required to successfully communicate these ideas. Students will learn about site surveying and analysis techniques and investigate the requirements for the selection and use of plants in landscape design projects. Students will develop their technical drawing techniques and learn to draft professional briefs. Students will further explore a range of methods to develop and effectively communicate conceptual design solutions.

Module Title: Plant Use and Knowledge

Planting is central to the art of landscape design. In contrast to man-made materials, plants change with the seasons and over time, adding a dynamic element to a garden. Landscape designers are required to produce planting scheme proposals for a wide range of locations. With a sound understanding of plants and their growing requirements, landscape designers are able to create successful green spaces using a wealth of plants. This module will provide students with sound knowledge and understanding of the fundamental aspects of plant biology that can influence successful plant establishment in a diverse range of environmental conditions. Students will adopt a plant-led approach to landscape design and study current trends and influences within this field, focusing on industry leaders and their work. Through a series of lectures and practical sessions students will be introduced to a wide range of plants, learn about their growth habits and how to use these creatively in their designs.

Module Title: Structures and Materials

To design successful outdoor spaces, landscape designers must have a good understanding of the materials they propose in their schemes. With a vast range of hard materials to choose from, designers must be able to identify and specify the material that is best suited for their projects. With an emphasis on the creative use of materials to develop sustainable and responsive gardens, this module will introduce students to a range of hard landscape materials; some that are readily available and used frequently in the landscape industry and others that are more innovative. Students will evaluate the success of existing hard landscape schemes, focusing on functionality and aesthetic quality as well as how individual materials interact with each other and how schemes fit in with their surroundings. This module will further introduce students to a number of practical methods for creating built landscapes and correct construction detail drawing will be explored, allowing students to further develop their technical drawing skills..

Module Title: Spatial Design and Colour Composition

Having an awareness of spatial organisation will determine how a garden will be used and experienced by people. To create successful outdoor environments it is essential that a garden designer understands space. Taught by a working artist, this module will focus on the three dimensional nature of design and the visual communication of ideas and concepts. Students will experiment with a range of materials and methods to develop their individual creativity and through drawing and model making students will explore spatial form, scale and structure. Students will learn about colour theory and how to combine and contrast colour in different ways by using a range of drawing media and paints.

 

Second year modules:

Module Title: Designing with Plants

As continually changing spaces, gardens will evolve even when landscape designers have completed their work. It is therefore essential that designers have a sound understanding of plants to enable them to choose healthy plants that are suitable to location and specify correct planting procedures. Following on from the module Plant Use and Knowledge, this module will focus on the approach to producing detailed planting plans and scheduling. Students will produce detailed planting schemes and carry out investigative work to identify various outlets that the garden designer can use for selecting and sourcing British standard nursery stock. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate the success of planting schemes which they were involved in the design and planting of in the previous year, giving them an valuable insight into the performance of individual plant species as well as increasing their general plant knowledge. Students will further carry out research into contemporary use of plants and consequent emerging technologies against the background of ecological issues, sustainability and urbanisation.

Module Title: Use of IT Applications in Practice

The landscape and garden design profession is a competitive market to enter into and to be successful, designers have to differentiate themselves from their competitors and develop efficient working methods. The use of computer aided design software supports the process of design as it enables designers to easily explore concept ideas by quickly generating study models and layout plans and by making alterations less labour intensive. Whether working as a self-employed garden designer or working in a practice, time is of the essence and with a good understanding of a CAD software program, designers will become more efficient in their work and produce plans and drawings of a professional standard. This module will introduce students to computer aided design and the concept of brand identity. Students will develop the core skills required to produce schedules, plant databases, 2 dimensional plans, scaled drawings and 3 dimensional garden models. Students will also examine their own strengths and develop their own unique brands as landscape designers using industry standard software.

Module Title: Contemporary Gardens and Landscape History

Landscape and garden design can trace its history back thousands of years with strong cultural influences. This module will explore the cultural, economic and political trends that have contributed to the landscapes that we see today. Students will investigate leading designers who reshaped public opinion towards landscapes and gardens throughout history focusing on twentieth century design and the emerging international trends and influences that are influencing the context in which designers work today. There will be the opportunity to look at iconic landscape features through visits to public and private parks and gardens, culminating in a study trip to a European country in the second half of the module.

Module Title: Design Application and Contract Management

This module will be the culmination of the design and practical work studied during the course. It will provide students with the opportunity to draw from this information to produce landscape design work to a professional standard for a given live project. Students will be asked to research a particular user group to establish a detailed brief for their design. They will further develop their creative, theoretical and practical skills and will present their design proposal to an audience at the end of the semester. Students will also learn about the specific requirements for managing landscape construction contracts and explore the complexities of writing appropriate contract documentation and managing the construction process in line with landscape industry standards.

 

Teaching, learning, assessment

This course is taught through a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, active student learning, practical sessions, and visits to sites of interest in the region and through expert guest speakers. Students will be provided with the opportunity to expand and enhance their study and IT skills through a programme of core modules, and skills gained during study of these modules can be applied in subject specific modules. Taught over two days (full-time) or one day (part-time) the course allows students ample time to undertake volunteer work or gain paid employment with a relevant employer.

Students will be assessed through the use of written reports, presentations, practical assessment and examinations. Underpinning the course modules are the compulsory 200 hours per year of work-based experience through either direct employment with a relevant organisation or through volunteer programmes.

 
Timetabling

The full-time course is delivered in two semesters, each of twelve weeks duration with three further assessment weeks. Each week requires attendance for two days but a substantial amount of individual study outside this period will be necessary. Part-time students study half of the programme's modules each year. The specific modules to be studied are potentially negotiable within the constraints of the timetable.

 

Work placements

A unique and vital part of the course is the accretion of 200 hours per year of work-based or volunteer work with a relevant employer or voluntary organisation. This forms an invaluable part of the course offering the student an opportunity to put into practice class based theory and to extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject. This also provides an opportunity to make contacts with potential employers and gain relevant experience that can only enhance the employability of the student.

 

Tutorial and study support

The course team includes an HE Support Tutor whose role is to signpost the various sources of academic and welfare support available to help students meet the their goals. These are agreed at the start of the programme and are reviewed regularly with academic staff and the Support Tutor to identify areas where specific support is needed.

Dedicated space for HE students is provided in the Study Room within the HE Centre and in the Learning Resource Centre, which also provides access to a number of specific aids for those with a range of learning disabilities.