Frequently Asked Questions
DEFINE WHAT A GARDEN DESIGNER IS?
A garden designer is someone who designs exterior spaces. This can vary from domestic gardens to communal public spaces. It is someone who can survey a site, take a brief from the client and produce a workable design from the hard landscaping to the planting. They should be able to source materials, features and all garden related products. They also should be able to organise and oversee the construction of a garden.
DEFINE WHAT A GARDEN DESIGNER IS?
A garden designer is someone who designs exterior spaces. This can vary from domestic gardens to communal public spaces. It is someone who can survey a site, take a brief from the client and produce a workable design from the hard landscaping to the planting. They should be able to source materials, features and all garden related products. They also should be able to organise and oversee the construction of a garden.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE?
The part-time diploma course is split into three terms with a one week introduction. There are six projects spread throughout the year, two during each term. The first term is very intensive and covers all the basic draughting and drawing skills. It also covers all the fundamentals of garden design, including plant selection and planting design. The second term continues with design and introduces construction whilst building on all the skills learnt during the first term. Term three focuses on the business aspects of garden design but considerable emphasis is placed on design and development of the final projects.
The course includes practical sessions and teaching in the wonderful gardens at Hampton Court Palace. In addition, there will be talks and lectures from practising garden designers and other professionals linked to the industry.
WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ATTEND THE COURSE?
Students attending the course share the common goals of having a passion for design and a love of gardens and plants. No previous art or design experience is necessary but students must be at least twenty years old. Most of our intake is post graduate, but mature students with sufficient prior learning experience are particularly encouraged. Students must be bright, motivated, able to cope with pressure and, above all else, enthusiastic! Students come from all over the world and many different backgrounds, many having made the decision to change career.
WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE INVOLVED?
KLC will provide students with all the immediate equipment needed in studios but there are, inevitably additional costs. These are mainly for colour photocopying (we do have a subsidised A3 copier at the school), copying work at A2 and A1 sizes, books, some samples and additional materials that you feel are appropriate for a particular presentation. Students may also wish to buy a drawing board for home, and a laptop computer is essential. KLC has a reference library, internet access and facilities for lap top usage.
Outdoor Clothing - An important aspect of the KLC Garden Design course is spending time out in the palace gardens visits as well as surveying the gardens for each project. As our term begins in January and finishes in December, we do have to face the wonderful British weather during some of the toughest months of the year. It is essential that each student has a good set of waterproofs, such as coat and leggings. Other essential items are a hat, gloves and most importantly waterproof, safety boots. This is something that foreign students coming from warmer climates may not fully appreciate. We can suggest excellent clothing suppliers once the students arrive here in England but it is important to allow both the time and some budget for purchasing these essential items.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DO THE TECHNICAL DRAWING?
Many students have no previous technical drawing experience, so you won’t be alone! We know that this is an aspect of our courses that many people find unnerving and really can provide you with all the training you need to do this confidently and professionally.
HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK IS THERE OUTSIDE COURSE HOURS?
As all our courses are highly intensive we do rely on our students being prepared to undertake a considerable amount of work outside school hours (10.00am to 4.00pm) and over the holiday periods where this is applicable. As most courses involve one or two ongoing projects it makes sense to allow a regular time each evening and at weekends to work on these and there is always additional work to cope with during the actual design projects. The timetable’s that are issued at the beginning of a term or course give detailed information so you can plan around where the most pressurised times are likely to be. We will advise each student individually about the possibility of working outside course hours.
DO WE ARRANGE WORK EXPERIENCE?
We strongly encourage KLC Diploma students to undertake work experience during the holiday breaks, and we will advise each student individually about taking on regular work experience during the term time. Each student is different and we will try to help as much as possible and advise on work experience requirements. With KLC’s extensive range of top-level contacts in the industry, it is normally possible to arrange work experience appropriate to the ultimate ambitions of a particular student. These placements can vary from design studios, first class nurseries to well known and highly respected gardens.
WHAT ARE THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE TUTORS/LECTURERS?
KLC tutors and lecturers are all working professionals and include some of the country’s top landscape designers, garden designers, plantsmen and specialists.
HOW IS WORK ASSESSED?
All project work is assessed and graded on the Diploma courses. At the end of the year there are examinations which include Design History and Theory and a Design Project.
HOW DOES THE COURSE PREPARE ME FOR A JOB?
Students are given an insight into sound business principles, procedures and practice. Topics include budgeting, proposals, contracts, installation programmes, estimates, schedules, specifications, ordering and record keeping. We offer advice on CV’s, portfolio presentation and career direction and, with many approaches from some of the leading design companies, we are often able to put graduates directly in touch with potential employers. In some cases, work experience, leads to the offer of a permanent job.
Our graduates have gone on to work either for themselves or in design practices such as Arne Maynard, Cool Gardens, RK Alliston, Jo Swift, Michael Balston, Andy Sturgeon, Marcus Barnet, Alasdair Cameron and Clifton Nurseries. By the end of the course students should have acquired the skills to be able to work as a garden designer either within a practice or set up their own business.
COULD I TAKE ON SOME WORK OUTSIDE THE COURSE TO EARN MONEY?
We would advise each student individually about taking on additional work. In our experience, the level of commitment required to successfully complete the course leaves very little time free. Some students do occasionally take on extra work but find this very exhausting on top of their course work.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
At the end of the course there is an Exhibition of Work for family, friends and prospective employers and for Diploma students an Awards Ceremony with prizes from many prestigious companies in the industry. There is on-going help and advice for students not yet placed including the option of an additional careers workshop after the summer break.
IS THERE A LOT OF WORK OUT THERE FOR A GARDEN DESIGNER?
This is a growing market and although there are fewer garden design practices than interior design it is on the increase. Many designers are now expanding their studios and employing designers.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE KLC?
KLC School of Design offers quality, professional training in interior and garden design, delivered in a unique, friendly, accessible and stimulating way. KLC has a policy to use only practicing professionals for tuition and is committed to developing the creative potential of all its students. We include practical work outside and the all-important aspect of construction. These two areas are often ignored by many courses or glossed over. We produce well-rounded designers that have experience in the practical side of the subject.
Based at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, KLC offers students a unique learning environment with excellent access to the wonderful historic gardens. Our aim is to equip students for a successful career through a combination of commercial and residential design projects combined with the necessary business training.
|
