Diploma in Garden Design

Interactive Study
Students work from a combination of printed and on-line material that covers every aspect of garden design, backed up with the help and support of KLC’s tutor team. The printed course material is presented in an elegant designers' study folder. Fully illustrated and in colour throughout, the modules are inspirational and written in a very user-friendly style.

On-Line Resources
Certain sections of the course will steer students to the KLC website (http://www.klc.co.uk/SSS), where additional study information, exercise sheets, and special updates can be found. The student support section of the website also acts as a platform for further research and allows interaction with other students, as well as access to your own personal records.

Develop Your Creativity Into Business Skills
The business aspect of running a design practice is given a high priority and students will learn how to co-ordinate a project, control a workforce and organise paperwork. By the time you have completed the course, you will not only have been awarded a respected qualification but will also have built up an impressive portfolio to show to prospective employers and clients.

Expert Guidance & Unique Careers Support
For any help with project work, our friendly and professional tutor team are on hand to help. All our tutors are garden designers themselves, so students can gain first-hand knowledge from practising professionals. At the end of the course, KLC can help graduates find work experience and will give advice on CVs, portfolio presentation and career direction.

What’s Included?
Order the course today and you will receive:-

• The printed course material presented in the study folder
• Access to on-line study material and support resources
• An on-line student study guide, including glossary
• Project and assignment work
• All distance learning tuition
• Insurance of manuals against loss or theft in transit
  

Enrol Today
No prior experience is necessary - just commitment and enthusiasm. You can also enrol with complete peace of mind with our money-back guarantee – you have 28 days to examine the course material, in which time you can cancel the course and have all fees paid refunded as long as you return back the study materials in pristine condition.

DIPLOMA COURSE SYLLABUS

SECTION 1

• Module 1 – The Design Process
• Module 2 – Garden History 1
• Module 3 – Concepts (Mood Boards)
• Module 4 – Scale
• Module 5 – Site Survey & Analysis
• Module 6 – The Client’s Brief
• Module 7 – Initial Pencil Exercises
• Module 8 – Design Principles
• Module 9 – Plans, Elevations & Sections
• Module 10 – Sketching
• Module 11 – Plant Nomenclature
  

SECTION 2

• Module 12 – Plant Science 1
• Module 13 – Garden History 2
• Module 14 – Inking & Lettering
• Module 15 – Plant Categories & Planting Principles
• Module 16 – Functional Layout Plans
• Module 17 – Plant Science 2
• Module 18 – Garden History 3
• Module 19 – Form, Texture & Colour

SECTION 3

• Module 20 – Garden History 4
• Module 21 – Plant Science 3
• Module 22 – Rendering
• Module 23 – Axonometric Projection Drawings
• Module 24 – Garden History 5
• Module 25 – The Planting Plan
• Module 26 – Gardening Practice
• Module 27 – Dealing With Difficult Sites
• Module 28 – Garden Lighting 1
• Module 29 – Construction 1
• Module 30 – Garden History 6
• Module 31 – Costing A Project
• Module 32 – Visual Presentation
• Module 33 – Environment, Sustainability & Naturalistic Planting

SECTION 4

• Module 34 – Scale Models
• Module 35 – Garden History 7
• Module 36 – Construction 2
• Module 37 – Garden Lighting 2
• Module 38 – Verbal Presentation

SECTION 5

• Module 39 – Construction 3
• Module 40 – Garden History 8
• Module 41 – Construction 4
• Module 42 – Contemporary Gardens
• Module 43 – Construction 5

SECTION 6

• Module 44 – Professional Practice Part I
• Module 45 – Professional Practice Part II
• Module 46 – Professional Practice Part III
  

PROJECT WORK
Project work is submitted at the end of each of the six sections, and relates to the modules within that section. It includes making a site survey and analysis; preparing a client brief and concept boards; creating garden layouts and planting plans; drawing plans and elevations; creating perspective and axonometric drawings and rendering them in different media; sourcing hard landscaping materials, dealing with difficult sites, and understanding and planning garden lighting.

The course also gives you an understanding of plant biology, plant nomenclature, and gardening practice, as well as an overview of garden history, including contemporary gardens.

Both visual and verbal presentation skills are developed throughout the course, and the final section deals with professional practice, from building up your CV and portfolio to starting your own business.

At the end of the course there are projects in professional practice, and two final design projects to be completed – one residential and one commercial – which will sum up your understanding and skills gained throughout the course.

Students are required to work on a History of Garden Styles notebook and a Plant Combinations file, and also keep a sketchbook, which is submitted twice during the course.

KLC has developed a unique support system for our open learning students to ensure students achieve their goals:-