Diploma in Garden Design

The intensive Diploma course syllabus covers every aspect of training for the aspiring garden designer and the carefully constructed, linear programme, built around a series of varied design projects, has been designed to develop the potential of each student. The combination of lectures and practical workshops allows students to build up confidence quickly by putting newly acquired information straight into practice. Good time management is encouraged and students are also given an insight into the many potential career opportunities that exist as well as one to one career advice.

In the early stages, students are introduced to the fundamentals of design drawing, carefully integrated with an introduction to computer aided design, design principles, construction and presentation techniques all set in the context of the design process as a whole. All these areas are further developed as the course progresses so that graduates can develop their design solutions, on a sound basis, and effectively communicate their ideas to the client. Throughout the course considerable emphasis is placed on the importance of the relationship with the client.

Supporting studies, range from an inspirational exploration of the development of garden styles to down to earth practicalities such as pruning, planting and drainage. Other very relevant contemporary issues such as environmentally friendly design and technology are also highlighted.

THE LECTURERS
KLC lecturers are all working professionals of the highest calibre and include some of the country's top landscapers, garden designers, horticulturists and specialists.

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
Students are given an insight into sound business principles, procedures and practice. Topics include marketing, contracts, permissions, fees/charging, budgeting, costing and estimating, record keeping, insurance, designer/trade relationships, project co-ordination, legal responsibilities and how to run a workforce.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Computer Aided Design enables a designer to work faster with greater flexibility and to make adjustments to plans and elevations easily. It is rapidly becoming a must for the efficient running of a design practice and, as such, is an integral part of the Diploma Course. KLC uses MiniCAD VectorWorks, which is becoming the industry-standard CAD software.

Each student is given a year's license to VectorWorks 2009. This is one of the world’s best-selling cross-platform CAD applications for the design industry. It is a straightforward yet professional CAD program and helps to create present and designs.

THE PORTFOLIO
Students tackle a variety of interesting and challenging projects founded on a number of realistic design projects so that they build up an impressive portfolio of work to show prospective clients and employers. The brief is always given by the “client” and wherever possible students visit the actual site. Individuality is encouraged and it is our policy to ensure that students develop their own ideas rather than to impose a set house style.

Recent projects have included gardens at Nina Campbell’s Head Office, Glyndebourne, Great Dixter, The Royal Ballet School and, of course, Hampton Court Palace.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
No previous art or design experience is necessary but students must be at least twenty years old. Normally the entry standard is a degree, but mature students with sufficient prior learning experience are particularly encouraged. Entry is by interview and numbers are strictly limited. The purpose of the interview is to assess applicants' academic ability, motivation, performance under pressure and the reasons for undertaking the training. English language ability must also be competent and we look for a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (http://www.ielts.org/) or its equivalent. Students are also required to have a laptop computer for this course.

Students on KLC’s Diploma level courses are expected to use computers during their studies. These will be used for producing presentational material and for CAD and presentation software training. Important information relating to the course is sometimes communicated via email. For this reason, students should ensure that they are familiar with the general operation and use of computers (for example, they should be able to confidently create, amend, save and distribute documents, and use email) before starting their course. Prior experience in using either PCs or Macs will be equally helpful, and students are free to choose whichever type they prefer. Full details of the expected level of ability will be provided upon enrolment.

NOTE: The interview is the first step in the formal application process for KLC’s full-time courses. Before coming in you should check that you can study part-time, have the funding available, be of sufficient age and have the required language ability. To arrange an interview for this course, please contact us on 020 7376 3377 or e-mail info@klc.co.uk.

FUNDING
One option for your course funding could be a career development loan. For more details visit our General Information pages.

SECURITY
Please note that as a student on this course, we will need to undertake a security check so that you can be provided a security pass to gain access to Hampton Court Palace.

THE SYLLABUS

Introductory Week
Drawing skills, technical and sketching: lettering and titling, drawing plans, elevations and sections and mood boards

Term 1 – “Discovery”

• Guidance for self-generated research and project work
• Garden history – Ancient; Medieval; Renaissance; Formal
• Continued drawing, drafting, freehand sketching and rendering
  Inspirational lectures
• The role of the garden designer
• The design process - surveying/client brief/project management
• Design skills - principles of design
• Functional layout and conceptual work
• Practical gardening skills including pruning, training and propagation
• Planting design and principles including plans, schedules and using colour
• Plant & soil science including nomenclature
• Self-driven garden design analysis
• Introduction to hard landscaping

Term 2 – “Development”

• More complex design situations and theory, including the design of challenging sites
• Specialist lectures & visits
• Continued design theory, creativity and concept work
• Spring and summer related practical projects
• Garden history cont. – Early Landscape, Landscape Movement, 19th & 20th Century gardens
• Sketching, drafting and rendering continued
• Introduction to 2D CAD (VectorWorks)
• Presentation Techniques
• 1 & 2 Point Perspective
• Powerpoint presentations
• Hard landscaping - construction details continued, including water
• Study of Inspirational Designers

Term 3 – “Direction”

• Inspirational talks & lectures
• Business practice including specifications, contracts, project management, proposals and costing
• Portfolio advice and surgery
• CAD/Photoshop continued
• Concept design workshop
• More complex design situations and projects
  Garden lighting
• Project work – final project