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Permalink Reply by Nick Aceto on September 14, 2008 at 11:08am

I've tried to "invent" my own project in the past. It's difficult, but do-able. I understand what you mean by needing constraints and parameters. Why not search your local area for proposal requests?

My limited advice would be to first find a need or issue which could be addressed in the landscape (which is pretty much anything), do ALOT of research, choose a suitable site, create a program...etc. I think once you dig into your topic and learn more about your site the constraints will present themselves.

For example: I began formulating a project for mentally and physically impaired people. The idea was to create a sort of park with different elements for aiding folks with physical and mental impairments to assist them in orientation and independence. The primary aim of the project was focused around troops returning from war.

Unfortunately the project fell short at research. I sent ALOT of emails and made plenty of phone calls looking for information. I lost enthusiasm when I started getting no response from organizations I would have thought would be more helpful and enthused.

Another way to start may be to search around the websites of different LA programs. Often times the professor will have some project outlines posted on their website.

With all that said, I'm not sure how much you will really ve able to progress without a formal education. I found I got to a point as a landscape designer where I felt I needed "mentoring." There is good reason alot of us go well into debt and spend years studying this stuff. My advice there would be to sit in on a class or two if nothing else. Most programs offer at least an Intro level course which anyone can take.

Hope that is a little helpful.

-n

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on September 14, 2008 at 8:22pm

thanks guys. That is some help for now! I have been struggling with this for a while, trying to think of a site to work with, but with not much luck. But with your inspirational words I am thinking now of an outdoor mall here that's become a bit run down due to an earthquake a while back. And yes, the lack of mentoring is difficult, but I figure if I start this stuff early, then by the time I get to uni then hopefully I'll have gained a few more skills and a better appreciation for the design processes etc. Cheers, will let you know how I go with it.

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Permalink Reply by Tonie on January 4, 2009 at 7:13pm

Let me know if you'd be interested in working on a small urban yard with a steep left to right slope. The climate is a Sunset Western Gardening zone 16 (Mediterranean). We're looking for a low maintenance landscape that will be good for entertaining, attract birds, etc. I will start this project in a few months, so I'd be interested to see what you come up with. I can give you specifics, including photos, if you think it's a project you'd like to work on.

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Jason King on January 4, 2009 at 11:13pm

You could definitely check out the wide range of competitions - a good way to get a site, brief, and more importantly - a dealine and built in critics. And who knows, you maybe could even win something, which is great for the resume - or at the very least have some good porfolio materials. Bustler and Death By Architecture are a couple of good sources.

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