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Trace – So now you not only want to eliminate irrigation in the central valley, you want to eliminate 30% of the US food production? It would be easier to move water to the fields than move crops to your beloved east coast. lets find more water in the form of desalination and reclaimed sources before you alter the economy of the entire United States.

I know a lot of LA’s who are not MLA graduates (most actually), and I know a lot of MLAs who are professors. if you want a job in teaching or theoretical design then a MLA is a great thing to pursue, I think you can always go back to get an MLA if you want the knowledge but I think that the others are right in saying to get your feet wet and start…[Read more]

It is difficult to get contractors to think beyond sprays, bubblers and rotors. We’ve had excellent results with sub-drip systems…not the spaghetti-tube stuff. We do require that the contractors are qualified to install the sub-drip (Netafim or Toro). The reps are happy to assist with installations if you’ve got a first time installer. It’s a…[Read more]

It’s been awhile since I took my test and I believe they have changed the format some since then (1991). What exactly is covered in Section D? I’ll be happy to help if I have anything that pertains to that section.

Haha, I thought I was the only LA Chip Foose fan. He has great graphics and works very fast and loose. He has a show called “Overhauling” which shows his renderings at least once an episode.
I like to use AD Chartpaks on Vellum as well, and to me Staedtler ergosoft colored pencils are hands down the best. Mike Lin does have great graphics. People…[Read more]

I am a big fan of Patrick Dougherty’s work. I had the good fortune of working with him on a few projects when he came to Clemson. The guy will work you to death harvesting the material.

http://www.stickwork.net/

Do a search on this site for the google group. Probably find it in the professional practice forums. That group and a trip to my old arch. library got me through the exams. If that fails, I can dig up some pdf’s for you. That section overlaps the other two multiple choice sections, so if you’ve passed those, the D stuff is all you’ll need.

For graphics, I really like the work of Mike Lin. I highly recommend getting his book “Drawing and Designing with Confidence”

He also holds seminars and training sessions of varying lengths. They are costly, but worth it for the results. Check out his website at http://www.beloose.com

When I render, I like to use AD Chartpak markers on vellum.…[Read more]

Thank you all so much for your advice. Your comments are invaluable to a student like myself who has little contacts within the field.

Bob, I don’t want to get an MLA because I have already been in school for 6 years and want to get into the field and start doing actual work. I am determined to succeed without one but why I feel like I should is…[Read more]

Joe,

I agree with what Bob and Stephen has recommended! Sound advice. I also suggest pursue what you love, and you will never work a day in your life. There are many games, one is being licensed which has a set pathway, but our professions is very broad and many pathways can fulfill your personal passions and goals. Be creative, more about that…[Read more]

Yeah, Darcy, that is exactly my point – (I see it’s kind of weird when one jumps into a discussion, previous participants all have at least a bit of conversational continuity ). I work in the central valley. When we design, we do not even use drip irrigation – our maintenance dudes don’t like drip…so we use bubblers and rotors. My contention is,…[Read more]

Joe,
You will find that most firms hire people for their particular needs. If they need someone with grading skills then illustrating capabilities would not help. If they need a Manager then he would supervise an illustrator. Get the picture?
If you can find the money, take one of Richard Scott’s Color Mastery courses. As a student of his I find…[Read more]

Why do you feel you need a MLA to become a Landscape designer, or even a Landscape Architect? Don’t focus on graphics skills, focus on being well rounded. If you must insist on being a standout graphics individual start with hand graphics, look at Mike Lin’s workshop or Richard Scott’s workshops for the best Landscape architectural graphics…[Read more]

I grew up on a farm in the Midwest that was, at one time, nothing but prairie grass and buffalo. However, we grew corn, oats, hay and cattle…not exactly a ‘native’ ecosystem but my father believed in being a good steward of the land and was responsible in crop rotations and not overgrazing the pastures. I know the devastation that these farmers…[Read more]

Hang on to that thought. It’s not so straightforward and simple if you need to swap the software to a different computer. Have this in mind and install it where you think it will be parked the longest-ka

Mark,
I have also started a spreadsheet for the Florida section of the LARE. It’s over 20 pages and still a work in progress, but I’d be happy to share with others. I need to take the exam in about a month, so any additional info you have would be helpful. I can be reached at brs@sikesdesign.net…Brad.

I always like Ian McHarg’s use of the word ‘fit.’ To me that says a lot..but I find also that the ability to simplify (even while possibly presenting a complex appearance!) is the most satisfying..Prospect Park in Brooklyn, with all it’s I think 500plus acres, only has three landscape elements – meadow, mountain, and lake, and each element is…[Read more]

Totally straightforward. Once the software shows up you go through a website where you shoot info to adobe proving you’re a student and they send back a serial number for the software. I was up and running within half a day once I got the package.

sorry, buy it on Land8 books, NOT amazon! It looks great!

Wisteria Lane. It is beautiful. Be cautious how you use wisteria inthe landscape.