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Here’s a nice little opinion piece a Delaware landscape architect wrote about McHarg’s proposals for Japan.  I think its notable in that he uses an internationally known event to publicize an aspect of landscape architecture that most laypeople don’t know about.  My Dad sent me a clipping and put a little note on it: “I thought this was a s…[Read more]

I do know there are other programs out there, that are modified CAD LT programs.  But like Andrew says, I want to be competitive so I need to know the real deal.

I actually looked at my local tech school website awhile back, and they did have a CAD class but it was offered during the day unfortunately.  I will look again though.

The difference is that if you go to ASLA Joblink right now and look at the first 20 jobs, 16 of them have “autocad” in them. Two of the four that don’t are for academic positions. One is for plant procurement and the last is for construction oversight. None mention “ArchiCAD”.
 
 

Hey!
I know most of the people out there are used to AutoCad but if you’re a beginner then why don’t you try ArchiCAD I think it’s a LOT more helpful for us.  AutoCad can be used for basic stuff or objects..  I only used it related to GIS or other kind of things, never for my projects. But that’s just me 🙂

Happy easter….The important thing is to be passionate about what you do and you guys sound like you are.
 
I do miss northern idaho and still count the area as a inspiration.
 
cr
 

You can also access, download and use all the Lynda programs for Autocad without paying for them.
Yes, this is a torrent site, so you know exactly what your doing, at least I did. But I downloaded every AutoCAD tutorial program from Lynda and VTC, and at no cost.
You need a torrent downloader program like BitTorrent or BitComet.
With this site,…[Read more]

Autocad is taught in a lot of local adult ed programs at night in high schools, community colleges and such. I see it here on Cape Cod where there is not a greater compelling need to teach/learn it than any other community across the country. I think you’ll find one close by for “normal” night school adult ed rates.
You get so much more out of…[Read more]

I really think what I need most is a series of simple exercises. Get me started, help me create a few simple shapes and deal with the basic drawing tools and layout, and then I can build on that with other tutorials. None of the tutorials I have seen so far does that, really. Can anyone think of a site that does?

Thank you everyone!  At the moment I am working as a planner so I don’t get to use CAD at work, and if I want to become a licensed LA I know I will need to learn it.  As several have pointed out, it’s really hard to just sit down and learn it without someone else there to answer questions every 5 minutes.  But I shall persevere!

Thanks!  I’ve used sketchup before, it’s very intuitive and easy to grasp.  (Unlike Autocad!)  I’ll have a look at your site too.

I saw that Lynda site, and it did look pretty good, but I was afraid to register and pay a bunch of money just in case it wasn’t as great as it appeared.  Maybe I will try it for a month or so and see how it goes.
 
There are some good free tutorial sites out there, and youtube, but they all seem to be more advanced, rather than what I need, w…[Read more]

I recently taught myself to use Autocad and here is what helped me. Start here, http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/ .  The tutorials are a basic overview of the program and will help you get familiar with the program.  They also have a message board if you have any questions.  There are also many other CAD sites on the internet.  Some that helpe…[Read more]

Good to hear this, as I just came here after reading a MarketWatch article about the federal deficit and what the recession will have cost the economy that actually said “by the time it recovers in 2016.”

No worries Craig. I just wanted to throw another option out for other entry levels like us that haven’t been able to find work. I am sure that regionally there are big differences in regards to marketing, etc. Being in Northern Idaho…the market of So. Ca sounds amazing! haha. Well, that and the plant palate. haha. 🙂
I am sure you have great…[Read more]

For where ever you are at design build may work…..here in LA in my estimation it does not……There are so many landscape design build firms here that your head swims….a lot of them do good work. Also with the cost of living and business cost being so high you have to make some serious coin. 
 
Another reason I do not like design build is t…[Read more]

Also, wanted to add that I totally  understand not wanting to get stuck! We have really fought against being “stuck” and it has been very frustrating. My husband graduated in ’08 and I did in ’09…we have been here for six years. NOT part of the plan. We are beginning to realize this is our home. I would take another look at So. Ca and perhaps…[Read more]

I don’t necessarily agree that design/build is impossible unless there is a high end market. The area we live in is nowhere what I would call high end…but we have done more then survive for a couple years in our college town. Yes, it is stressful…but for us…with a young family there is nothing more stressful then not having enough money to…[Read more]

Design build is tough, i would say impossible unless you tap into a high end residentual market. I had my own design firm for some years and even with a partner it in itself was brutal both physically and emotionally as i was working 14 hour days 6-7 days a week with a young family.
 
Personally from a artistic point of view i would never do…[Read more]

I agree that LA owned design/build (in the true sense rather than contract administration) is generally a one LA shop. I went to work for a BLA (not registered) owned exceptional design/build as an RLA. What I never saw coming was that after the first three months of selling design followed by selling the build, he put the brakes on me. Why?…[Read more]