Activity

For what it’s worth, we use an internet blocking software at our office and it has blocked your site. If we had a job opening, or thought we might make one for the right candidate, there are ways to turn off the filters, but that adds a step to reviewing your work. With the ratio of applicants to open positions approaching ridiculous, I don’t…[Read more]

“You can be a Landscape Architect and also a painter, furnishing designer, illustrator, etc. etc. but if you have not passed the LARE then you are a painter, furnishing designer, illustrator, not a Landscape Architect.”
 
 
I get what you are saying here and I agree to some extent.  Even though I am not licensed I am a Landscape Architect.  I wen…[Read more]

Claudia makes excellent points. As a recent graduate, it is immensely frustrating to be unable to practice or earn a living with my hard-earned degree.
 
In order to even apply to take the LARE, I am required by state law to work under a licensed L.A. for two years. As there are no firms hiring in my area right now, I am effectively at a…[Read more]

Hey Michael,
Glad to hear you are interested in Webinars!   We hosted several last year and are getting close to announcing some in the next few months.  Currently, the topics for upcoming Webinars are: LARE, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Hand Graphics.  3ds Max would a good one to add to the list, for sure.
 
Thanks!
Andrew

Thanks Andrew–last entry nailed it.

Thanks for sharing that, seems like a great approach.

Depends on your point of view I guess.  Personally I find being able to use a mobile version of Excel and Word comes in mighty handy.  Using my WM phone to clock in mobile work crews with GPS location (that integrates into our Accounting system back at the office is pretty handy.  Oh and using my WM phone as a Data collector for my robotic Su…[Read more]

We have two things that are working in opposite directions. That is a flat price to make a sale and an hourly rate that you need to meet which can scare people off. It scares them that it will cost too much if the hours rack up. It also scares then if you tell them you are only going to put a small amount of time into their project. You have to…[Read more]

Good point Jonothon. There is a certain psychology involved when establishing worth, even with side jobs.  
Do you want clients to think that your time is expensive and you are worth every penny, or that you are a great deal and cheap?  And what do you want them to say when they recomend you to others?
If you prefer to be thought of as expensive…[Read more]

What did you do?

I don’t know…I think 40 is low for design sevices no matter where you practice or how new you are.  Unless you’re working a day job, you have an infinite number of clients or you’re doing your own installs, it’ll be hard to make a living.  Plus, if you charge a low rate, that’s what people will come to expect…

I agree and feel for you siuation, but I also think a lot of the responsibility lies on the side of the employee in terms of setting the standard for compensation–with so many entry levels willing to work for literally nothing, more experienced professionals naturally think their time and effort is worth less. If the labor market doesnt ‘…[Read more]

^ Like ^

I like Nick’s summary- “If an office has work, you should be compensated. If you bring a set of skills or level of dedication to a firm that leads to their success, you should be rewarded in some form”
 
That pretty much sums up the general notion of what a bonus SHOULD be for. But every employer is different. I worked at one office where…[Read more]

If you are working in a municipality or state office, you might want to contact the licensing board. I believe that there may be a few states that allow government workers who work as landscape architects and have LA degrees to sit for the exam ….  I know this is true for some licenses here in Massachusetts, not sure about LAs.

All good thoughts. I appreciate the comments from the employee side of the table but I am also interested in input from the employer side as well.  Meaning – How are bonuses determined?  As a percentage of profit made for each project?  Or of the overall profitability of the company?  How often? (quarterly, biannually, annually?)  What has prov…[Read more]

I don’t necessarily agree that ‘anyone with a BLA/MLA should be granted the right to call themselves a Landscape Architect.’
 
I think a lot of us would agree that we learned far more about the practice and craft in the years after graduation than we did in the classroom.
 
Personally, I feel offended if a person with no degree calls themself a L…[Read more]