[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

To keep file sizes down in PSD renderings I’ll group like items (trees and shrubs, furnishings, etc.) in folders and then export them to other files, which i then close and import back in later — keeping only a flattened version of the trees in my working file, to compress file size.

To accurately import/export files to and from your file (without having to move, nudge around, etc.) just right click your layer or group, go to “Duplicate Layer” and then change the “Document:” to “New”.  Photoshop will export (and later re-import) your working files to and from your files in the exact same location.

Hopefully that made some sense…

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Sorry all, I know I’m opening a can of worms here, but — J Robert, we get it.  You despise computers and their software and constantly argue that “real LAs use pens and hand draw everything” — but it’s not true.  Saying that simply dismisses everyone’s abilities, training, insight, knowledge, etc. just because they work on a computer.  It’s okay if you don’t want to use one or if you prefer the methods you’re accustomed to, but the world — our world — is changing and evolving and these “computers” are a part of that.  Saying something is lesser because it’s done digitally simply belittles others and diminishes the profession.  We’re all here together doing what we do as LAs and I don’t get the purpose of your argument.  I get your side, but I never see the point of it. 

Artists in every facet of the word express themselves through different mediums; pastel, oil, marble, film, pencil and even on a computer.  It’s reality, always has been.  Is NASA less important because they use technologies that the Wright brothers never had?  That’s kind of the argument I’m getting.

Peace to all.  Feel free to respond, but I won’t reply to that.  I’m not here to argue “sides” I’m just stating the fact that we don’t all agree — with you or one another — on every topic.  On this one, just let it slide.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I like this little program called AutoCad.  Seems to work for me…

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

I’d say the key to most people having a job (or having kept a job through the past few years) is versatility.  Not always true in every firm, but most levels and titles within the office do Cad to some extent — from intern through PMs and associates, etc…  it’s a necessary evil skill.  We all get that; so brush up on it.

But, aside from Cad, it always helps to show what else you can do to assist.  Can you learn/demonstrate a good understanding of page layout in InDesign for proposals, presentations, etc?  Can you use Photoshop to render a plan or create a simulation?  (Bradley Cantrell has a good book and a great weekend course (or at least used to) that I’ve found helpful and methodical.)  Some companies love Sketchup (Daniel Tal’s book). etc…  Even if you’re well versed in construction detailing, construction admin, etc.  it always helps to have a diverse skill set that shows when the office slammed you can jump in help on something.  It also helps to show that when the office is slow you’re also versatile enough to step out of your “role” and do something else.  That’s all I got.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

A lot of grade schools in Berkeley/Oakland (Rockridge) area are doing a lot of veggie gardens. Alice Waters (chef/Cal alum) has done a ton of work to initiate some fun stuff in the area.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Just don’t stamp or sign anything and you’ll be fine.  You, individually, aren’t liable nor responsible for any work that goes out of the office that doesn’t have your name, stamp or signature on it.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Fun concept, but sadly enough — leaving that amount of maintenance, care, and harvesting (time and money) into the hands of a city or public agency probably isn’t going to happen.  Maybe 1 in 100 people stop and pick an apple, but most fruit would be left to rot or fall off the tree and sit on the sidewalk/gutter — which then leads to higher risk of vandalism.  I love the idea and would like to see agriculture implemented into everyday lives through design and planning.  Good work!

Personally, in a walkable community I’d love to see privately owned and maintained agriculture opened up to a community — maybe via GIS technologies various trees and produce could be mapped and accessed at the owner’s allowance.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

1] make sure it’s good photography.  not ‘your mom thinks it’s good because she loves you’ — but actually, good.  if it’s artistic or documentary — whatever — make sure it’s good.  everyone puts photos in a portfolio these days — if you can’t stand out in a positive way then ditch the idea.

2] Personally, I wouldn’t put any photography in a portfolio that wasn’t taken on a DSLR.  A good eye is something most designers have. (emphasis on most — not all), but if you can portray that you can use your camera like an artist uses their pens/pencils then you’re onto something.  if you can utilize light, motion, bokeh, etc. and show them you understand shutter speed, ISO, and aperture then you’re moving past everyone else shooting photos on #instagram or a point-and-shoot.

3] tell a story through layout.  if it’s a grid or if it’s loose — do something with the layout and presentation.  i see a lot of portfolios with photos that look sloppy.  in an age of indesign/illustrator (whatever your preferred method is) it’s critical that you can show you CARE about the finished product — your portfolio piece isn’t done when you present it to your professor — its’ done when it’s laid out in your portfolio.

4] keep it to 1 page at the most.  if it can be combined with sketches, graphics, etc. then that’s probably better — but if it’s a stand alone page of photos just make sure they’re actually, really, technically sound and beautiful images.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

from the date i passed the test to the date i was notified everything cleared and was being sent to me was close to 6 weeks. i’ve heard some people it’s 3-4 weeks, but there was a computer issue on their end when it was my turn.  they’ll tell you 4-6 weeks if you call to ask and weren’t really the most helpful until i called and said it had already been 6 weeks — then they checked into it.

as for the stamp, i digitally created my own — editing one my office has in the library.  if you want a ‘hardcopy’ rubber stamp I’m guessing you’d almost have to do that yourself too?  I can’t see the state funding/providing the legwork to get that done.  maybe they have a vendor — or maybe i’m way off and somehow the state does…

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Interesting.  I just passed CA and found it to be confusing — at least in terms of what the focus was .  I’d say close to 25% of it was on water conservation through current irrigation regulations, where as I would have thought it would be geared more towards health, safety and welfare of the public — you know, landscape architect stuff. 

I wouldn’t say it was prohibitive, but I would say the exams are inconsistent, and thus hypocritical.  I don’t know the scoring standards for the multiple choice exams, but I’m guessing that every question carries the same weight and is worth the same amount.  If it’s supposed to determine competency, then more critical aspects of knowledge should be weighed heavier than others.  Knowing the proper codes for guardrails means a lot more than knowing what your irrigation consultant uses CIMIS for.  But, in the graphic exams (LARE) things are weighed accordingly.  If you design a ramp with a 15% slope odds are you’re going to fail because “you fail to grasp the basic level competency required to be a practicing landscape architect,” but in the multiple choice exams you can get the CIMIS question right and miss the slope question by a mile and it probably still evens out in the middle. 

That being said, I’d say it was still difficult.  I’m not sure it’s gotten easier, if anything it’s gotten more difficult.  My CA predecessors were blessed with no exam for awhile, and then it was changed to a take-home, fill-in-the-blank-right-out-of-the-book exam — it was just a few years ago that they changed it to an actual exam.  And from that I’d say it’s probably a little more difficult today than it may have been in 2009 as they’ve revised. 

Good luck to anyone pursuing licensure or preparing for the exam!

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

My recent exam had a lot of native plants and plant groupings. Oaks, slopes, fire, erosion, etc….

Know your irrigation — MAWA, ETWU,(MWELO)/ AB1881, CIMIS; backflow preventers, reclaimed/recycled water in irrigation.

Know your Cal Green. Know your CEQA too and about EIRs and NDs.

Know your ADA information — clearances, slopes, cross slopes, ramps, stairs, fence, guardrails, handrails, grates, etc….

Know your agencies and what they do: local agencies and state, Fish and Game, US Army CoE, Coastal commission, Dept of fish and Game, USFWS…

Title 24, Practice Act, limitations in what a landscape architect can and cannot detail.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Has anyone taken the exam in the past 6 months that I can run a study guide by (via email) to see if what I’m studying is comparable to what you saw on the exam?

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Haha… way to push an “open discussion” about an eternally sensitive subject then rudely pounce on the first person who has a differing viewpoint than yourself. 

How has the economic stability and/or job growth for our profession been in the last 4 years under Obama?  Not great it seems.  How will it change under a Romney/Ryan ticket?  Who knows — maybe none.  Maybe in a positive or maybe in an negative way; maybe we’ll find out.

It would be nice to see some politically driven discussion here on Land8, especially over the next few months since these things do affect us all, but let’s keep it a discussion —  maybe people could learn a thing or two from someone.  It’s not your sounding board to attack people with differing perspectives.  Let’s keep it cool. 

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

For steps, it’s always safe to use the 2R(isers) + T(read) = 24″ – 27″ — that formula gives steps a well proportioned, non-awkward and safe feeling when being used

I tend to try to steer clear of the single step because it usually ends up being a trip hazard — but that being said, if the grading dictates that say a single, 6″ riser is all that’s needed then I’d rather have a single riser at 6″ than two (2) risers at 3″ a piece.  If it’s a private residence/patio — there’s a lot more leniency in something like that.

[Daniel Miller | RLA, LEED AP]

Success?  Eh…. hard to say.  Jerry Hasting’s is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable — but if you can get your hands on the worksheets/study materials it’s almost just as helpful. I’d recommend studying a lot before deciding to sign up — and go in with specific problems/issues you’re having and get the assistance you need with solving specific problems.

With the new testing format it’s even more difficult to say how helpful they’ll be.

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