[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Andrew;

First off (and this is not an excuse, but, I have never had an employee)….I’ve been freelance since 1991.

However, IF I had had a larger firm, with several LA employees…..and some left to pursue another job at another LA firm……if they were to use work samples from my LA firm, I would want them to at LEAST give my LA firm credit.  That they did NOT do the design work themselves. 

I feel sure that when other LA firms interview Landscape Architects (who have experience), they know, when they are coming from another LA firm…the work is really NOT entirely their own work.  But, these firms want to SEE your Portfolio….I think this is just a normal part of the process.

IF I had employees who left….and went after my clientele OR tried to take 100% credit for design projects they did while at my firm (not giving my firm credit), yes, I’d have a problem with that.

I know that at the Dallas LA firm I was with…..we set up a branch office in Tampa, Florida.  We sent (2) of our LA’s out there to set up the office and hire additional LA’s.  Both of those LA’s sent to Tampa were “required” to sign a “no compete” contract……which, I believe, stated those 2 LA’s could not (if they left the firm) design ANY LA projects within a 200 mile radius of Tampa for (2) yrs.  Not sure just how legal that is.  That branch was closed down about 7 yrs. later due to lack of work….and the (2) LA’s ended establishing their own very successful LA firms.

 

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Cory;

I’m “assuming” you never signed a “contract” with your current employer that stated you would NOT use any of that firm’s design work IF you ever left.  My guess is, you didn’t because that’s really not normal practice…..at least not with any LA firms I know of.

I worked for a Dallas LA firm for 13 years (1978 – 1991)…and within that time, I also logged in over 4,000 hours of over-time (or almost 2 additional yrs.).  Personally designed approx. 300+ projects (wide variety).  I helped make the (2) Partners multi-millionaires.  In 1991, the firm had ZERO work…and did a massive layoff.  I was 41.  I had no choice but to est. my own LA firm…as the job market at that time was almost as bad as it is today.  Well, in order to do establish my own LA firm…..I HAD to show developers, architects, engineers, landscape contractors, etc., samples of my previous design work……..i.e., prelim. color renderings, final contract documents, sketches, construction details, photos of built work I designed, etc.  Had I NOT been able to do that…..I have NO IDEA HOW I would have been able to establish my own LA firm.  And the salary I was paid with that Dallas firm was ridiculous….I did at least 7x better financially on my own…after I got my firm up and running.

I will say this…..NEVER once did I go after ANY of my former LA firm’s clientele.  I could have….and probably offered to design their work for 50% less….but, I didn’t.  I spent the next 3 years establishing my own firm.  All of my clients, once I established my own LA firm were my Own.

In my opinion, I feel your past employer is being UNFAIR to you…and unreasonable. 

I began building my “Professional LA Portfolio” very early on in my LA career, because I knew it was important…..that Portfolio is “KEY” to your future as Landscape Architect. 

Good Luck!

J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Hey, you’re welcome Goustan.

Well…..of course, I can’t (nor can anyone else) predict the FUTURE of Landscape Architecture OR our economy. 

I just wanted to share my experiences with other LAND8 members…..it’s just important to be “prepared” for what the FUTURE may bring…..because, we just never know.

You’re still young enough to learn MUCH over the next few years.

Like I suggested (be a sponge)…learn everything you can from the LA firm where you’re employed.  You’ll be fine.

Good Luck!

Bob

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

You’re more than welcome, Akinyinka!  Please stay in touch…I’m confident that you’re going to have a very successful career…as a very talented Landscape Architect.

Best Regards,

Bob

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Hi Akinyinka;

I just looked at your Portfolio again…..your “revised” version.  OUTSTANDING!!!  Really, one of the best student Portfolios I’ve seen in some time.  You shouldn’t have a problem finding an LA job.

Stilll……as I have suggested to many young LA’s…..getting a copy of the job interview book “Hire Me” is a great $10.00 investment.  It’s on Amazon.com and I believe you can even get an e-copy and download it.  Great book.  Tells you everything you will need to know to give an outstanding “job interview”…..which is very important.  Having an excellent Portfolio (like you have, is very important), but also, being able to do great job interviews is critical in today’s VERY competitive job market.

Best of Luck to You!

Bob

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

No problem.

Best of Luck with your Landscape Architecture career, Thomas.

Kind Regards,

Bob

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Thomas…….#1….you need to go to the LAND8 site and “edit” your profile information.  I looked you up…..and the profile I looked at stated you ARE a student.  Now, I see you have another LAND8 profile that says you are a “professional”….which is it?  Do you now understand HOW I would be confused as to your “status”.  Maybe you could clear up the confusion by eliminating your “student” profile here on LAND8.

#2…..There’s nothing wrong with my attitude, Thomas.  You were being a rude with your little comment.  I was trying to be “helpful’……to not only you, but to other young LAs as well.

#3….Explain HOW can you be hired by “two very large firms”?  Unless you’re only working “part-time” for both of them. LA jobs are very difficult to come by in the U.S. and the U.K…..most LA’s are very lucky to have ONE job. 

#4….IF you are now a “Professional”, be proud of the firm you work for and indicate their name and their website.

#5….You will NOT go far in the Landscape Architecture profession being disrespectful to Principal/Senior LA’s……I promise.

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Thomas……………..being that you are STILL an LA student, you might want to pay attention here.

When you go for your 1st JOB interview……one of the things you BETTER be good at is being able to SPEAK well in front of that potential EMPLOYER.  He/She may ask you to stand up in front of them…..and using one of your projects, give them a “verbal presentation” of that project.  I know, because, I have had to do that at a job interview.

If you give a POOR verbal presentation……that may very well cost you that job!

Listen, I have absolutely no affiliation with the job interview book I recommended OR the author.  But, IF you don’t know HOW to give a GREAT job interview……you may just be searching for a job for a VERY LONG time! 

But, you go ahead and laugh, if you like……You just THINK you have all the answers….guess again, you don’t.  BEFORE you concern yourself with “public speaking” as a Landscape Architect………you first have to become one…..you think?

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

I agree……..some excellent points!

I will ADD this……with respect to JOB INTERVIEWS.  I highly recommend buying and reading the job interview book called……..”HIRE ME” by Patricia Drain.  You can find it on Amazon.com…and I believe you can also buy an electronic copy and just download it.  I believe it’s less than $10.00.

With today’s job market as bad as it is….especially for Landscape Architects, job interviews are just really difficult to come by.  So, when you do get a job interview, you really MUST give a fantastic job interview.  I’ve read where many LA grads have sent out hundreds of Resume’s and have NOT been invited for a single job interview.  So, LA’s, whether your a new grad or not, you have to make EVERY job interview count….you’ve got to nail every one of them.

I found this book to be extremely helpful.  It’s about a 45 minute read.  In the back of the book, the author added approx. 50 potential job interview questions….along with her suggestions of how you might best respond to those questions. 

One of the many things I got out of this book….that really got my attention was this…..the author states that “the job interviewer will make his/her decision on whether or not to offer you a JOB within (7) seconds after first laying eyes on you”……so, “first impressions” definitely DO count!

Of course, it definitely helps to have a GREAT design portfolio….but, if you don’t give an outstanding “job interview”……that portfolio won’t do you much good.

GOOD LUCK!

J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Hi Akinyinka;

Yes…..I had posted a few comments last night……for some reason, they never posted.

Overall….VERY NICE Portfolio.  Great use of color & graphics are well done.

These are my suggestions:

*Garden for the Blind….colors seem a bit too pastel.  If you can’t somehow get the colors to be bolder……I’d pull this example.

*Poseidon Plaza….I’d pull this example (just not one of your best).  Remember, whether it’s a student or professional LA portfolio….ONLY post your very best work.

*Emory Memory Garden…..I’d pull this example out as well.

*Memorial Garden – The line weights on the Planting Plan & Details is “too weak”. They are very difficult to read.  I’m assuming these are autoCAD drawings….so, you could go back and get the line weights “bolder”.  On most autoCAD drawings (or even those that are hand drawn), 4 to 6 different line weights are used to get a drawing to “read” well.

*Your sketches/drawings at the bottom are very well done!  But, I would pull those that are NOT related to Landscape Architecture.

Otherwise….VERY WELL DONE!  Please do not hesitate to contact me if there’s ANY additional help I can give you.

Kind Regards,

J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Well…..I was curious, so I looked it up.  According to U.S. News & World Report…..ranking the Top Graphic Design Schools/Programs in the World………Rhode Island School of Design #1….Art Center School of Design in California came in at #7.

 

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Goustan……..Yes, I agree, in very large LA firms (there probably are areas of specialization)…..from design to autocad to photoshop, 3D graphics, etc. 

But, it would be MY recommendation…that LA’s become a “sponge”, especially in large LA firms.  Learn everything you can from everyone.  Yes, today, you may be in a large firm, performing (1) special function in that firm. But, trust me……there very well could come a day where you will find yourself…….”on your own”.  And when you do, you BETTER be able to do hand sketching, great design, fantastic color renderings, grading plans, planting plans, contract administration, job site inspections…..the whole 9 yards. 

Because there are a TON of LA’s over the age of 50 who have found themselves…….unwanted.  LA firms tend to focus on 25 to 40 yr. old LA’s.

When I was with a Dallas, Tx. LA firm for 13 yrs…everyone on staff had to handle 100% of every aspect of every project…..drafting base sheets, prelim. designs, pool designs, grading plans, planting count take-offs, cost estimates, const. details, planting design, writing specs., color graphic presentations, sketches, etc. 

As it turned out, in 1991, at the age of 41…..we had massive layoffs at that firm….we were totally out of work.  And there were ZERO jobs out there.  I had little choice but to take what I had learned….and est. my own LA firm.  No way I could have succeeded had I NOT learned all of the various LA tasks that I did those previous 13 years at that Dallas firm.  And, even with 13 yrs. of exp., it still took me (3) years to get my own LA firm established.

So, don’t allow yourself to get stuck in a pigeon hole….doing one or two tasks……learn EVERYTHING you possible can.  Because, if you’re NOT the whole “package” by the time you’ve been an LA for say, 15 yrs….you’re LA career could be cut SHORT.  I believe maybe as many as 30% of all LA’s are “freelance”…on their own.  And my bet is a great majority of them are over the age of 50.  Because, no LA firm wants to hire LA’s over 45 to 50 yrs. old…it’s very rare.

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

This “hand drawn – hand painted” graphic was by my Dad – “Jim Wainner”.  Dad was a gifted designer for 35 years as both an Advertising Artist & Graphic Designer.  He was a major influence on WHY I decided to become a professional Landscape Architect. Dad was my “best mentor”, but I have had many fantastically talented “mentors” throughout my own 36+ yr. LA career.

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

Interesting,Andrew……to learn this about Brian.  I did a little research…it seems that my Dad & Mike Lin BOTH studied at the Los Angeles Art Center School of Design.  My Dad did very little “gallery art”, 90% of his design career was in Advertising Art.  While he was a freelance Advertising Artist, I remember my Dad having the acct. for “Braniff Airlines”. My Dad’s graphic ‘style” was photo-realism – very different than Mike Lin’s style.

I was using MY 36+ yrs. of LA exp. (graphic exp.) to make a few suggestions to Brian…..where I felt he could do some things to make the graphic presentation he posted….stronger & bolder…more realistic. I’ll never be as good as my Dad or as good as Mike Lin.  My strength is actually with “plan graphics”…I was only trying to help Brian.

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