Jennifer de Graaf

go vertical with your visual interest, you won’t have room for much layering.

Use plantings that are “transparent” (term borrowed from Oheme and Van Sweden I think) so you can have plantings that maintain an open feeling.

and I agree with andrew g – avoid complete separations, that is wasted work and materials. You know how hallways in homes rob…[Read more]

have you checked the portfolio design group?

A quick note – since hgtv is designed to appeal to a lower common denominator than I believe Landscape Architecture deserves, IF the ASLA decided to pursue a television outlet for industry promotion, using a network such as PBS or Discovery Channel would be far more appropriate and would reach an audience prepared to listen and understand.

There…[Read more]

I LOATHE hgtv.

I’m sorry for the negativity, but they have been blatantly ignoring the role of licensed landscape architects for years! They also make it seem like all the work we put in only takes a snazzy 20 minutes to accomplish. booo hgtv!

I wonder what would happen if ASLA actually tried to correct the problem, but I’m not holding my breath.

I took his 2 week workshop back in college and I don’t remember a lot of it, but I do still use the book. I actually just got it off the shelf last week to refresh! He’s doing some workshops all over the country this year (check his website, anyone interested). I briefly considered going to one, but can’t quite rationalize that kind of spending.

omg, yes! I am keeping a naughty and nice list including comments and dates so I don’t forget where my resumes have been over the last 8 years in CA (Texas the years before, no need for the list with those folks – all were nice!). Sounds wretched, but I have decided for myself that if/when I am ever in the position of hiring or not hiring, I will…[Read more]

I’ve used it in past years to post my resume and been found there by employers looking.

Right now, though, I think it is a waste of money because all an employer needs to do to find tons of job candidates is sift through the pile of resumes collecting in their circular file or stick their head out the door and ask “any landscape architects…[Read more]

San Jose State isn’t accepting students for spring 2010 and I don’t know about fall 2010, but they do something I like – their program allows for (emphasizes!!) that they offer their MUP programs on schedules that are designed for working professionals to be able to earn a degree p/t or in evenings.

I am hoping that I will be able to get into one…[Read more]

I feel more connected to ‘thinking with my hands’ when working conceptually or solving problems, but I would never do CD’s by hand…not anymore, it is just inefficient. I do believe that I think differently when I am drafting in the computer and that I am more creative with a pencil (even if the sketch looks like dog poop). in fact, I like to…[Read more]

I hope you’re right! I haven’t heard much different from 2009, but am hopeful that this is the year.

I passed the LARE and earned my license, but I must agree that the availability of useful preparatory materials is severely lacking. I passed all of the sections the first time, so I never participated in the review process.

I did not have a problem with the physical experience of the exam, the test site, time allowed, etc. I may have been…[Read more]

I’ve had this argument with my own parents more times than I would like and they still don’t understand. I also feel that I need to work to overcome the “what is wrong with my tree?” scenario given that I have extensive plant knowledge and have worked for the last several years on high end residential projects in the…[Read more]

I just bought cad LT 2010 from amazon and there’s a rebate offer from autodesk until sometime in January for an additional $300. savings (you have to fill out a form and send it in). That brought the price down to $509!!!!! AND they’ve added the revision cloud tool to cad LT now, so I didn’t see any reason not to get the LT version. Good luck!

Nick –
One of the main complaints I’ve heard from employers over the years is that the people out of school don’t know %&*@ about build-ability. They can’t detail things because they’ve never been out in the field, don’t know how big a CMU is, can’t spec a light fixture, etc. You get my drift.

I’ve worked for strictly design firms mostly, but…[Read more]

p.s. I also think there’s a difference between good/bad design and good/bad taste. so add that to the mix.

oh god – every firm I’ve worked for HATED drop-ins. That never worked, and it happened all the time.

I’ve seen (and heard) nothing regarding growth. I spoke with a friend earlier this week who still has a job and she said they’d sent out more contracts this month than last, but hadn’t had any come back signed. This is also a bad season for growth in our industry, clients are thinking of other things – the end of the year, taxes, holidays….

I…[Read more]

Thanks so much for posting that, I am looking forward to reading it!

I will put in another plug for the BLA. Don’t get a BSLA. The difference is 4 years of school vs. a 5 year “professional program”, and once you do that (which shouldn’t be too tough to do p/t and since you’re degreed already, you may be able to eliminate a bunch of general ed) – after which, you should be working towards licensure. I felt that my…[Read more]