mauiBob

While there’s nothing wrong with expanding your software application knowledge, I’m certainly for it, but it is also wise to be careful. An LA firm isn’t going to ask an entry level person to work billable hours on designing websites. The time you put into learning the “graphic designer’s tools” you could be spending it on more important matters…[Read more]

Trace, Wow! You hit the nail on the head. I give you the badge for best comment of the month! Just be careful that you don’t extend too far. Someone with only a BLA doesn’t mean they don’t possess visionary thinking like the MLA and a person with a MLA doesn’t mean they’re not technically proficient either. Everybody is different and you should…[Read more]

Neive, you will only pass on earth once. Anything is possible. Follow your dream and live like there’s no tomorrow!
 
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” he told Stanford University graduates during a commencement speech…[Read more]

Yeah…I hear ya! I’m still pissed off about the football game 2 weeks ago. Why can’t my Chargers beat the Patriots?! Don’t answer. This is what happens when you do planning related work rather than creative, landscape designs. Its been over 3 months since I looked at a landscape plan or opened up Autocad.
 
Take the hiking boots in bear…[Read more]

Andrew,
While I get the story, it is also out of touch with modern times. Maybe I’m being too literal here. The preferred choice during a walk through the forest in bear country is “the greatest hiking boots”. Hiking boots like computers and softwares have evolved the last 20 years. I suspect the metaphor was written some 30 years ago. Choosing…[Read more]

I agree with you, Cara! I’m on your side and can be your personal bodyguard if your in need of ninja protection. These guys are missing your point of view and I question if they read all of the posted comments. That’s our society today, to blame it on the other person.

What are you talking about, Craig? From what I heard, Craig of NYC is the greatest LA on earth.

Craig,
According to latest stats I saw from Dylan Radigan MSNBC show, the figures are dismal for non-college grads. High school grads and those with some college education make up roughly most of the unemployed. You’re just getting by remember? You said it, not me. Unlike a few years ago when business was great. I agree with you that the economy…[Read more]

How bad is the Economy?
 
The economy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail. CEO’s are now playing miniature golf. Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen. Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America. Motel Six won’t leave the light on anymore. A picture is now only worth 200 words. They renamed Wall Street ‘Wal-Mart Street’.…[Read more]

Government reports had it at 33% and I don’t know how current the stat, but its the last one I saw. LAs also had the highest percentage of self employment from all the A&E professions.
What impresses me most about this Maui LA is that he is getting by without Cad and all those softwares “we” other LAs think are so important. His freehand drawing…[Read more]

10x? That’s just pure greed. Unless they paid you at $12 or less an hour. No wonder so many LA firms laid off staff. In Hawaii, from what I’ve seen and heard, only the principals bill at over $100 bucks. Its also the reason why many firms were able to retain their staff.

It can be done!
Here on Maui, there’s a one man LA shop who has been getting along for 30+ years now. I’ve reviewed some of his work (SMA approval, permit appl) and know him professionally for the past 3 years. According to him, about 95% of his work consist of residential designs. He is literally a one man shop! He does no Cad work, no photoshop…[Read more]

Craig,
the only thing we really disagree on is the changing course or career part. You’re telling people to remain in the LA profession when you also changed careers to become an LA! Here’s a stat I just learned on the Dylan Radigan, MSNBC show this morning: of the percentage of unemployed workers in America today, only 4.8% have college degrees.…[Read more]

Markets open in 3 hours. You buy. It goes up on Monday. Best advice about the market: “Always do the opposite of what most people think.” The buy low and sell high theory is misguided. Nobody knows when the low actually occur. In March 2009, it went very low and many were still saying it would go lower, but it never did drop below 6500. Many…[Read more]

You live in Idaho! A heavy red state and Palin was a U of I grad too. Its so obvious the GOP protects the wealthy in America, while ignoring the middle class in terms of financial matters. The GOP then uses religion, gun ownership and a few other selective subjects to rally their middle class Republican sheeps. And I especially love the way the…[Read more]

Craig, People change careers all the time, in every profession. You have architects wanting to become chefs on television, doctors turning to full time wedding photographers, lawyers getting their teaching credentials and becoming a high school teacher, etc. And lets not forget the truck driver who went to school for landscape architecture. I give…[Read more]

The only firm who seem to think an MLA is important is Design Workshop. From 1999 to 2008, their employment ads always had a preference for the MLA. I know because I applied on three different occasions, received 2 interviews (Tahoe and Phoenix offices) but never a work offer.
Getting a BSLA and MLA makes no sense. Pursue something in business or…[Read more]

Looming? It started back in April 2011. The recent stock market crash only means one thing: time to BUY! Are you a wolf or a sheep. I’ll come back to this trend later and give my two-cents worth of opinion…

You’re doing the right thing, Ashish! Don’t be fooled by some of the comments regarding economics. Its a very sexy subject, almost as great as finance. It opens up more opportunities when you graduate. Perhaps you can even return to landscape architecture field by becoming a developer or working for one. I’ve been saying this for months, LA is a…[Read more]

Start using a Mac computer and suddenly everything fall on your lap with ease!! Money will grow on trees in your yard.
 
I don’t know why I’m doing this. You said you have some experience, but your work reads like a student portfolio. Put those fancy, fantasy, imaginary plans to bed, permanently. It might be nice graphics, so show only two sets…[Read more]