[Walter Bone, RLA]

Thank yo Bob for your previous remarks. Sounds scary, lol. I ran across this site, but it dates back to 2012. Site is still up and running, but I have received no response when leaving messages.

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If anyone has further information, it would greatly be appreciated.
Walter

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Pretty cool, I hope they enjoy it.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Most any laptop with a good graphics card will suffice.  Nowadays, touch screen capabilities with a pen seems to be the trend.  Actually drawing and sketching on your laptop.

Unfortunately, the industry lacks a complete understanding of size requirements.  We are limited to 10-12″, then jumps to 23″ and higher.  Why not make a laptop with sketching capabilities in the 15-17″ range.  For me, the 10-12″ is too small and uncomfortable to sketch on and the larger ones need a push cart to carry, lol.

Here is a sample one of my staff did on his Microsoft Surface Pro (still too small for me).

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Hi Madeline,

I currently work overseas and have been out of the US for almost 10 years.  As other have mentioned, I would start in the US, gain some experince and definitely get your license.  As mentioned, concentrate on being very productive and learn how to master construction document preparation and how things are put together.

I have worked for multi-disciplinary firms in the US and was exposed to other disciplines like civil/road engineers, architects, structural, environmental, etc.  I worked closely with these disciplines and found myself resolving engineering solutions, at times, better than the engineers.  This is due to my LA background/education.  Absorb as much knowledge as possible from the other disciplines, which will make you a stronger candidate.

I have lived in Hong Kong, Macau, China and now Dubai, UAE.  I have been very fortunate to have worked throughout China, 2 large casino resort projects in Macau and Theme Park work in Hong Kong and India.

I am now the Senior Landscape Manager in Dubai woking on the new large theme park consisting of Phase 1, Motiongate, Bollywood and Legoland.  I start next month on the new Six Flags which is Phase 2.  Work is booming here for LA’s.

I wish you the best of luck and enjoy your work 🙂

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Very easy, when I took it they sent you the materials, read through them and then took the exam.  Simple and straight forward.  Firebreaks, water sensative design.  It is all in the materials they send you.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Hi Socorro, nice work.  For photographing your finished works, grab a hose and water down everything.  Colors are richer and makes for better shots.  Again, nice work, keep it up.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

My pleasure and look forward to it.  Thanks.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Sorry for the delay Cheryl.  If snow plowing will be performed, then a solid surface will be required.  Consider, of course, scratching/scraping of the hard surface and other deformities that will occur. 

Maybe simple stamped and stained concrete will do the trick with a mottled textured finish.  This could hide some deformities of the snow plowing operations.  You can use a softer, cooler color as well, so it blends into the natural surroundings.  Pads shouldn’t be used due to the fact they will get caught by the snow plowing blade and get destroyed, same with Grass Pavers.

My hometown growing up in Lynchburg, VA has snow and people have asphalt driveways, concrete or pea gravel.  Concrete will chip and crack over time if not done properly and pea gravel cannot be plowed, but applying salt to melt the ice is another option.

Here is a color chart for color selection for the integral colored concrete.

http://www.butterfieldcolor.com/decorative-concrete-colors.php

This does not solve the drainage problem, but running perforated piping along and crossing under the drive at certain points can solve the drainage issue as long as there is some slopes to deal with.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Hi Cheryl, GrassPave is nice, but not so much so women who wear any heels of any height.  There are different ways to approach the design of it. 

First, just a fine pea gravel drive with edging will work better than GrassPave and has kind of a sexy sound when pulling up.  You could include a hard surfaced drop-off area at the front door if space allows it.  Thinking of those old French Palaces with a center island of plantings or water feature;

Second, you could create a series of square/rectangular concrete pads that are pea gravel filled in between to capture the surface runoff as it crosses the driveway.

Hope this helps.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

You should always show at mature sizes and if needed, show pics of actual sizes at planting.  Contractors may want show installed sizes, that is ok, but to show the client the end result, always show mature sizes.  Throughout Asia, firms show smaller than mature sizes for no reason at all, it is very frustrating trying to teach and show younger staff (most without an LA background) how to properly present planting plans graphically.  It’s a work in progress.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Don’t worry about contacting any States, go straight to CLARB to start the process…..they will tell you the same.  It is a National Exam that everyone has to take in order to be licensed. 

Some states require 1, 2 or 3 years, but you should be able with the proper qualifications, recommendations, transcripts, etc.  It will take time to fulfill all the required documents that have to be mailed from your universities, recommendations, etc.

Sign up today and see al lthe requirements.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

I would stronlgy advise to sign up with CLARB.  The licensing process is a national one and you are required to take the L.A.R.E. offered twice a year and administered by CLARB.  CLARB is a licensure database and maintains your records with annual updates. 

To get licensure in VA, you have to pass the LARE, then apply.  In VA it is only a Certification and they only have a Title Law.  Most other states have Title and Practice laws.

Go to CLARB.org and check it out, sign up and get your licensure process started.

Hope this helps.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

Shenzhen is a decent City, nice people and many things to do, borders Hong Kong. I lived in Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen for 6.5 years moving there from Vegas. I am now in Dubai as of January last year. My only advice is to be very careful which company you work for. Many companies throughout China, other than the big name firms, are not honest and you will need to protect yourself.

For example, the first firm I worked for in Shenzhen never submitted my contract to the gov’t so it was not lawful employment.  I was not paid fully and left with them owing me money.  They continue to advertise and luring expat designers there.  They are associated with a US architecture firm, but the US firm is unaware about their operation as long as they receive their monies.

Hong Kong is far more honest, etc, but again, be aware of who you work for.  The company I was brought over with a US based firm and now the Hong Kong office is no longer associated with them except by name.  The HK firm pays out monthly to the US firm, but is now owned and operated by a mainland Chinese company.  My first year contract was not honored by the HK office and I left.

If you have specific questions about firms, message me and I will let you know which ones to stay away from.  Hope this helps.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

I am by no means an expert, but I have found minimizing layers by copying symbols, etc reduces layer quantities, such as trees, vehicles and so on. 

There may be a possibility of creating smaller vignettes and insert pieces (like a puzzle) of the overall instead of rendering and texturing each minute detail.  Insert the images to create a larger masterpiece.  This too can reduce overall mb.

Good luck.

[Walter Bone, RLA]

many thanks, line work is by hand, then rendered in PhotoShop/InDesign

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