Glad to hear! Thanks for watching!

Great suggestion! Maybe I should make a short series covering fundamental principles/beliefs/practices of a Landscape Architect!

Thank you! That means alot!

That’s precisely why I created one!

I agree! but they likely will not

Congrats on the accomplishment! and I think it's a designers curse, it's so competitive and we are all somewhat perfectionists so it happens.

It sure is! But even with how hard it can be at times I still love my choice to pursue landscape architecture and I think more people should continue to study this field!

Love this! This is a really great point and is one of the fundamental reasons why I enjoy being a landscape architect! There is so much untapped potential in this field that will hopefully become more apparent to the masses over the following years!

I agree! More than happy with my choice and do agree about all your points above! But that said you MUST be interested and you MUST have a passion for it as it is not your typical 9-5 job. But that's the fun of design!

@@DesignItGreen.........well honestly I started out in Aerospace Engineering for one year, but realized that it wasn't where I wanted to be, so as chance or fate would have it, I wandered across two LA professors during a semester sign up session and after a 20 minute conversation, I switched. Best decision I've ever made. As you said, you have to be committed to this work and enjoy designing for people, it has numerous rewards.

Glad you have also realized the importance of landscape architecture and the broader impacts and connections it has on our environment and our society! I think a lot of people see LA the same as you once they study it. I think a specific book that you would find interesting would be Design With Nature by Ian McHarg. Otherwise continue to design, study and research projects that you are drawn too, and think about why you are drawn to them, and how they serve either the environment, people, or both!

This is a really hard question for me to answer as it so widely depends on where you live and the type of work within landscape architecture you are in. Not only that but there is little to no information regarding what you asked to help give you an idea either when applying for a job or just inquiring about the field. This was something I struggled with coming out of school as I really had no idea what to ask or what to expect. So I would say for entry level it could be anywhere from 35-50k. And as for down the road I am really not sure!

Thank you for those kind words! I had absolutely zero graphic design skills! And is actually something I hated growing up, I always sucked at drawing, so you will definitely learn as you go and will be taught numerous techniques as you develop. Some great beginner books to get start are landscape graphics by Grant W Reid, and the sketch like an architect series from David Drasil!

Awesome! Thank you! Will definitely look into it

@@kristofsenderak959 where are you from

Absolutely agree with all of your points! And is pretty consistent with what I talked about in the video... I personally love Land Arch but I know it is a vastly different field from 95% of the others out there so thought I'd make a pros video and a cons video!

I think you would probably really like it! And if not you will figure it out pretty quickly that its not for you in your first year at school in my opinion

Hi! I think honesty nothing really prepares you for it until your involved in it. But I can say to practice your time management skills and try to find your own process and style. It will help your out so much but just understanding yourself and your limitations better!

It's definitely not for everyone, but I do love this profession!

Hi! I think you should study first what you want to do in life, don’t worry about job opportunities or what not 4-5 years down the road a lot can change and will change especially in Land Arch! Its also important to know that having a background in Architecture may or may not help you in terms of job prospect when finding a Land Arch job as they are very different. And the difference between a masters in LA as opposed to a Bachelors in LA are negligible, most firms just require one or the other. So long story short, if you know you want to be in LA then study that first! There are lots of job opportunities right now and you will be happier doing something your more passionate in as opposed to something your not! Goodluck!!

Hi, Carter! I am already a freshman right now studying Bachelor of Landscape Architecture here in Philippines. I just wanted to update you since you were the cause as to why I was able to have a clear grasp in choosing my degree program. I am enjoying it but I did not expect it to be this hard especially that I find design classes the hardest. What are your tips for us freshman students?@@DesignItGreen

Hi! I will need to certainly look into ways you can get experience or tangible knowledge of the field without going back to school. You can certainly read some educational books and learn from others too!

How do you differ from interior design?

The correct answer is both! As a landscape architect we are always striving to achieve an aesthetic goal that is of course practical to usage, space, and the environment! That said, each project will demand more of one or the other. A project may have a heavier focus on practicality and sustainability (Brownfield site, ecological restoration projects, etc.) whereas there may be others that is more purely aesthetic and a "pretty picture". (parks, multi use development, etc.) Getting a degree in Landscape Architecture would give you the best chance of reaching the goal and having flexibility in career opportunities, many firms will specialize in what you are more specifically interested in!

@@DesignItGreen Thank you for the response!!

No problem! glad to help!

You should check out permaculture design when you get the chance. I have one permaculture design certification right now and I am starting a second this fall before pursuing a degree in landscape architecture next fall. I think the two schools go hand in hand. LA is more focused on the practical hard skills of making a design while permaculture, being a relatively younger field of study, is less focused on the hard skills and more focused on the functionality of a space in terms of ecological and human yields. Permaculture is literally about creating self sustaining, regenerative landscapes so it sounds like what you're interested in. Oregon State has a phenomenal online permaculture design certification.

@@joeladams8506 Thank you for the reply! I actually have taken a short permaculture course before, and that was one of the experiences that drove me to want a more ecologically-focused landscape degree. It's been a while since I posted my original comment, so since then I've actually found a grad school that I feel is a sweet-spot between permaculture and traditional LA. The degree is in "ecological landscape design" and I start in 3 weeks, very excited!

Certainly! you are asked about your design process all the time and is often a key way in explaining your ideas

Hi Nick, I think it's very rare to pursue architecture after landscape architecture without going back for a degree. That said, I've heard that you can get a degree in a shorter amount of time and cut out on some classes due to there similarities. I would maybe try to make the switch first and see if you can get your foot in the door first with someone who is willing to teach you as you go, and if not, go back to school for architecture. You could also get a masters degree in architecture instead of going back for a BA as well!

@@DesignItGreenhello, can we persue a master in architecture, after the completion of BLA ?if so can you please mention the universities which offer M.Arch after LA

Hi! glad you enjoyed, I think the work life balance is average, it all really depends on the flows of projects and when the deadlines are, but in my experience, there is no "homework" during regular work days, but around deadlines you definitely work more than the minimum!

Nice! Don’t worry about math you don’t have to do much in architecture, just memorize a few formulas and you’ll bee all set!

I think they are honestly very comparable, either one is a great idea! Working during your studies is definetly possible, just is a real juggling act of managing the intense school work and having a life still!

Thank you so much! Do you have any recommendations on what to include in a portfolio for applications, coming from someone who has not taken prior design classes?@@DesignItGreen

Hi Charles! Thanks for sharing! You make some very true points that is slowly becoming more and more relevant as I am gaining experience in the real world. I agree though, it's a very hard profession that is overlooked and underpaid! We should make what software engineers and other big tech companies are getting... we do just as much if not more good for the future of the world.

thanks, very helpful comment! as someone who has been dabbling in landarch classes as an undergrad in a different major i decided against starting studios as a senior and am taking more time to consider pursuing this degree as a grad student. its too bad there is such a disparity in the amount of work and starting pay, its make it hard to decide to commit another 4 or more years of my 20s to going back to school.

I feel that! I think it will be worth it in the end and especially once you get your first job you will be all set imo

I can assure you the income can in fact be very good. As a landscape architect myself 29 yrs.

@@bige2012 I do agree! this video is really just to say that if you are here for money or the wrong reasons then don't choose this field. I also think we should be paid more for what we do as it is an incredibly demanding field and we need to know so much about software, communication skills, zoning etc.

Thank you! and I am not sure how getting a job in BC is! but I would say if you have work experience and a degree in landscape architecture you should be fine!

@@DesignItGreen Thank you very much for reply，best wishes！both your career and health

I agree with the last point, but I don't think you need to be proficient at drawing and art before starting. I never took a single art class in HS and was terrible at drawing and learned as I went, you really just need to be willing to learn and work on your skills. It's more important nowadays to be computer proficient as everything is on programs now.

@@DesignItGreen you don't need to, but it's a big time saver if you know about perspective, composition and quick sketching before getting into it. At least, I wish I had done some art course beforehand. The time-crunch in the first semesters would definitely have lessened considerably.

100% agree lol, I felt the same way in school, but felt good when I caught up to all the art kids down the road

I went to University Of Massachusetts

It certainly is! but it is very rewarding at the same time

These are great points! I agree that it's very common to find bottom feeder firms (firms which pay there entry level trash so they can pay a few people a lot). And they tend to often be the big ones because they can get away with it due to there stature and clout for working there. It's very similar to the big 4 finance companies as well. Just have to find the firm you like working for and which gives you the best work life balance.. hopefully in 10 years america will wake up from the 9-5 life and move onto other alternatives like many other countries around the world!

Go for it! if you are interested in the program and see yourself being happy in that field it doesn't hurt to try!

Depends where you live! But you want to look for accredited programs, which you can find on the ASLA website. Then I would say look into each schools curriculum and see which program you are most interested in

Sure, my school and a few other’s by me are all 4 year programs! (All accredited schools)

@@DesignItGreen interesting. I graduated K-State, and it was 5 yr. Actually LA was 3 yrs program, because the first 2 yrs where environmental design, the one applied to LA, Architecture or Interiors. So maybe that's the difference? K-State, as are other LA programs, are a masters (w/ out actually having a prior undergraduate degree)

My degree is a bachelor’s degree so that could also be why. I think it’s really interesting how every program is so different from school to school, and is probably why we are such a diverse group!

Hahaha your not wrong!

I'm tired of people saying you need to have passion, in the design field. The reality is that you have to be comfortable being creative under pressure.

Very true! But I would say that in design you give up much more than some weekends, design almost becomes a 24/7 process and will always be on your mind. and in today's day and age some people are not into that which is why I try and stress this in the video so people understand that degree of difficulty in a program like this. While being passionate and going beyond the minimum for your job is important, so is valuing your own life, and the line of which those values are will continue to evolve from generation to generation.

For me I learned plants through flash cards and memorizing leaf structure, overall plant shape, flowers, etc. It's really something you will learn and get better at overtime!

It's really insane! Looking back I always wonder how I managed to do all of that!

Don't feel discouraged! I made this video to share some of my thoughts on some of the pitfalls of the field, but there are certainly many pros and great things about land arch! I suggest watching my other video on why you should study landscape architecture! Hopefully that will balance out your thoughts!

I agree, it's a growing problem in almost all fields unfortunately, but I do agree that based on how intense our field is and the number of programs and technology required for this field the pay is astoundingly low... especially compared to a similar field like software engineering or development/coding where knowledge of technology is very comparable is sad

Well I graduated my college program with summa cum laude so I would say I definitely didn’t go

Well, if you watched the whole video maybe your questions would be answered.. but since you are impatient the salary is okay at best, your entry level salary will widely depend on where you live in the world and what type of firm you work for, but certainly is a manageable and livable salary. eventually with experience and time you will make a living but nothing compared to tech or finance industries. Additionally going to school is expensive and certainly a risk, but I haven't found it difficult to get a job and pretty much everyone in my class got a job out of school. So you should be able to pay your loans, but like 90% of the other students, it will be a long process. Aside from that, "objectively", there is much more to a job than money and many people care about the quality of there day to day and what they will be doing and experiencing on the job more than the end of year dollar sign. And since you haven't gone through the rigorous program of landscape architecture you do not know the relevance of how similar school is to your day to day job when you graduate so I briefly talked about examples in school that apply to your career as a designer. So, my words to you are if you only care about money, study something else.