Landscape Designer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Landscape Designer. A Landscape Designer conceptualises sustainable landscape design solutions by combining creative artistic thinking and critical problem-solving skills to establish responsive landscapes. They develop these landscape concepts into final designs with sufficient levels of detail to enable construction on these residential sites. Typical graduate attributes include innovation, problem-solving and artistic flair. A qualified learner will be able to: • Gather and analyse relevant information to inform design concepts to maximise the landscape development of residential sites. • Visualise and draught a feasible landscape concept by combining creative, artistic, innovative, and problem-solving skills for client approval. • Produce a finalised landscape design solution through detailed development of the approved concept.

Landscape design is a critical step in bringing about healthy and sustainable outdoor spaces and places for human use and enjoyment. Landscapes cannot be constructed and maintained without a thoroughly thought-out design solution and presentation. Landscape design is the art of arranging elements (landforms, vegetation, water, paving and structures) in such a manner as to make good outdoor spaces. The need for and benefit to society and the landscaping sector and the importance of good landscape design is understood when one takes cognisance of the following: the world's population is increasing and the need for green, well-designed open spaces at gardens, landscapes, park, and city level is ever increasing; The amount of time that people work, sleep, and rest and participate in social activities affects the type of outdoor spaces that are required for ultimate human well-being and enjoyment. Furthermore, the COVID pandemic resulted in the need for people to engage and interact with the immediate outdoor environment has highlighted the need for well-designed gardens and landscapes where people reside. Legislative changes can and have affected the nature and scope of landscaping. Planning laws in some places require certain landscape interventions to be carried out and approved as part of property developments, and this begins with the approval of the landscape design plans and the knowledge and awareness of health and safety factors increase, the impacts thereof are considered in developing appropriate landscape design solutions that carry through to construction, maintenance, and use of the outdoor space. As plants' physical and psychological importance is understood and acknowledged, the nature and degree of attention given to planting design, an integral part of any landscape design solution, will become more important. Economically, appealing landscaping can increase property and resale values, lower energy costs, improve business and sales and create positive perceptions for areas. This qualification aims to equip learners with the competence and knowledge to design a landscape effectively and efficiently, thereby producing sufficient information in the form of plans and bills of quantities for the landscape design to be constructed. In addition, learners will be able to provide customers with a landscape design that meets the needs and requirements of the client functionally and appealingly. Typical learners include school leavers, graduates from institutions of learning, and persons employed in the landscape industries with experience as supervisors or junior managers undertaking landscape construction and/or maintenance and with a keen interest in wanting to design outdoor spaces. Sectors within the landscaping industry offering possible employment opportunities typically include but are not limited to the following: • Landscape industry i.e., construction and maintenance where designs are required for residential (within the scope limitations of the qualification) properties. • Municipalities where basic design skills are required in urban green space, residential areas, and community gardens. • Self-employed in a niche market. Learners can be employed as Landscape Designers, Community Garden Designers Facilitators and Garden Designers, or can start their own businesses as entrepreneurs. Currently, no professional registration is necessary to operate as a Landscape Designer. Some similar qualifications are registered on the NQF. However, these are at a higher level, are more complex, and require professional registration. There are none at the Higher Occupational Certificate: Landscape Designer level. This qualification forms an integral step in the career and learning path for persons employed or wishing to build a career in the landscaping industry. It is one of several qualifications and may build on the Landscape Worker, Landscape Assistant, Horticulture Team Leader, Landscaping Supervisor, and Garden Designer. This qualification may prepare learners for further studies in landscape architecture and technology. The Higher Occupational Certificate: Landscape Designer has a part qualification: Occupational Certificate: Garden Designer. This will enable learners to exit at an appropriate level with sufficient skills to exit learning and earn an income as a Garden Designer, as well as provide a seamless entry into the Higher Occupational Certificate: Landscape Designer. It, therefore, also reduces the learning timeframe before a learner can become employable. Furthermore, the parameters between the two and appropriate exit skills for the full and part qualifications the following applies: • Landscape design parameters refer to residential landscapes which may pose some design challenges (referring to site conditions, climatic challenges and existing infrastructure), which could include accommodation of multiple functions and site features requiring special consideration. • Garden design parameters refer to home gardens of limited challenges, featuring typical household use and limited to single use and food gardens, excluding earthworks or earth shaping.

• Gather information from a range of sources, including oral, written, or symbolic texts, regarding client brief, site potential, and parameters to inform the landscape design concept.
• Evaluate information regarding informing the landscape design concept to realise the site potential and possible landscape design solutions and consider the client's needs.
• Visualise and draught a feasible landscape design concept using creative thinking and problem-solving, site and fundamental design knowledge.
• Apply design methods, procedures, and techniques to produce a finalised, quantified landscape design solution in line with the approved concept and budget.