QUALIFICATION Open Learning Diploma in Garden Design ASSIGNMENT 27 pieces of project work including two final projects DURATION Average time taken to complete the course is 18-24 months, allowing 12-15 hours a week - although there is no time limit on the course

A change in career
The course has been designed specifically for students who want to gain a recognised vocational qualification in order to follow a career in the garden design industry.

The course content has recently been revised to ensure that this course is relevant and up-to-date to meet the exacting needs of the industry work place.

Bite-sized chunks!
The course has been broken down into manageable sized sections, so that in gradual stages students will learn to master this fascinating subject. The format of the course also gives students the ability to complete sections in a shorter period of time, meaning that it is easier to fit the course around the other hectic commitments of everyday life.

Based on five fully illustrated modules, all written in a very user-friendly style, the KLC Open Learning Diploma Course covers every aspect of garden design. The course also comes complete with a ring binder filled with the glossary, study notes and project work.

Practical & interactive
The course has self-assessed test papers and exercises scattered through the text bringing the subject alive. This enables students to quickly build up their course notes, absorb lessons more easily and gain confidence and enjoyment from their studies.

Practical case studies are provided throughout many of the tutorials, so that students can see how the lessons are applied to real-life situations.

Students are also encouraged to undertake as much background research as possible – including internet research, visits to flower and horticultural shows, museums, exhibitions, gardens and nurseries and broad reading around the various subjects.

Build an impressive portfolio
Presentation is one of the most important aspects of this course, and you will learn how to communicate your ideas on paper with professional-looking planting plans, site survey plans, elevations and sections to illustrate your ideas. By the time you have completed the course, you will not only have been awarded a respected qualification but will also have built up a strong portfolio, which is so important in this visual profession to show to prospective employers and clients.

Regional climate and soil conditions will be taken into consideration and students are encouraged to research the plants indigenous to their part of the globe.

Business management
There is particular emphasis on business practice so that on completion of the course, students will have the know-how to manage their own business and KLC will give advice on CVs, portfolio presentation and career direction.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Order the course today and you will receive:

• Five modules (inc p&p)
• A study guide
• Project and assignment work
• All distance learning tuition
• Insurance of manuals against loss or theft in transit

PROJECT WORK
Project Work is submitted at the end of each Module and relates to the Tutorials within that Module. The work includes both residential and commercial garden designs - for example the preparation of a briefing questionnaire; a site survey and analysis; preparation and drawing of functional layout plans; making mood/concept boards; sourcing and specifying hard landscaping materials and garden buildings; drawing and colour-rendering plans, elevations, perspectives and axonometrics; preparing planting schedules and drawing up planting plans; creating a colour wheel; designing gardens for different situations/purposes; producing construction drawings and specifications for the workforce; planning and specifying garden lighting; installing water features. At the end of the course there are two final projects – one residential (based on a real garden) and one commercial (a library courtyard) to be completed.

Students are required to work throughout the course on a History of Garden Design Notebook and Plant Portfolios, which are submitted at the end of the course with Module V work, and to keep a sketchbook, which is submitted twice.

DIPLOMA COURSE SYLLABUS

MODULE 1

• Tutorial 1 - Client Relationship
• Tutorial 2 - The Design Brief
• Tutorial 3 - Plant Nomenclature
• Tutorial 4 - Principles of Garden Design
• Tutorial 5 - The Site Survey
• Tutorial 6 - History of Garden Design 1: Introduction and Ancient Gardens
• Tutorial 7 - The Site Analysis
• Tutorial 8 - Drawing up the Survey and Site Analysis Plan
• Tutorial 9 - Concept Boards
• Tutorial 10 - The Functional Layout Plan
• Tutorial 11 - Planting Principles, Themes and Styles 1
  

MODULE II

• Tutorial 12 - Graphics and Lettering
• Tutorial 13 - Planting Principles, Themes and Styles 2
• Tutorial 14 - History of Garden Design 2: Religious and Medieval Gardens
• Tutorial 15 - Problem Sites
• Tutorial 16 - Preparation for Drawing
• Tutorial 17 - Working in Plan
• Tutorial 18 - Form, Texture and Colour
• Tutorial 19 - The Planting Plan and Schedules
• Tutorial 20 - History of Garden Design 3: The Far East and Feng Shui
• Tutorial 21 - Patterns, Shapes and Grids
  

MODULE III

• Tutorial 22 - Sections and Elevations
• Tutorial 23 - Structural Plants: Trees, Shrubs and Climbers
• Tutorial 24 - Hard and Soft Landscaping 1: Basics and Drainage
• Tutorial 25 - Garden Buildings 1
• Tutorial 26 - Professional Practice 1: Starting Up
• Tutorial 27 - Hard and Soft Landscaping 2: Stone, Concrete and Brick
• Tutorial 28 - History of Garden Design 4: Renaissance Gardens
• Tutorial 29 - Colouring and Rendering
• Tutorial 30 - Hard and Soft Landscaping 3: Loose Surfaces, Timber, Edgings and Lawns
• Tutorial 31 - Axonometric and Isometric Drawings
• Tutorial 32 - History of Garden Design 5: Formal Gardens
  

MODULE IV

• Tutorial 33 - Garden Maintenance
• Tutorial 34 - Garden Buildings: Conservatories
• Tutorial 35 - Professional Practice 2: Administration
• Tutorial 36 - Garden Accessories
• Tutorial 37 - Planting 2: Annuals, Biennials and Perennials
• Tutorial 38 - Garden Structures
• Tutorial 39 - Perspective Drawings
• Tutorial 40 - History of Garden Design 6: The Landscape Tradition
• Tutorial 41 - Freehand Drawing
  

MODULE V

• Tutorial 42 - Professional Practice 3: Running a Garden Design Project
• Tutorial 43 - Garden Furniture
• Tutorial 44 - Water Features
• Tutorial 45 - Presentation Techniques
• Tutorial 46 - Sculpture
• Tutorial 47 - Lighting and Irrigation
• Tutorial 48 - History of Garden Design 7: The Victorian Garden
• Tutorial 49 - Professional Practice 4: Contracts and Specifications
• Tutorial 50 - Construction Drawings
• Tutorial 51 - History of Garden Design 8: The 20th Century Garden
• Tutorial 52 - Professional Practice 5: How to Charge

KLC has developed a unique support system for our open learning students to ensure students achieve their goals:-