[BJR]

Thanks Agla.

20 years ago I did 3 1/2 years of the Diploma in Horticulture. I was unable to finish as I had 6 staff to take care of and a flurishing business. I could not spend the time needed to complete thae course. Since then I have done all facets of landscaping especially structural. I also owned a retail nursery for 4 1/2 years. My landscaping and plant knowledge is very good. My design knowledge is lacking. I have great ideas but find it hard to put onto paper as a professional looking plan.

I have a growing Landscape business, a family with 3 kids under 6 and not much time. A TAFE or Uni course would be ideal, but with limited time, not practical. A corespondence course where I can be in charge of the hours is a better option.

I believe that a good design is not how good it looks, but how functional it is and if it suits the clients lifestyle and budget.

I also believe that the difference between a good designer and a mediocre designer is their willingness to be constantly researching new ideas, materials and attend seminars and trade shows. As you know landscape design is a living thing, constantly growing and changing. This also goes for Landscape contractors.

So what I am really looking for is a good course to teach me the fundamentals and how to draw. The rest will come from me interacting with other people in the industry.

What are your views concerning freehand designs and computer generated designs. Is a CAD system better.