Becoming A Landscape Designer: Finding a career that aligns with your passions
A love of the outdoors and shoulder surgery. Find out how Rosie discovered landscape architecture and why she decided to set up her own design studio in Dorset.
Image Credits: Sophie Bowdler
I remember clearly walking back from lessons one day at school with a friend. We were starting to think about what subjects to choose for A Levels and, like many 16-year-olds, I had no idea what I wanted to do. My friend didn’t either, but they made a comment that stuck with me, "I’m just going to pick the subjects I enjoy, then surely I’ll end up doing something I like.” That made a lot of sense to me, so I decided to do the same. To this day, I think it's the single best piece of advice I've taken and is something I continue to live by - follow what you enjoy and you won't go too far wrong!
Creative, practical, outdoorsy
At this point, I’d never heard of Landscape Architecture. It wasn’t until I put my A-level subjects (geography, biology, maths and textiles) into a UCAS course finder around a year later that it popped up. I remember reading the course description and feeling a spark light up in me. It was creative, practical, outdoorsy, and deeply connected to how people experience the world around them. It felt like everything I loved rolled into one and something I would really enjoy.
Discovering landscape architecture
The more I found out about landscape architecture, the more it felt like the perfect fit for me, and still does. It's a broad subject that brings together design, ecology, sociology, engineering and so much more. It’s about people and places, and it’s everywhere!
It’s also a rapidly evolving industry with increasing research, innovation and interest in how we can better protect, restore and create high-value environments. The more I learn about the potential power and impact of landscape design; socially, environmentally and economically, the more exciting (and occasionally overwhelming!) it becomes. Especially as we face increasing challenges at a local and global level. I've also developed a new appreciation for the role of landscapes through time, teaching us about the past and connecting us to the future.
After graduating with a masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Sheffield I had expected my next step would be getting a job at an established company. Working for myself hadn't even crossed my mind.
An unexpected turn to being self-employed
While I was at university, I took up rowing. Initially just for fun, but then going on to compete in the GB U23 and senior trials. Unfortunately, a few years in I found myself with a shoulder injury that needed surgery. The operation and recovery period coincided with my graduation so I wasn’t able to apply for a job straight away as planned. My degree had included a year in industry though so, with some experience behind me, I decided to reach out to a few companies to see if I could be of any help in a freelance capacity.
Over the next few years, I worked with a range of practices, from large multidisciplinary landscape architecture firms to individual garden designers. One of those companies was James Bird Landscapes, a leading landscape design and build company in Sheffield, who I still collaborate with regularly. Helping to provide in-house design work for their domestic projects I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed applying the broader principles of landscape architecture to more personal garden projects.
These projects offered more room for creativity and gave me the chance to be more involved across all aspects of the process, from design and detailing to planting and project management, working closely with the clients and contractors to bring the vision to life.
Going it alone
Gradually, I began accepting my own projects and a few years on, much longer than I had ever intended or expected to be working for myself, it was clear that this was no longer a temporary situation and that I had quite unintentionally, but very fortunately, managed to establish my own landscape and garden design business.
The thing I value most about working for myself is the opportunity it has given me to shape my work and career around my personal values, passions and interests. So, after years of moving around the UK to be near various rowing clubs, and with that no longer being something I had to consider, I was keen to find somewhere to settle and call home. After a lot of thought and map searching, I landed on Bournemouth, Dorset.
Making the move to Dorset.
While living in Berkshire, I'd find myself heading south on any free weekend to spend time in the New Forest and at the coast - a playground for outdoor lovers with endless trails and coastline for running, cycling and kite surfing. It offered everything I wanted to live the lifestyle I dreamt of and once the light bulb moment hit, it was an obvious choice.
Two years on, I couldn't be happier with my decision and I am so pleased to now call Dorset home. Being surrounded by such rich and varied landscapes is a constant source of inspiration for me, and I'm so looking forward to the future here, both on a personal and professional level.
