NDA PGD Diploma Course Guide

Professional Garden Design

DIPLOMA COURSE GUIDE

National Design Academy Head Office and Studios - Nottingham, UK

Dear Design Enthusiast,

Welcome to the National Design Academy

National Design Academy (NDA) has been established for over 30 years, and is the UK’s leading provider of fully accredited Interior Design courses. We offer flexible, part-time courses that fit around your work and personal commitments; from Diploma courses to Master’s Degrees. Study online through the NDA’s own Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and gain qualifications that are recognised throughout this vibrant and lucrative industry. We offer Diplomas in Interior Design, Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings and Garden Design. All NDA Diplomas are accredited by AIM Awards.

Starting with an NDA Diploma course will give you the skills required to design your own projects or to start your own small business to help family and friends with theirs. For a career in interior design you can then progress onto a Degree course with the same flexible method of study. There are no examinations for our courses; all progress is carried out through assignments. If you need help, our experienced tutor team are happy to provide support through the NDA helpline, email or personal tutorial. You can also exchange ideas and share your work with fellow students on our lively community forum. Most importantly, NDA courses are industry-led, we provide our students with the best preparation for a career in design, and the commercial and entrepreneurial skills to start their own business.

The NDA has trained thousands of successful interior designers, many of whom are running their own business or working for prestigious design practices around the world. At NDA we are passionate about design and helping our students to achieve their goals.

Pauline Riley Academy Director

Reasons for studying with NDA

Accredited:

NDA believes that all your hard work studying should be rewarded by a recognised awarding body. NDA Diplomas are accredited by AIM Awards, a UK National Awarding Body registered with OFQUAL.

Affordable:

NDA is a ‘Not for Profit’ Foundation, meaning profits are used to maintain low fees and scholarships for the benefit of our students.

Supported:

As well as a dedicated student support team you will be assigned your own personal tutor who you can contact via telephone, email or Skype from Monday to Friday 9am-5pm as often as you wish.

Flexible:

Learning and life sometimes clash and because we don’t always know what’s ahead of us, flexible learning with the NDA balances a structured programme with individual choice, allowing you to work at your own pace and still achieve your aspirational goals.

Trusted:

Established for over 30 years, NDA is the UK’s leading provider of recognised Interior Design courses.

Progression:

Once you have successfully completed an NDA Diploma you can progress onto an online degree with NDA, with a progression scholarship to reduce tuition fees.

NDA Diploma Courses

All NDA Diploma Courses can be studied either flexibly Online or In-Studio.

Online (Flexible):

Studying flexibly online by distance learning, makes the NDA Diploma courses accessible to everyone anywhere in the world. Choose your own start date and decide when and where you study, there are no set terms and semesters.

The Diploma is designed to let you study around your family, work or other commitments and to suit your lifestyle. Most students complete the course comfortably within 4 to 8 months but you can complete even sooner if you have more free time. Your assignments will be design projects, and assessed by your Personal Tutor who you can contact as often as you wish – you will not have to take an examination.

NDA has been delivering design qualifications for over 30 years so we know a thing or two about online and distance learning. We have designed our online courses to be flexible and very user-friendly.

In-Studio Fast-Track:

As an alternative to flexible online study our live ‘In-Studio’ Diploma courses allow you to join other design enthusiasts for a more hands-on and collaborative approach to learning. It is particularly useful if you are looking to fast-track your qualification, either for a new career or if you would like to study for a degree.

You study your first and last week in-studio, with approximately five weeks in between to complete about 30 hours of design projects at home, with full online access to your course and help from your Tutor. You can be qualified in just 12 weeks!

Receive hands-on advice directly from our highly experienced NDA Tutors, and enjoy working with the fantastic mix of students on the course, helping to create an exciting, friendly and dynamic class and the chance to share ideas with fellow up and coming designers.

ONLINE FAST-TRACK

NEW Online Fast-Track (via Zoom):

With twice weekly live Zoom classes, the Online Fast-Tracked Diploma combines the intensive pace of the ‘In-Studio FastTrack’ Diploma and the convenience of the ‘Online Flexible’ Diploma.

This 14-week course is ideal for those students wanting to study from home and speed up their learning in a live environment.

2.5hr live lectures are organised two days per week for a 8 week study period that covers each of the 8 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week.

Up to 4 ‘Independent Study’ weeks are included within the duration of your course to complete any unfinished assignments.

Course Content

Students have access to a detailed online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This provides links to other online resources and may contain videos, images, quizzes and other detailed information.

Student Community

The online “community” allows students to interact with other students, ask questions, share work and gain support from over 2000 online students and graduates.

Here to Help

All students have an allocated tutor to guide them through their qualification and they can contact their tutor by telephone, email or Skype.

We also have a dedicated student support and administration team to help deal with any other queries such as payments, student loans advice and anything else you may need a helping hand with.

“The panel commended the student support and engagement provided by tutors and noted that tutors were able to respond quickly to questions or requests for support via telephone or email.”

Staffordshire University Quinquennial Review

Design taught online?

The Virtual Learning Studio (VLS)

The VLS is our exclusive, online learning resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This is where you will find all of your course content consisting of interactive reading, videos, images, quizzes and lectures. Here you will also find a wealth of additional content such as how-to guides, software support guides and tutorials and also links to a gallery of former student work were you can find whole new inspiration.

The nature of the online platform means you can work through content at your own pace and students can rewind and re-watch any video content until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!

“Everything that I needed was there and very clear... Good as always, plenty of information when needed”

Comment taken from former student.

OPEN DAY

Our Open Days are delivered online via Zoom, and they are the perfect opportunity to get a real feel for the Academy and the courses that are offered.

When you attend an NDA Open Day online, you can meet our Tutors, who will explain all aspects of our courses, from ’what’ and ‘how’ you will study, to student loans, funding and payment options. You will be able to see examples of student work for all courses, with a demonstration of how the course is delivered through our online platform, the Virtual Learning Studio. You will also find out about the different study options and how the in-studio and Zoom programmes are managed to fast-track your qualification.

Each Open Day aims to give you a real feel for design, as well as offering a chance for you to ask our expert Tutor Team any questions you may have.

Please Register your interest here.

Diploma in Professional Garden Design

About the course:

Our Diploma in Professional Garden Design is the ideal course for garden enthusiasts teaching you professional techniques to create amazing designs for your own garden, help friends and family with theirs or if you would like to set up your own Garden Design business. If you already have a gardening or Garden Design business but don’t have formal qualifications, then you can study this Diploma course flexibly to fit around your existing clients.

There are eight units to study including the history of garden design and the great garden designers of the past and the influence they have had on current designs. You will also learn about the role of a garden designer, how to present your designs and the individual components of a design. Learn about plants and how to select the best plants for your design. Learn about hard landscaping, how to select furniture and features and the professional practice unit will show you how to start your own business. The final unit links all the stages of the design from the initial brief to concept ideas to the final drawings, which contractors can use to implement the design.

Everything you need to become a Professional Garden Designer!

Entry requirements:

Students are required to have a good standard of written English and be able to read and understand English

There are no academic requirements, just a keen interest in garden design!

How log does the course last?

Online Flexible: 8 -10 months

Online Fast-Track (via Zoom): 14 Weeks

Qualifications awarded:

Externally accredited Certificate in Interior Design Skills through AIM Awards and NDA’s own Certificate confirming achievement of course.

Please note: Diplomas DO NOT state that the student has studied online

What will I study?

Unit 1: Garden Design and the Role of the Designer

This unit introduces you to the purpose of garden design and the development of key garden design trends. In addition, it teaches you about the role and responsibilities of the garden designer and the main principles garden designers work with in the present day. This unit also includes:-

• The history and development of garden design and key styles

• The effect garden design history has on contemporary gardens

• Skills required to fulfil the role of garden designer

• Stages of the garden design process

• The importance of the design brief

• Working with clients and other professionals

Unit 2: Garden Design Principles

Within this unit, you will learn about the components that make up a garden, exploring core elements that are common within a successful design scheme. You will learn how these ingredients work together to influence the appearance, usability and function of a garden space. This unit also includes:

• Applying techniques to create a sense of movement through the space or to highlight a focal point

• Using scale and proportion that relates to the property and the practical use of space

• The use of colour, texture and form to create a variety of moods in an exterior space

• Creating a variety of effects using garden components: boundaries, structures, planting, soft & hard landscape

• Creating balance, unity and cohesion within a scheme

• Light and shade as part of the garden design

Unit 3: Exploring Site Surveys and Drawing Plans

Within this unit, you will learn how to measure a garden space and draw it to scale. You will also learn how gather important information about the site and how this information will influence your garden design decisions. You will develop drawing skills and produce your own site survey plan. This unit also includes:

• Site surveying – how & what to measure or record on site

• Surveying tools

• Understanding scale

• Developing site survey plans to scale, step by step

• Hand drawn or CAD – students may produce either

• Industry standard drawing conventions

Unit 4: Space Planning and Garden Design Development in a Professional Context

This unit will inspire your creativity by developing your garden design skills. You will develop spatial planning skills and explore innovative ideas related to the aesthetics and practicality of garden layout. You will learn how to produces sketches, technical plans and elevations, how to select your strongest designs in relation to client briefs, as well as how to present this information professionally to clients, trade or contractors. This unit also includes:

• Developmental space planning techniques

• Exploring layout composition

• Traffic flow and effective zoning of space

• Drawing plans to scale

• Drawing elevations to show vertical dimensions and to propose elements such as boundaries, steps, raised beds, furniture and planting forms

• Ensuring successful practical and creative designs for your clients

Unit 5: Hard Landscaping, Furniture, Lighting and Accessories

This unit focuses on products and materials for hard landscaping and water features, along with the items that provide the finishing touches to the garden space, such as furniture, lighting and accessories. You will explore products and materials for their practical, ethical, and aesthetic characteristics, making suitable choices for a garden scheme and presenting these to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:

• Products and materials for hard landscaping, water features, furniture, lighting and accessories in garden design

• Practical and aesthetic qualities and suitability for use in an outside space

• Selecting, sourcing and using products and materials

• Incorporating products and materials in your design

• Visually communicating your ideas, the professional way

Unit 6: Planting Design

This unit will help you to understand plant biology, the environmental requirements of plants and the importance of selecting appropriate planting as part of your design. It looks at how you source your plants and the practical and aesthetic considerations to be considered when developing a planting plan to a design brief. In addition, you will learn how to present planting plans and specifications to a professional standard. This unit also includes:

• Plant identification and plant features: flowers, fruits, leaves, stems

• Plant names and classification

• Basic plant biology and environmental requirements

• The role of plants in the garden

• Selection & design for site context, functionality and client requirements

• Selection & design for visual aesthetics

• Production of planting plans and specifications

Unit 7: Professional Practice in Garden Design

This unit explores the wide array of creative and technical roles and diverse possibilities for professional engagement and career progression in this dynamic and competitive industry. It will help to prepare you to work successfully in the professional environment, whether for an established practice or setting up a garden design business. With a focus on your personal and professional development, you will consider the steps you should take to achieve your own progression ambitions. This unit also includes:

• Being employed, self-employed and setting up a garden design service

• Portfolio development

• Working with others in a professional environment

• Effective marketing and promotion

• How to cost garden design projects and services

Unit 8: Professional Garden Design Project

For the final unit of the course, you bring together all your newly learned skills by producing conceptual designs and a design pack to create a wonderful garden design for a new client. When complete, your work will form an asset to your developing portfolio to show future clients. This unit also includes:

• Design development

• Reflecting on the challenges to enhance your final concept plan

• Preparing a rationale

• Professional presentation techniques

What Next?

HIGHER EDUCATION

Once you have successfully completed the NDA Diploma in Professional Garden Design, you will be offered a guaranteed place onto our degree, with a generous Progression Scholarship. Degrees are awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), and they are studied flexibly online.

CAREERS

The Diploma in Professional Garden Design is designed to help you start your own Garden Design business. Like the Diploma course itself, you can work flexibly for your clients around your family commitments and gradually expand your business.

Elizabeth Whitehead

The NDA is always proud to hear about our student’s activities while they are studying with us. We are lucky to have such talented students who have achieved a range of diverse roles, both in the UK and Internationally.

Today we hear from a Diploma in Professional Garden Design student, Elizabeth Whitehead.

Hi Elizabeth, please tell us what you were doing before you started

the Diploma in Professional Garden Design?

I have continued as architect and partner at Waparchitects. I’ve had an interest in horticulture and design for quite a few years and saw this course as an opportunity to integrate the two.

Why did you choose to study with the National Design Academy?

I wanted to study, but needed to find a course which would fit in with, and hopefully complement, my busy workload. After looking at different options, I decided the course at the NDA looked like the one for me as it covered a wide range of topics from gardening history and design through to professional practice.

In your opinion what were the most valuable skills you learnt whilst on the course?

I already had experience of creating presentations specifically for Clients, but the course has allowed me to hone those skills and to extend them into the area of garden design. I have also been able to try some new drafting techniques and develop specialist knowledge such as plant specification.

What have you gone on to do since you starting your course?

Our architectural practice is interested in the integration of architecture and its site, primarily for environmental and sustainability reasons. The skills I have been developing have allowed us to take this further into more detailed garden and landscape plans, where the design of building and garden complement and reinforce each other.

What are your plans for the rest of this year?

We’re trying to decide how to formally incorporate my new skills – either as a fully integrated part of our practice or a separate design business.

For those wanting to develop their garden design skills, would you recommend studying Garden Design with the NDA?

Definitely! I have really enjoyed the challenge of the course and the breath of subjects covered by the syllabus.

GALLERY STUDENT

GALLERY

WHERE TO FIND

Nottingham Headquarters

National Design Academy

Rufford Hall, Waterside Way,

Nottingham, NG2 4DP

United Kingdom

+44 (0) 1159 123 412

Email: admissions@nda.ac.uk

FIND US Dubai Office

National Design Academy

Office Block 2B, First Floor F29, Knowledge Park

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 333207

Phone: +971 44298788

Email: international@nda.ac.uk

ACCREDITED Partners & Associations

The National Design Academy is part of The NDA Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to widening access to Further & Higher Education through affordable, flexible, online delivery.