Designing the Landscape

Book excerpt: Every professional landscape designer develops his or her own design process, emphasizing some steps while minimizing or eliminating others. It’s important to learn every aspect of the process before getting on the job. Bertauski’s comprehensive and readable Designing the Landscape presents every facet of the design experience from client interviews and concepts through presenting and pricing a master plan, so students can learn what works and what doesn’t when they still have the time and opportunity to make valuable mistakes. The author’s focus on topics that foster understanding of the functionality and aesthetics of design equips students with skills they need to be effective designers. While residential design is emphasized, many concepts and steps can be applied to commercial projects.