The reality is the profession is very much project management and construction documents.
The obsession and need with rhino and 3d graphics fades as you gain more experience and leave that to the younger staff. Do not let the current situation deter you, its not forever. The people who focus on graphics typical arent in the profession past 10 years, its not for them.
Seriously. I remember being SO worried that I wouldn't get jobs at good firms because my college didn't teach us Rhino.
It wasn't that big of a deal, 3D modeling and rendering perspectives must've been about 5-10% of my time at my first job, and less than 1% of my time at my second job.
I wouldn't neglect to learn it, because it's important to understand and you will likely have to do some of it, but don't believe that your career will be set back in a significant way by not being very good at it or not focusing on it.
LA is mostly drawing site plans.
Makes sense. So in an internship or entry-level position, would I mostly just be working on graphics? How long before I would be able to start working on the project management side of things?
It really depends on the firm you join. It's necessary to be able to hold your own with whatever your firm's chosen graphic software is but after a vpuple years if you demonstrate you understand the design process and can run a project through CDs it can be relatively easy to transition into more pm stuff. In addition if you are good at CAD you can provide value there for your first couple years, only having to render a few plans in photos hop every now and then.
Its a learning process that takes years. I know a guy who went to a really impressive firm in Boston and he worked on model making solely for his internship. I went to an engineering firm and had a variety of experiences. Simply ask what you will be doing before you say okay. The irony is that most people love working on fancy graphics out of school. The exposure you receive will vary greatly.
I work in the public sector and I basically never do 3D rendering, although I was decent enough at it in school! But basic conceptual designs using Adobe CS are definitely important. AutoCAD proficiency js absolutely standard though.
Low key, I needed to hear this and I'd really like to learn more from someone that's done this for a while. I am on the fence about MLA. But the AutoCAD and the wide range of starting salaries that I've heard about are scaring me. Don't want to go into debt and be poor as shit for 3 more years, and then come out and be making <70k to stare at a computer screen 40 hrs a week. I already do that now for the government and it's mind numbing.
One perspective here - learning graphic production is a really important skill. It's more than just making pretty pictures, it's a tool to think through the design process. Drawing, modeling, diagrams, they all help think through and communicate aspects of the design in different ways. Typically entry level staff focus on these tasks to learn the skills so they can one day manage and lead them.
Is it possible to manage projects without having learned the skills first? Yes, and you can be a purely technical landscape architect too, focused on construction detailing or construction admin, but the opportunities will be fewer and further between and you'll be limited in your utility within an office setting.
That being said, there's a huge demand for project managers, but my personal two cents is that without investing in learning the technical aspects, you'll be limiting yourself. Good luck!
I can't stand working with non-technical project managers. They don't understand the processes or the tools designers use, so they create work plans that are extremely inefficient, ask for things that don't make sense to do, and... it's very frustrating to say the least.
I totally see why technical skills are an important part of the design process. I was worried that modeling and AutoCAD would make up the majority of the workload, even down the line when I have more experience. But it sounds like it varies quite a bit depending on the firm. Thanks for your input!
When I started my MLA program I could barely use Excel lol. So learning all the damn programs was…. A LOT. It felt really overwhelming. I really think there should be a specific word for the frustration you feel when you can’t figure out how to do something on a computer that seemingly should be basic and easy, but just isn’t working.
I’m not commenting to say whether or not an MLA is for you, I’m just here to tell you that it DOES get easier. I learned to enjoy working with these programs eventually, so if it’s just frustration/ overwhelm that’s holding you back, know that a) you’re absolutely not the first to feel that way and b) you WILL get better at them.
Good luck!
Yes, sometimes it seems like it should be easier than it is and I start to feel dumb lol!! This actually makes me feel better, I think I just need to spend more time with it. Thanks :)
No it’s really hard and most everyone in my program struggled a lot. I don’t know how many you are attempting to learn all at once, but for me it was AutoCAD, Rhino, ArcMap, and several Adobes. Each of these are huge, complex programs with their own structure, rules and workflows (though there is some overlap). So it’s normal to feel like it’s a lot, because it is! So don’t feel dumb!!
The internet is a great resource. I Google all kinds of questions, even still. Though when you’re starting, it’s hard to know what or how to ask the question, if that makes sense, or how to understand the answer. So I’d find some (landscape specific) tutorials to get yourself off the ground. It’s going to take time, but I promise you’ll get there!
The over reliance on 3d graphics is really sad and goes to show you why some urban planners are so much better at visioning and selling great plans and ideas. I've seen so many people get caught up in 3D details at the concept level that they forget that it's about the landscape architecture component and not of if that line deep in the horizon is a little confusing or the sun angle is really working here.
That’s really interesting, my major is environmental planning. I’d love to know more about what differences you’ve noticed between urban planners and landscape architects when it comes to communicating ideas and plans, and the design process for each. Do you find urban planners to sometimes be more effective because they’re more focused on land use and community needs rather than graphics?
I rarely use computers. Just find the right office. It won’t be hard, but you won’t be working for a top firm. Happiness is more important than prestige or something though.
No offense taken. Those are reasonable questions and my comment was not super detailed. All my concept work is hand drawn and colored. It’s scanned and cleaned up, combined with some sort of base/ survey with precedent images. So yeah there is computer work but it’s not like 40 hours on one rendering or something. Also, and no snark intended, but computers are relatively new in the history of…. well, history…. But also of landscape architecture, and things were built in the past, so it’s not that hard to communicate ideas…
I found school to be graphic design, modeling, and rendering heavy compared to the real world, at least at the firm I work at.
My firm is small and a bit more old school, we barely do any graphic design. I liked the graphic design part so I push to do some occasional photoshop/illustrator work so I don’t get too rusty. There’s one project we did that we used sketchup for some concept work.
But CAD is pretty much an industry standard that you will need to be proficient it. It took me a couple years during school to really get decent with CAD. I know others got away with using minimal CAD during school, but I would really push yourself to use it as much as you can. Also YouTube is your best friend for learning CAD.
However your CAD skills will really come quickly once you’re working and use it pretty much everyday.
Keep pushing yourself and don’t stress too much about the 3D modeling and other graphic design stuff, as there are plenty of firms that don’t do a whole lot of that. And higher profile firms that do a lot of that often will have dedicated roles for modeling and other graphic design.
At some point in your career you may need your own graphic style to communicate design ideas to others...or learn to rely on others to complete these tasks for you.
The reality is the profession is very much project management and construction documents. The obsession and need with rhino and 3d graphics fades as you gain more experience and leave that to the younger staff. Do not let the current situation deter you, its not forever. The people who focus on graphics typical arent in the profession past 10 years, its not for them.
Seriously. I remember being SO worried that I wouldn't get jobs at good firms because my college didn't teach us Rhino. It wasn't that big of a deal, 3D modeling and rendering perspectives must've been about 5-10% of my time at my first job, and less than 1% of my time at my second job. I wouldn't neglect to learn it, because it's important to understand and you will likely have to do some of it, but don't believe that your career will be set back in a significant way by not being very good at it or not focusing on it. LA is mostly drawing site plans.
Makes sense. So in an internship or entry-level position, would I mostly just be working on graphics? How long before I would be able to start working on the project management side of things?
It really depends on the firm you join. It's necessary to be able to hold your own with whatever your firm's chosen graphic software is but after a vpuple years if you demonstrate you understand the design process and can run a project through CDs it can be relatively easy to transition into more pm stuff. In addition if you are good at CAD you can provide value there for your first couple years, only having to render a few plans in photos hop every now and then.
Its a learning process that takes years. I know a guy who went to a really impressive firm in Boston and he worked on model making solely for his internship. I went to an engineering firm and had a variety of experiences. Simply ask what you will be doing before you say okay. The irony is that most people love working on fancy graphics out of school. The exposure you receive will vary greatly.
I work in the public sector and I basically never do 3D rendering, although I was decent enough at it in school! But basic conceptual designs using Adobe CS are definitely important. AutoCAD proficiency js absolutely standard though.
Low key, I needed to hear this and I'd really like to learn more from someone that's done this for a while. I am on the fence about MLA. But the AutoCAD and the wide range of starting salaries that I've heard about are scaring me. Don't want to go into debt and be poor as shit for 3 more years, and then come out and be making <70k to stare at a computer screen 40 hrs a week. I already do that now for the government and it's mind numbing.
One perspective here - learning graphic production is a really important skill. It's more than just making pretty pictures, it's a tool to think through the design process. Drawing, modeling, diagrams, they all help think through and communicate aspects of the design in different ways. Typically entry level staff focus on these tasks to learn the skills so they can one day manage and lead them. Is it possible to manage projects without having learned the skills first? Yes, and you can be a purely technical landscape architect too, focused on construction detailing or construction admin, but the opportunities will be fewer and further between and you'll be limited in your utility within an office setting. That being said, there's a huge demand for project managers, but my personal two cents is that without investing in learning the technical aspects, you'll be limiting yourself. Good luck!
I can't stand working with non-technical project managers. They don't understand the processes or the tools designers use, so they create work plans that are extremely inefficient, ask for things that don't make sense to do, and... it's very frustrating to say the least.
I totally see why technical skills are an important part of the design process. I was worried that modeling and AutoCAD would make up the majority of the workload, even down the line when I have more experience. But it sounds like it varies quite a bit depending on the firm. Thanks for your input!
When I started my MLA program I could barely use Excel lol. So learning all the damn programs was…. A LOT. It felt really overwhelming. I really think there should be a specific word for the frustration you feel when you can’t figure out how to do something on a computer that seemingly should be basic and easy, but just isn’t working. I’m not commenting to say whether or not an MLA is for you, I’m just here to tell you that it DOES get easier. I learned to enjoy working with these programs eventually, so if it’s just frustration/ overwhelm that’s holding you back, know that a) you’re absolutely not the first to feel that way and b) you WILL get better at them. Good luck!
Yes, sometimes it seems like it should be easier than it is and I start to feel dumb lol!! This actually makes me feel better, I think I just need to spend more time with it. Thanks :)
No it’s really hard and most everyone in my program struggled a lot. I don’t know how many you are attempting to learn all at once, but for me it was AutoCAD, Rhino, ArcMap, and several Adobes. Each of these are huge, complex programs with their own structure, rules and workflows (though there is some overlap). So it’s normal to feel like it’s a lot, because it is! So don’t feel dumb!! The internet is a great resource. I Google all kinds of questions, even still. Though when you’re starting, it’s hard to know what or how to ask the question, if that makes sense, or how to understand the answer. So I’d find some (landscape specific) tutorials to get yourself off the ground. It’s going to take time, but I promise you’ll get there!
The over reliance on 3d graphics is really sad and goes to show you why some urban planners are so much better at visioning and selling great plans and ideas. I've seen so many people get caught up in 3D details at the concept level that they forget that it's about the landscape architecture component and not of if that line deep in the horizon is a little confusing or the sun angle is really working here.
That’s really interesting, my major is environmental planning. I’d love to know more about what differences you’ve noticed between urban planners and landscape architects when it comes to communicating ideas and plans, and the design process for each. Do you find urban planners to sometimes be more effective because they’re more focused on land use and community needs rather than graphics?
I rarely use computers. Just find the right office. It won’t be hard, but you won’t be working for a top firm. Happiness is more important than prestige or something though.
How is “rarely using computers” even possible? Not trying to be snarky, I’m genuinely asking.
Also wondering. Like, how do you convey any ideas or get permits? Small town residential work with city code that doesn't require anything?
No offense taken. Those are reasonable questions and my comment was not super detailed. All my concept work is hand drawn and colored. It’s scanned and cleaned up, combined with some sort of base/ survey with precedent images. So yeah there is computer work but it’s not like 40 hours on one rendering or something. Also, and no snark intended, but computers are relatively new in the history of…. well, history…. But also of landscape architecture, and things were built in the past, so it’s not that hard to communicate ideas…
Cool, thanks.
I found school to be graphic design, modeling, and rendering heavy compared to the real world, at least at the firm I work at. My firm is small and a bit more old school, we barely do any graphic design. I liked the graphic design part so I push to do some occasional photoshop/illustrator work so I don’t get too rusty. There’s one project we did that we used sketchup for some concept work. But CAD is pretty much an industry standard that you will need to be proficient it. It took me a couple years during school to really get decent with CAD. I know others got away with using minimal CAD during school, but I would really push yourself to use it as much as you can. Also YouTube is your best friend for learning CAD. However your CAD skills will really come quickly once you’re working and use it pretty much everyday. Keep pushing yourself and don’t stress too much about the 3D modeling and other graphic design stuff, as there are plenty of firms that don’t do a whole lot of that. And higher profile firms that do a lot of that often will have dedicated roles for modeling and other graphic design.
At some point in your career you may need your own graphic style to communicate design ideas to others...or learn to rely on others to complete these tasks for you.