Page 156 - homes & gardens

jOanna MIDWInTEr On ThE bEgInnIngs Of hEr nEW carEEr

Why did you decide all the areas I needed in order to start a career business. I’ve also found that I enjoy meeting
to train as a garden in garden design. We learned how to consult clients and discussing their ideas; some of
designer? “I’ve always with clients, create briefs and carry out site their requests are quite fascinating.”
been passionate about surveys, as well as how to develop designs
gardening and garden using a wide variety of media and to present How has the experience affected your
design – my grandfather our ideas. One of the best aspects was that we design work? “One of the things I‘ve learned
and great grandfather were able to work on real projects; learning is the importance of having a good network
were both professional how to understand the owners’ requirements of contractors and suppliers that you can
gardeners. I’ve worked as a computer software and aspirations was invaluable.” rely on. Garden design is not an impulse buy,
developer since university, but over the years so in my frst trading year I’ve been getting
I’ve enjoyed a huge sense of satisfaction and Who or what inspires and influences your to know my local area. I’ve visited business
consolation from gardening my own little plot garden designs? “I’ve never been a history fairs, given talks, made videos and more, all
and helping family and friends design theirs. buff, but I was surprised by the usefulness of so that people can get to know and trust me.
I began studying garden design on a part-time the course’s garden and landscape history I’ve also enjoyed working with new materials
basis, but it wasn’t until the fnancial burden element. I focused on 20th-century garden and ideas. I’m pretty open minded but working
of putting my children through university design and it introduced me to so much on live projects has helped me to realise that
had eased that I felt I could concentrate on more of the work of the designers I admire, a lot can be gained from exploring new ideas,
gardening as a career.” while providing a greater depth of knowledge even if at frst they don’t appeal.
about my new profession’s recent history. “I’ve always tried to make sure my designs
Where and what have you been studying? Now, when I do a site visit, I have this broad are achievable but working with clients brings
“Having decided to change careers, I needed background of styles that frequently them more sharply into focus; they ask
a course that would consolidate everything inspires me and helps me envisage what will questions that might never have occurred
I’d learned up to that point, to formalise my work for the client and the space. I admire to me. Using software programs such as
way of working and to get up to speed with all many British designers, some of whom AutoCAD, Photoshop and InDesign to draw
the current practices. I chose the full-time, I’ve met through the Society of Garden plans, and 3D programs such as SketchUp
two-year HND Garden and Landscape Design Designers (SGD). Further afeld, my current to create the garden helps me and my client
course at Duchy College in Rosewarne. It was heroes are Bernard Trainor, Nicole de Vésian, see how the garden will work.”
led by Matt James, who was a wonderfully Adam Woodruff and Piet Oudolf.”
enthusiastic and dynamic course leader, and Tell us about the design for which you
in the second year, which is very tough, we Have you put any of your designs into were jointly awarded SGD’s Student
were steered through the modules with great practice yet? “During the course, we Designer of the Year 2014 “There’s no
patience and skill by Richard Sneesby.” worked on real projects and entered several better feeling in a town or city than turning
competitions, including the SGD’s Garden the corner of a depressing street and fnding
What was it about the course that suited Design Awards, so I’ve been able to get to yourself in a green oasis. The brutalist post-
you so well? “It was wide ranging and covered know some of the best contractors in the war architecture of Plymouth Civic Centre

156 | H&G | SEPTEMBER 2015