What You'll Do

  • Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
  • Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
  • Create landscapes that minimize water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.
  • Design and integrate rainwater harvesting or gray and reclaimed water systems to conserve water into building or land designs.
  • Identify and select appropriate sustainable materials for use in landscape designs, such as recycled wood or recycled concrete boards for structural elements or recycled tires for playground bedding.
  • Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
  • Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
  • Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
  • Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
  • Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.12/5
Speaking 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.88/5
Coordination 3.75/5
Operations Analysis 3.75/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.75/5
Writing 3.62/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.62/5
Active Learning 3.5/5
Time Management 3.5/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Dependability, Cooperation, Initiative

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.25/5
Oral Expression 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Originality 4.12/5
Visualization 4.12/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Fluency of Ideas 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe FreeHand MX Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Autodesk 3ds Max Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk Revit Bentley MicroStation Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite Coyote Software DynaSCAPE Design Desktop publishing software ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcView Geographic information system GIS systems Lumion McNeel Rhinoceros 3D Microsoft Access

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.75/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.55/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.5/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.35/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction) Environmental Designer Environmental Planner Exterior Designer Golf Course Architect Golf Course Designer Indoor Landscape Architect Land Planner Landscape Architect Landscape Architectural Designer Landscape Design Assistant Landscape Designer Landscape Engineer Landscape Planner Outdoor Landscape Architect Park Planner Planner Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) Project Landscape Architect Site Planner Sustainable Landscape Architect