Skip to main content

Author: Duncan Heather

Pinterest Ideas: How to use it in Your Design Business

How Pinterest Ideas and inspiration is replacing traditional media.  And how we as designers can use it to help both us and our clients define their sense of style.I used to tell my design students to subscribe to various magazines for inspiration, primarily to help develop their sense of style.  [...]

Plant Pots: Designing With Containers

Almost anything that holds soil could be used for plant pots. Shops stock a vast range of traditional ceramic, terracotta, glass fibre and stone pots, some attractive and some hideous. It's important that they are frost proof, so check those imported from Mediterranean or far eastern countries. Be careful [...]

Garden Images: 10 Professional Garden Photography Tips

Garden images Tip 1. On cloudless days to obtain the best garden images, try to visit the garden early or late in the day to get the best light. ‘The Golden Hour’ is consider to be some of the best light for garden images and many phone apps such as ‘Sun Position’ by Stonekick tell you the start [...]

How to Design a Garden: Does Form Follow Function?

Does Form Follow Function?  A long-term and continuing debate has been whether form follows function, or function follows form? Initially, as a trained artist, but novice, student designer, I felt instinctively - and arrogantly - that the functions of the garden could follow its form; in other words, [...]

How to Design A Garden: Nature As Inspiration

Designing with nature requires the designer to develop heightened awareness. Not just of suitable plants for a specific location, but for the genius loci (spirit of Place).  The climate, prevailing wind direction, aspect, gradient, soil, indigenous vegetation, geology, all affect the design choices.Every [...]

Poisonous Plants: A Garden Designers Guide

A Garden Designer’s Guide To Poisonous PlantsOn average, two gardeners a year die in the UK as a result of poisonous plants. There are poisonous plants lurking in almost every garden, dangerous to humans and animals alike. Many poisonous plants are far from obvious except to the expert. Those discussed [...]

A Digital Portfolio: Website Design for Garden Designers

Your website is your shop window. A digital portfolio which can be easily changed and updated.  In this 2 part article we’ll discuss what to include, what not to include, where to host yours, and tips for designing and maintaining one.  We’ll cover everything you need to know to make one that’s [...]

Employing a Garden Designer – How Much & What To Look For

Employing a garden designer isn’t as straight forward as it may first appear.  The level of competence and professionalism, varies hugely, depending on their qualification and how long they have been practicing.  In a nut shell, a qualified garden designer should be able to offer an almost identical [...]
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons