Comments About Garden Design School

When I attended one of Robin’s and Moira’s taster sessions (highly recommended) and saw the quality of that year’s student's work, I couldn’t believe I would ever be able to produce anything like it – it was simply stunning stuff and way above the quality I had seen elsewhere.

Somewhat daunted by this, I joined the school this year and have just completed the second term. I have to say it has been an amazing experience. From a standing start (not even knowing how to hold the pencil properly) to producing quality designs and drawings. My knowledge of plants has soared as has my technical skills.

Hard work? You bet, but it is a fantastic experience working with some of the best people in the business. This is not a course based on theory. We are constantly referring to live and past projects, learning the facts that are essential if we plan to turn learning into a business.

So the third term lies in front of us and another mountain of work, challenges and learning. We can’t wait! This is so addictive, I reckon Robin and Moira should be classed as a prescribed drug!

I left a very high paying job to do this and it was the best decision I ever made. To top it all, I have just won my first paying assignment based on the work I have done at the school!

Garden Design School was one of the few schools to offer the professional training that I was looking for. I graduated in 2004/05 having spent a really interesting year of intensive study with a great group of likeminded people. Robin Templar-Williams and Moira Farnham's teaching and commitment to each one of us was of the highest calibre - and as working garden designers they brought a wealth of experience to the classroom.

My year group from Garden Design School still meet on a regular basis, to encourage each other, discuss our various projects and talk over any design problems and how to resolve them. It is also good to know that both Robin and Moira are available for advice if so needed. I found, especially when starting my new business that this back up was invaluable.

I now run a successful garden design practice with a variety of different projects on the go - from small city back yards to converted farmhouses with rolling acres. Life is busy - and I love what I do. My thanks to The Garden Design School for giving me the opportunity, rather later than most, to start a new career.

I cannot recommend this course highly enough to anyone considering training in garden design. I graduated from the Garden Design School three years ago, and I have been running a successful business in the UK and France since then.

As the course is part-time it is necessarily intense and detailed: it’s hard work but will gradually build skills in all of the technical and creative areas you will need to run your own design practice, whatever your previous background might have been. As well as a comprehensive programme of in-house lectures there are practical and theoretical lectures given by leading experts in their field, and four demanding design projects which cover a range of real gardens. These ‘live’ projects ensure that you learn how to tackle many of the design problems you are likely to encounter in the field, and also have the opportunity to develop your ideas through discussion of the alternative design approaches taken by your fellow students.

As practising garden designers Robin and Moira are knowledgeable and supportive tutors - the training they provide is second to none – and after graduation they are still only a phone call or e-mail away if you need advice. My year with Moira and Robin was the culmination of a lifelong interest in all aspects of gardens and garden design, and one which made it possible for me to turn an amateur passion into a completely new profession as a freelance garden designer.

I am currently studying at Garden Design School - and have to say that I am loving every minute! Having been in the computer software industry for the past 20 years I was after a total change in career, but wanted to find the right course for me; one that would cover all aspects of garden design from the basics through to running your own business. And Garden Design School does just that.

The fact that Robin and Moira are respected, practising garden designers means that the course is grounded in reality and everything we do is focused on teaching you how to provide a professional, quality service to your clients. It's certainly not a course for the faint-hearted (you soon learn that garden design is about much more than just plants!), but Moira and Robin are always helpful and supportive and the friendship between the students is great.

The best aspect for me is that assessment is based on four projects done throughout the year. Each is to design a "real" garden and, having just finished the second one, I can say that these are definitely challenging but also very rewarding, and you soon realise just how much you've learned in a short space of time. Also feedback on projects is done as a group, so you learn as much from other students' work as you do from your own.