London College of Garden Design celebrates Garden Design Diploma success with new online gallery

The London College of Garden Design celebrated student success this week when the Garden Design Diploma class of 2011 graduated. At the same time the College has launched a new interactive gallery on its website which their graduates will be able to use over the coming year to promote their services.

Founded by three of the UK’s top gardening professionals, the College prides itself on having some of the freshest and the best design teaching available.

The Director of Garden Design Studies Andrew Wilson said “This year’s student’s have completed a wide range of projects that test the breadth and scale of skills needed for a successful garden design career. The final project is a major garden or landscape design that the student chooses themselves and are often live projects that launch their career. The new graduate gallery is an ideal way to showcase their hard work.”

This year 4 distinctions were awarded with Ruth Ayoubi receiving the College prize for an outstanding final project and Fiona Silk being awarded the prize from this year’s guest examiner Cleve West who came fresh from his Best Show Garden success at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Cleve addressed the class of 2011 reminding them not to forget the skill of hand drawing alongside the computer skills that they have gained and are now the industry norm.

This is the last year that the Diploma will be taught from Regents Park as from September 2011 the London College of Garden Design one-year Garden Design Diploma classes will take place in the Orangery conference facilities at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Founding Director Andrew Fisher Tomlin pointed out: “Our success is down to a unique combination of talents and teaching that students are finding to be a compelling reason to study with us. Our move to Kew Gardens will underscore that success and we look forward to an inspiring first year in our new location.”

FACTFILE:
The London College of Garden Design aims to offer the best professional garden design courses available in the UK. Launched in 2008 by three of the UK’s leading garden professionals, from September 2011 the London College of Garden Design one-year Garden Design Diploma classes will take place in the Orangery conference facilities at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

In keeping with their vision to offer the best garden design training available, their new teaching facilities are world class and provide a quiet haven for study in the middle of one of the world's leading botanic gardens.

Courses

The Diploma course programme runs with two days contact time per week plus personal study time over a period of 34 weeks, divided into three academic terms. Through lectures, studio work and practical on-site training students are taken through foundation skills to professional design communication skills. As well as design and plant skills students will be equipped with business and construction skills to support their business aspirations. All teaching staff will be practitioners in their particular field enabling students to learn from their experience as well as their teaching.

Short courses for both the recently qualified garden designer and continuing professional development for established designers, are also offered by the College. An individually tailored tutoring service is also available.

www.lcgd.org.uk