A landscape architect (or landscape designer) needs to have a strongly spatial brain. They need to be able to visualise how an outdoor space might appear according to different designs, and how people would interact with those different spatial layouts.
The other basic skills and traits that a landscape architect needs including:
* liking the outdoors
* creative thinking
* designing and drawing ability
* language literacy, with regard to both written and oral communication
* computer literacy, ability to use Computer Aided Design (CAD)
* ability to grasp technical and scientific issues
* a solid understanding of conservation issues
* strong observation skills
* being detail-oriented
* grounding in horticulture -- must understand plant and wildlife needs
* understanding of legal frameworks, health and safety issues
* the ability to work alone or as a part of a team
* grasping of basic meso- and micro-level human geography -- how people interact with recreational and other spaces
Practical skills are an asset, too. Sometimes there is no substitute to planting roses, driving a lawnmower, playing a football game, or otherwise interacting with space just as other users or managers will have to.
The other basic skills and traits that a landscape architect needs including:
* liking the outdoors
* creative thinking
* designing and drawing ability
* language literacy, with regard to both written and oral communication
* computer literacy, ability to use Computer Aided Design (CAD)
* ability to grasp technical and scientific issues
* a solid understanding of conservation issues
* strong observation skills
* being detail-oriented
* grounding in horticulture -- must understand plant and wildlife needs
* understanding of legal frameworks, health and safety issues
* the ability to work alone or as a part of a team
* grasping of basic meso- and micro-level human geography -- how people interact with recreational and other spaces
Practical skills are an asset, too. Sometimes there is no substitute to planting roses, driving a lawnmower, playing a football game, or otherwise interacting with space just as other users or managers will have to.
