Check your grocery store

The Chicago area is well represented in a new publication called Distinctive Backyard Ideas written by Barbara Ballinger and published by Harris Publishing. Of the 42 projects featured, SIX were produced by my company. I have no idea how often this publication will come out, but word on the street is they are working on another one.

A word to the wise: Although the photo on the cover is nice, they did ask me to submit something for the cover. Problem was that my digital photos were not of high enough resolution. For those of you who aspire to have your work published, it's a good idea to make sure you've got at least a 6 megapixel camera.

Another Book

I guess 2007 has been a good year for PR opportunities!

A couple years ago I was approached by Andrew Wilson, who was one of my teachers at the Inchbald School of Design in London 20 years ago, about a book he was working on. Well, it just came out, though it doesn't appear to be available in the U.S. yet.

The cover image to the left comes from Amazon.com (UK), so if you are interested right away, you can grab one there.

I have not yet had a chance to go through it cover to cover, but it's a very nice coffee table book. I appear to be the only American represented. It's nice to see my friend (and former classmate!) Sally Court represented as well.

A New World For Me

When April arrives, for the first time in my professional life, I will have a job!

Huh?

Yep. I'll be joining the team at Schmechtig Landscapes in Mundelein, IL. We're still working on a title, but I'll be heading up a design team there, so I'll be doing what I love (designing landscapes), without the business function that took so much of my time with Garden Concepts.

I've shared this with only a few people, so you can consider this an announcement. A few have asked why. Without boring you with too many details, it came down to this. I know when I made the commitment to start the AALD that I'd be back designing landscapes come spring, 2007. I could fire up Garden Concepts full bore, but when fall and teaching season arrives, then what? There are always loose ends. This solves that problem, among a slew of others.

In any case, I'm very excited. For those of you who don't know the Schmechtig team, it's worth a visit to their (our!) web site.

More Words

Here are a few more Words We Use.

From Robin Templar Williams, respected garden designer from England and Managing Director of the Garden Design School:

"Positive Line"
"Positive Space"
"Clear Direction"
"Clear Intent"
"Ease of Passage"
"Uninterrupted Flow"
"Seamless Transition"

Rob notes that these phrases are not unique, and he's correct. But they show how an experienced designer thinks. Every single one of these shows intent. Intent is active design. Many designers get hung up on decoration and use terms that reflect that. You often hear things like "This ____ is placed here to provide some 'interest' or 'variety.'" Or "I chose this plant because I really like it." Those are "decorating" terms, not "design" terms. If you can't see the difference, then let me know and I'll try to make it more clear. The point is, Rob is an excellent designer. Good designers place elements in the landscape with a purpose, a defensible purpose. The terms we use to describe this purpose are real indicators of how well we understand what we are doing.

Check Your Pubs

The mail man was very kind to me today!
If you don't subscribe to Landshapes, you ought to. An article I wrote for them last fall has finally appeared. Stephanie Rose and company do a really nice job. By the way, a subscription is free. Just sign up on their web site. My friends Rosalind Reed and Judy Nauseef also have articles in this issue.

Also in the mail was a new publication you may find at the grocery store called Distinctive Backyard Ideas, published by Harris Publications and edited by Barbara Ballinger. I'm looking for a link. When I find it, I'll post it here! Oh, there are 7 of my projects in it covering 24 pages! Chicago appears to be well represented in the publication. Let me know if you see it on magazine stands!