The garden design diploma course from
the Garden Design Academy of Ireland
The comprehensive design course is divided into four sections, each corresponding to its own information packed textbook. Throughout the course you will complete ten assignments designed to prepare you for situations you'll come across in the real world of design. Your professional course tutor will review each assignment carefully and will provide feedback and guidance to help you reach your full potential.
The course begins with the fundamentals that all garden designers need to know. That base knowledge is then built on to develop each student's imagination and to discover and nurture their own individual design style. From there the course expands to deepen the student's knowledge and experience in a wide range of situations. The student learns how to assess a client's needs, how to prepare a presentation and how to communicate effectively with a client. The end result is a student with a well-rounded education and the confidence needed to begin a career in the garden design industry.
James Kilkelly - Course Author
James is a well-known figure in the garden design industry. He has worked on many of Ireland's most spectacular gardens including The Royal Hospital (Kilmainham); The War Memorial Gardens (Inchicore) and St. Anne's Park and Rose Garden (Dublin).
James' grounding in garden design began at the National Botanic Gardens (Glasnevin, Dublin). He has since gone on to win numerous awards for his garden designs, most notable of which was for his Malaysian themed garden at the 2006 "Garden Heaven" show in Punchestown.
James currently operates a successful garden design practice and writes weekly gardening articles for the Tuam Herald and Galway Independent. He also teaches classes in garden design layout and maintenance at various technical institutes across Ireland.