Garden Designer
What were you doing before studying and why did you decide to study here?
I was a solicitor working in the City for 12 years. During Covid I started thinking about a career change to something that aligned with my passion for the outdoors. I decided to study at KLC School of Design after a friend persuaded me to go along to an open day. After meeting Humaira and looking at all the portfolios on display I was amazed at the level of quality that was being produced only after a year of study. I also felt the course was the most vocational of all the courses I looked in to; ultimately, I wanted to work after the course and I felt KLC was the best course available to prepare me for that.
How do you think studying at KLC School of Design prepared you for what you do now?
The course has prepared me as much as any course could for the real world of garden design. Overall, there is nothing that I hadn’t done or at least heard about during the course that I’ve then gone on to do in my working life.
Can you identify some of the highlights and challenges of your time with us?
Highlights – I am a people person, so my main highlight is all the people I was introduced to, learnt from and worked with through the course; lots of these people I consider friends and now colleagues. Your classmates are a real support through the intensity of the course, and I’ve made some great friends through it. Other highlights are all the various trips we went on; John Little in particular – google it and you’ll see why! Also, the work… I love my job, and it was a pleasure learning the craft.
Challenges – The course is intense and time consuming. Although it is part time it isn’t really as you do need to do a lot of work outside of college hours. I have a young family so had to work out a way to do this and I did, but it was sometimes a challenge!
How has your career evolved since graduating?
After graduating I got a job working at Matthew Childs Design, a multi award-winning studio. We work on a range of projects across the UK and abroad so there is lots of variety and learning opportunities. As the year has progressed, I’ve gained more experience and have been given more responsibility. It was a very exciting start though working on a main avenue garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2024; I couldn’t have asked for better.
What projects are you currently working on?
At the Studio I’m working on some large and small residential gardens in the UK; some of these projects are in the initial design stages and others in the implementation phase of the project. There are also some up-and-coming Commercial projects which I’m excited to get stuck into in 2025.
What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement during the course was winning the final project award for the Isokon. Biggest achievement to date since working was our Bridge to 2030 Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2024 – I absolutely loved that garden and it was a privilege to work on.
Do you have any tips for recent graduates?
The industry is so small so network, network, network. Everyone is lovely and, in most cases, happy to help. Be confident, KLC has prepared you well!
