Between Tradition and Technology: Landscape Design

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: whether you’re creating an entire landscape, or just a flowerbed, it’s always best to start with a drawing to ensure the success of a project.

When I studied landscape design, we started by learning hand-drawing techniques (no, I didn’t go to school in the last century!). I vividly remember the eraser marks and the many revisions that sometimes meant starting whole drawings over again. I also remember the pride, even surprise, when I finished a drawing: the effect was sublime! Was it really me who had drawn it? I find that hand-drawing gives a plan an imperfect beauty, akin to that of nature.

Then we moved on to computer-aided design, and I have to admit I’ve never gone back. I could never be as precise and efficient as I am with a computer. So why were we taught to draw on paper? I imagine it was to enable students to be versatile and to understand the graphic tradition of design, which still influences our work to a great extent today.

Reconnecting With Hand-Drawing

I recently had the chance to get back into hand-drawing during the preparation of the a special event, and I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. However, on a day-to-day basis, I still use my computer for my design work. Is there an advantage to doing one or the other, or is it a question of context or personal style? Let’s find out!

Drawing by Hand

Hand-drawing in landscaping certainly has its charms. When you scribble on paper, you give free rein to your imagination, engaging a part of the brain dedicated to creative thinking. It also requires a certain amount of hand-eye coordination, which activates the motor areas of the brain. And let’s not forget the sensation of direct contact with paper and pencil. It’s also a quick and easy way to bring your ideas to life, without having to juggle with software. With just pencil and paper, you can express your vision without overthinking the details, and at low cost.

However, let’s not kid ourselves: drawing by hand also has its limitations. For a start, not everyone is talented at drawing! Mistakes can quickly accumulate, and eraser marks can make your drawing illegible. Correcting a mistake can sometimes mean starting all over again. Precision isn’t always there, and subtle details can get lost in the paperwork. Not to mention that your beautiful sketches can get damaged over time. If you enjoy the freedom of hand-drawing, bear in mind that it can also be a real challenge, especially if you’re looking to share your work with others.

Computer-Assisted Design

Having explored the charms of hand-drawing, let’s now see how the digital transforms our approach. As I’ve already mentioned, it would be difficult for me to return entirely to hand-drawing after learning to use the computer. The speed of execution just can’t compare! With a computer, it takes me much less time to get a final version of a drawing. Precision is also much better: I can draw to within a millimetre. Some might say that this isn’t always necessary, but it’s an interesting option to have! What’s more, many programs include pre-designed models, such as furniture, that can easily be inserted into a drawing, as well as plant libraries.

I can easily create several versions of the same plan without having to change sheets. With a simple click, I can correct a mistake and modify, move or resize elements without having to start again. And what about all that paper storage? Personally, I try to keep my office paperless, both for environmental reasons and because I hate having to tidy up and store all that darn paper! Once a plan is finished, it’s easy to share it with a client or collaborators, annotate a plan or add comments. I can get lists of materials or plants to plan the execution of the work in just a few clicks.

Disadvantages of Computer-Aided Design

However, computer-aided design also has its drawbacks. The learning curve can be daunting for those unfamiliar with such design software. I still find myself swearing after my software! What’s more, dependence on technology can pose problems in the event of breakdowns or low batteries. Some designers may also feel that the use of digital tools limits their artistic freedom, forcing them to focus on technical details to the detriment of their vision. Finally, the time spent navigating software features can reduce the time devoted to the creation itself. While computer-aided design offers undeniable advantages in terms of precision and efficiency, it also presents challenges that can influence the design process.

A Combination of Both?

There’s nothing to stop you using both methods and getting the best of both worlds. You could, for example:

• Start by drawing quick sketches by hand to explore your ideas, then scan the design and import it into design software to add the finishing touches.
• Make an inventory of your property in an application, then print it out to sketch and stimulate your creativity, without having to redo the original plan.
• Create a drawing on the computer, then color it by hand to add a personal touch.
• Brainstorm by hand to generate design ideas, then choose your best ideas to develop in design software.

It’s also possible to use electronic devices such as smartphones or tablets with a stylus to draw directly on digital plans. What’s more, many computers are now equipped with touch screens, making the creative process even easier. Personally, I haven’t dabbled yet with drawing on a tablet, but I do all my site measurements with one. No need to painstakingly redraw hand drawn measurements onto a computer. I can even connect a laser distance measurer to it which inserts, through Bluetooth, measurements directly into my digital plan (honestly, I could barely read my own handwriting).

The possibilities are now almost limitless. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional, feel free to mix and match these techniques to find your own unique style of landscaping drawing.