landscape designer
Key facts
Shape the world around us! As a landscape designer, you'll blend creativity and technical skill to envision and create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces, from public parks to private gardens.
Landscape designers are responsible for the planning, design, and management of outdoor environments. Your work involves understanding client needs, site analysis, developing design concepts, and overseeing implementation. You’ll consider factors like environmental sustainability, accessibility, aesthetics, and the intended use of the space. The role often requires collaboration with architects, engineers, and contractors.
- • Conducting site assessments and analyzing environmental conditions.
- • Developing design concepts and detailed plans, including planting schemes, hardscape layouts, and irrigation systems.
- • Preparing presentations and proposals for clients, incorporating feedback and revisions.
Shape the world around us! As a landscape designer, you'll blend creativity and technical skill to envision and create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces, from public parks to private gardens.
Could landscape designer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for landscape designer
The outlook for landscape designer is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 79.1%.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could landscape designer change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
How could landscape designer change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
This role remains strongly human-led where make drawings depends on trust, nuance, and real-world judgement.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
AI is more likely to assist supporting tasks such as perform studies and field investigation, documentation, search, and workflow coordination.
Tasks most exposed to automation
Automation pressure appears selective rather than broad, with the strongest signal currently coming from Generative AI.
Detailed Analysis Vital Signs, AI Vectors & Megatrends
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Vital Signs, AI Vectors & Megatrends
Vital Signs
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Megatrend Signals
0-100%Model-derived scores. Indicates structural exposure to megatrends, not direct demand.
Technical Details
NexFuture™ v2.0 combines O*NET ability and activity profiles with ESCO skill group distributions and six global megatrend signals. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture™ Methodology White Paper for full details.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a landscape designer
09 09:00 · Morning perform studies and field investigation
10 10:30 · Mid-morning develop architectural plans
12 12:00 · Midday make drawings
14 14:00 · Afternoon advise supervisors
15 15:30 · Late afternoon create landscape designs
17 17:00 · Wrap-up environmental design
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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landscape architectural instruments
The instruments, tools, symbols and terminology of landscape architectural drawing and specifications; the laws and codes pertaining to landscape architecture and design.
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landscape architecture
The principles and practices used in the architecture and design of outdoor areas.
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plant disease control
Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.
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surveying methods
The fundamental principles and procedures of surveying applied to civil engineering, including remote sensing methods, and related equipment.
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topography
Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
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botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
- design principles
- ecology
- landscape analysis
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develop architectural plans
Draft a master plan for building sites and landscape plantings. Prepare detailed development plans and specifications in accordance with applicable laws. Analyse private development plans for their accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with laws.
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create landscape designs
Use creative ideas to conceptualize landscape projects by making designs, drawings and sketches. These designs consist of parks, highways or walkways and try to create a public functional area.
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perform pest control
Carry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulations
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advise supervisors
Advise supervisor of problems, changes, or suggestions for more effective regulation practice or development activity.
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perform weed control operations
Carry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements.
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inspect project regulations
Inspect projects for regulation and specification compliance. Formulate recommendations to existing specifications and plans.
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perform studies and field investigation
Plan and performs studies and field investigations as required. Inspect landscapes using established techniques and procedures.
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make drawings
Make technical drawings to scale from sketches, drawings, and verbal instructions.
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manage landscape design projects
Make preparations for the development of parks, recreation areas and roadside landscaping. Prepare designs, drawings and specifications for such projects and estimate the costs.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how landscape designer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does landscape designer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education or training is typically needed to become a landscape designer?
- While there are no strict requirements, a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, landscape design, horticulture, or a related field is common. Many designers also develop their skills through internships and professional experience. A strong portfolio showcasing your design abilities is essential.
- Are landscape designers typically employed or do they work as freelancers?
- This occupation is mostly employee-based, with many landscape designers working for landscape architecture firms, planning agencies, or construction companies. However, freelancing is also a common arrangement, particularly for established designers or those specializing in niche areas like residential garden design.
- How important are environmental considerations in landscape design today?
- Environmental sustainability is increasingly vital. Landscape designers are expected to incorporate eco-friendly practices, such as selecting drought-tolerant plants, using permeable paving materials, and designing for water conservation. Understanding local ecosystems and biodiversity is also crucial.