That Inner Voice
There is great wisdom in knowing thyself and knowing your true wants and needs. Sadly, this is often coupled with a certain level of frustration, particularly when you are not actually doing what you know is right for you.
For Trevor Isles, this was a very familiar experience. There are any number of reasons why people do not go directly to their dream career. Perhaps the time wasn’t right, maybe financial, geographical or personal responsibilities prohibited it, or perhaps they simply had not figured out what was the right move. Trevor spent 25 years working outside of horticulture and gardens, and while it worked for him on many levels, he was noticing an inner voice that was getting increasingly louder as the years passed.
“I spent the last 25 years in various Project and Contract Management roles, unrelated to horticulture or design. Feeling evermore unfulfilled in my career with every passing year, I decided to leave behind my secure salary, sell my house, and follow my passions back into horticulture.”
When the time came Trevor knew he needed to do it right! He has always been interested in the outdoors and plant life but becoming a professional requires taking that passion and honing and refining it.
“It was a work experience placement in a Garden Centre when I was at school that made me realise I could have a career in horticulture. The placement turned into a part-time, then full-time role, during which time I gained a BTEC First Certificate in Horticulture. Disillusionment, however, with the retail side of the industry led me back to mainstream education as a mature student where, still following my interest in all things natural, I completed a BSc (Hons) Earth Science degree at Kingston University in 1999. This, inadvertently, led me into a private sector career which, although welcomed at the time, did not provide the fulfillment of working outside with plants.”
Choosing Wisely
Even when the time arrives to make a leap and follow your heart, it often needs to be handled with care. Life doesn’t just stand still because you have finally found the space to make your move. There are always personal responsibilities and other people to consider. Trevor’s inner garden designer was not taking no for an answer, so he needed to find the right fit for his big move.
“When I first decided to commit to gaining a qualification in Garden Design, I was looking for a course I could complete remotely, and to my own timetable. The BAGD course gave me this flexibility. Coupled with the positive reviews I read about both the course and the academy, it was an obvious choice.”
As Trevor progressed through his coursework, he began to recognise his own working style and how he approaches things. Garden design involves an innate passion for plants and growing but it is also a discipline that needs a particular skill set. Trevor was bursting with ideas but in order to produce a refined and coherent outdoor space, he had to learn to organise and manage his creative vision.
“Deciding which elements worked well with others and which ones to exclude from a particular design was my steepest learning curve. The feedback I received from my tutor following each submission, however, greatly supported the choices I made and subsequently the designs I created.”
And as Trevor grew as a designer, his confidence naturally followed.
“The most rewarding part of the course I have found is the confidence it has given me to talk to clients about wider design concepts, together with the knowledge to bring historical context into conversations about design in modern gardens.”
The Future is Bright
While the design aspect of garden design is very much creative, what makes it differ from any other design discipline is that a garden is a living, breathing and ever-evolving thing. A garden moves with the seasons; time can be a friend or foe and even old-fashioned neglect can irreparably alter a space. Garden designers are usually employed by clients who can’t, or indeed won’t, maintain a garden themselves. This is why a design must look to the future and be prepared for change.
“Fundamentally it is the plants that I am most passionate about, but I’ve learnt that good design can present plants in whole new dimensions, elevating them above their own individual beauty into something greater.”
And as Trevor looks into his own future, he has already hit the ground running. Achieving his Diploma has reassured Trevor that he is on the right path, which in turn gave him the encouragement he needed to think like a professional.
“I supported myself financially during my course by carrying out garden maintenance work, initially working for friends and neighbours, which quickly grew by word of mouth to a suite of regular, albeit seasonal, customers. I will look to continue to do this as much as I can between any design work, as I very much enjoy the ‘hands on’ experience of gardening.”
Trevor now has a garden design business Gaian Garden Design and has launched his website. Firmly assured that garden design is the right path, Trevor can look forward to a bright and blossoming future.
Are you ready to explore your own Creative Future?
Whether you’re looking to change careers, develop your creative skills, or turn a passion for design into something more, the Garden Design Courses are designed to help you build practical, industry-ready skills from home with personalised tutor feedback and flexible online learning.
Explore now and discover where your creativity could take you.
