Searching for something more
David Hodges is a Professional Diploma student at the British Academy of Garden Design with every intention of eventually running his own garden design business, but for those who know him, this may be a surprising career pivot. Having spent 18 years in the motor trade, as well as a stint as a personal trainer and even trying his hand at carpentry, you would be forgiven for not guessing garden design was even on his agenda. But, despite 18 years in one industry, Dave has clearly been on a quest for something more fulfilling. Creative people, and indeed those with a love of nature, tend to have an innate drive to pursue a path that will exorcise that itch. An urge to express and create won’t just go away and after years of trying various fields, Dave finally realised he needed to find that one outlet to satisfy his creative needs. So as a natural lover of the outdoors, he turned his sights to Garden Design. The first step was to tool-up on skills and knowledge.
“After I decided to take the leap to change what I was going to do, I came across the academy online and was instantly impressed. The flexibility in the courses provided suited me in how I could fit it around my day-to-day responsibilities.”
As a child, Dave had the privilege of access to the outdoor wilderness of south Wales, which was his first taste of the joy of nature. It was, however, many years later before he embraced the joys of gardening.
“It was only when I purchased my first house and I got the chance to get my hands dirty was when it all clicked. Now there isn’t a day that goes by that I don't have my morning cuppa thinking about what I’m going to do out there next.”
To learn is to grow
Garden design may be a creative, rewarding and enriching way to make a living but before professionals can reap the benefits of this wellbeing-inducing career, they must first learn the ropes. For Dave, starting off was suddenly daunting. Drawing was not a part of his daily routine and when presented with assignments that involve design plans and drawings, he knew he had to confront it head on!
“I haven’t drawn anything since I was in primary school, and that would of only been scribbles with a crayon, so to go from that to presenting coursework like this was daunting but I must say comparing my first design to my latest one, you would think it was a different person so I am actually very proud of that.”
And that is the beauty of learning. It is not uncommon for people to feel a little overwhelmed at first, after all, it is the start of a new chapter filled with unknowns and new information. But it is important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. Nobody can absorb a whole encyclopedia in one sitting, everything worth doing takes time.
“The most rewarding part is how as the course progresses; I’m starting to believe that I could go to a clients house and confidently present them something that not only fits the bill visually for them but is detailed enough for the landscapers to come in and turn my vision into a reality.”
Fail, fail again, fail better
Garden design is indeed a design discipline, but it also involves a living breathing space that will evolve, grow and shift. Plants work with the seasons and what looks bold and colourful in spring may be subdued and muted in autumn. It is an ongoing process that needs time to be observed in its full cycle. Dave is still balancing his day job with his studies so has yet to have enjoyed the luxury of watching a garden come to fruition. But he is still learning and finding great joy in the design process.
“I’m actively making the plants more of a priority as I can see how important they are to give garden soul – Though I don’ t think I will ever remember the names of most of them!”
Dave spent a long time in a line of work that didn’t bring him much joy, but it brought security. For many this is enough but for Dave, he knew he needed more. He is smart enough to know that as an employee, you are always vulnerable to the whims of the company you work for, so in some ways, if you are going to “fail”, is it not better to fail at something you truly want to do?
“I’ve learned to come out of my comfort zone for the greater good. I spent nearly 2 decades in an industry that I didn’t particularly enjoy because of the stress levels, but I knew it like the back of my hand which gives you that comfort to keep going. But now who knows how things go work wise with this, but I know it gives me the chance to actually enjoy my work, not many people can say that.”
As Dave progresses through his course, he is already getting a glimpse into the sense of achievement that his new endeavour brings. And with his eyes on a future career in garden design, this must be reassuring. Dave has many years’ experience dealing with projects, tradespeople and managing workshops, which will all stand to him as he launches his garden design practice. When asked where he sees himself in 5 years, Dave responded with:
“Sat at a countryside pub, cold beer at arm’s reach, planning my next client's dream garden.”
And with such clarity in his vision of the future, it truly is an achievable dream.
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 Academy’s 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.
