Week: HNC Garden and Landscape Design | Eden Project University Centre

Select activity Welcome by Programme Manager | Chris Bisson ... (copy) (copy)

HNC Garden and Landscape Design
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Select activity Joining Instructions (copy)

Joining Instructions
Select activity Year 1 (copy) (copy)

Year 1
Select activity HNC Garden and Landscape Design | Year 1 | PDF

HNC Garden and Landscape Design | Year 1 | PDF File

Full and Part-time Courses Starting September 2025
Select activity Year 2

Year 2
Select activity HNC Garden and Landscape Design | Year 2 | PDF

HNC Garden and Landscape Design | Year 2 | PDF File

Full-time Course Starting September 2025
Select activity Modules (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Modules


Module Title	About the Module
Garden and Landscape Design 1: Foundation – Space, Place and User	This module introduces students to the critical and theoretical processes and visual language of garden and landscape design as a holistic process, encouraging the development and application of parallel critique, conceptual and creative skills. Particular emphasis is placed upon the language and principles of working with space in various locations through exploratory design projects. These encourage the formation of considered judgements about the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design proposal within the scope and scale of a wider environment.
Design Communication: Tools and Techniques	A skills-based unit which gives students a thorough grounding in the language of communicating ideas in 2D, 3D and oral forms using both traditional and digital media. This module will provide technical delivery and assessment of skills in parallel to Garden and Landscape Design 1: Space, Place and User. Exploring the use and role of technical drawings as well as computer design software such as Photoshop, InDesign and SkethUp.
Plant Use in Design	This module introduces and encourages students to develop planting design skills in both garden and landscape contexts. Understanding the roles and functions of a wide variety of plants and how they can be incorporated into a design. This knowledge will be tested through a series of plant idents throughout the academic year.
Horticultural Science	Introduces students to key concepts in plant science along with the management skills necessary for using these concepts in effective garden design. Topics covered include: plant structure, growth and physiology; soil structure and processes; and landscape ecology.
Practical Horticulture for Designers	An introductory module into the horticulture principles and practices which inform, influence and underpin successful garden and landscape design practice. This module makes a practical link between Plant Use in Design, Horticultural Science, and Garden and Landscape Design 1: Foundations – Space, Place and User. In addition, students undertake a work placement and reflect upon their experience.
Academic and Professional Practice	The module will introduce and draw upon contemporary academic practice to help students prepare for higher education study. These skills will be contextualised through the introduction and review of the underpinning global sustainability goals and policy that will inform decisions on how society will build a better future for all. Professional and personal development are supported through tutorials and workshops focusing on transferable skills for study and employment.

Select activity Useful Kit and Resources (copy) (copy) (copy)

Useful Kit and Resources
Select activity Useful KitPlease b...
Useful Kit
Please be advised you will need approximately £100 - £125 to cover essential equipment (drawing/design equipment) with no need to purchase in advance. However, should you want to go ahead or practice see below for a list of useful equipment.

Please Note: There are lots of opportunities (online and possibly on campus) to purchase the following second-hand.

Drawing

Tracing paper (A3)

Sketchbook (A4/A3)

Notebook (A4)

Scale ruler (1:1, 1:20, 1:200, 1:5, 1:50. 1:25) - most used in industry

Sketching paper/pad (A4/A3)

Compass

Drawing pencils (9 B-H) - you can buy a set

Drawing pens (fine liners 0.1mm - 0.7mm) - you can buy a set

Colouring pencils (generic set)

Rubber/putty rubber

Set square

Masking tape

Modelling

Models can be made from any materials. The following are suggested ideas:

Foamboards

Modelling clay

Scalpel

Metal ruler

Suggested Brands

Staedtler

Derwent

Faber-Castell

Desirable Items

Although the campus has an IT suite consisting of desktops with all the relevant design software, the use of a personal laptop might prove useful to practice the implementation and development of design software/programmes when at home or over the holidays.

Please Note: A personal laptop is not a mandatory item but some students have found it useful to have their own laptop so they can develop their designs from home.

Design Software

All software is available on desktops at the Eden Project University Centre. However, if you have your own computer and would like to get used to using the design software over the summer, free trials are available for the following:

SketchUp

InDesign (Adobe)

Photoshop (Adobe)

Extra Expenses

Printing:

You will also need to budget for reprographical/printing costs in the region of £125 - £200 per annum to complete necessary portfolio work (A2, A1, A0 sized items). You will be given printing credit for printing smaller items (A4/A3) on campus.

Practical Work:

Sturdy steel-toe-capped boots (approximately £20 - £50)

A pair of secateurs

Good quality work gloves are required

We also strongly recommend wet-weather attire for outdoor use
Select activity Recommendations for Reading, Watching and Listenin... (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Recommendations for Reading, Watching and Listening Over the Summer
Select activity Reading

Reading
Select activity BooksSome ...
Books
Some of these feature on the reading lists provided at the beginning of the academic year but for a good introduction, have a look at:

Austin, R. (2002) Elements of Planting Design. Wiley.

Dunnett, N. (2019. Naturalistic Planting Design. China: Filbert Press.

Hitchmough, J. and Fieldhouse, K. (2004) Plant User Handbook: A Guide to Effective Specifying. Oxford: Blackwell Science.

James, M. (2016) RHS: How to Plant a Garden. London: Mitchell Beazley.

Thomas, H. and Wooster, S. (2008) The Complete Planting Design Course: Plans and Styles for Every Garden. London: Mitchell Beazley.

Bloom. (2023) What Gardeners Grow: Bloom Gardeners Guide. Volume 6. 600 Plants Chosen by the World’s Greatest Plantspeople: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd.

Magazines
Have a flick through the Society of Garden Designers and Garden Design Journal.
Select activity Watching

Watching
Select activity The Middle-sized Garden | YouTube

The Middle-sized Garden | YouTube URL

For some good introductory tutorials, watch The Middle-sized Garden for inspiration and tips on creating gardens people will love by journalist and author Alexandra Campbell, who has worked for Britain's top magazines and newspapers including, Good Housekeeping, Harpers and Queen, The Daily Telegraph, The Times magazine and more. Please click the link above to watch.
Select activity Listening A couple of good podc...

Listening

A couple of good podcasts to listen to in the background that give you some interesting snippes of what's going on in the world of Horticulture ad Landscape Design.
Select activity Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange | Sarah Raven and Friends | Spotify

Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange | Sarah Raven and Friends | Spotify URL

Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange is the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher, and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which emphasizes intense colour, sophistication and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful. Please click the link above to learn more.
Please Note: A Spotify account is required.
Select activity Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden | Jennifer Jewell | Spotify

Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden | Jennifer Jewell | Spotify URL

Gardens are more than collections of plants. Gardens and gardeners are intersectional spaces and agents for positive change in our world. Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden is a weekly public radio program and podcast exploring what we mean when we garden. Through thoughtful conversations with growers, gardeners, naturalists, scientists, artists and thinkers, Cultivating Place illustrates the many ways in which gardens are integral to our natural and cultural literacy. These conversations celebrate how these interconnections support the places we cultivate, how they nourish our bodies, and feed our spirits. They change the world. Please click the link above to learn more.
Please Note: A Spotify account is required.
Select activity Student Highlights (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Student Highlights
Select activity 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Trip (VIP Tour)Studen... (copy)

2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Trip (VIP Tour)
Students had the exciting opportunity to meet leading garden designers such as Clive West.

HNC Garden and Landscape Design

Eden Project University Centre

Eden Project University Centre

Eden Project University Centre

Eden Project University Centre

Eden Project University Centre

Section outline

HNC Garden and Landscape Design

HNC Garden and Landscape Design

Joining Instructions

Joining Instructions

Year 1

Year 1

Full and Part-time Courses Starting September 2025

Full and Part-time Courses Starting September 2025

Year 2

Year 2

Full-time Course Starting September 2025

Full-time Course Starting September 2025

Modules

Modules

Module Title

About the Module

Garden and Landscape Design 1: Foundation – Space, Place and User

This module introduces students to the critical and theoretical processes and visual language of garden and landscape design as a holistic process, encouraging the development and application of parallel critique, conceptual and creative skills.

Design Communication: Tools and Techniques

A skills-based unit which gives students a thorough grounding in the language of communicating ideas in 2D, 3D and oral forms using both traditional and digital media.

This module will provide technical delivery and assessment of skills in parallel to Garden and Landscape Design 1: Space, Place and User. Exploring the use and role of technical drawings as well as computer design software such as Photoshop, InDesign and SkethUp.

Plant Use in Design

This module introduces and encourages students to develop planting design skills in both garden and landscape contexts.

Understanding the roles and functions of a wide variety of plants and how they can be incorporated into a design. This knowledge will be tested through a series of plant idents throughout the academic year.

Horticultural Science

Introduces students to key concepts in plant science along with the management skills necessary for using these concepts in effective garden design.

Topics covered include: plant structure, growth and physiology; soil structure and processes; and landscape ecology.

Practical Horticulture for Designers

An introductory module into the horticulture principles and practices which inform, influence and underpin successful garden and landscape design practice.

This module makes a practical link between Plant Use in Design, Horticultural Science, and Garden and Landscape Design 1: Foundations – Space, Place and User. In addition, students undertake a work placement and reflect upon their experience.

Academic and Professional Practice

Professional and personal development are supported through tutorials and workshops focusing on transferable skills for study and employment.

Useful Kit and Resources

Useful KitPlease be advised you will need approximately £100 - £125 to cover essential equipment (drawing/design equipment) with no need to purchase in advance. However, should you want to go ahead or practice see below for a list of useful equipment.

Please Note: There are lots of opportunities (online and possibly on campus) to purchase the following second-hand.

Drawing

Although the campus has an IT suite consisting of desktops with all the relevant design software, the use of a personal laptop might prove useful to practice the implementation and development of design software/programmes when at home or over the holidays.

Please Note: A personal laptop is not a mandatory item but some students have found it useful to have their own laptop so they can develop their designs from home.

All software is available on desktops at the Eden Project University Centre. However, if you have your own computer and would like to get used to using the design software over the summer, free trials are available for the following:

SketchUp InDesign (Adobe) Photoshop (Adobe)

Extra Expenses

Printing:

You will also need to budget for reprographical/printing costs in the region of £125 - £200 per annum to complete necessary portfolio work (A2, A1, A0 sized items). You will be given printing credit for printing smaller items (A4/A3) on campus.

Practical Work:

Sturdy steel-toe-capped boots (approximately £20 - £50) A pair of secateurs Good quality work gloves are required We also strongly recommend wet-weather attire for outdoor use

Recommendations for Reading, Watching and Listening Over the Summer

Reading

Books

Some of these feature on the reading lists provided at the beginning of the academic year but for a good introduction, have a look at:

Magazines

Have a flick through the Society of Garden Designers and Garden Design Journal.

Watching

Listening

A couple of good podcasts to listen to in the background that give you some interesting snippes of what's going on in the world of Horticulture ad Landscape Design.

Please Note: A Spotify account is required.

Please Note: A Spotify account is required.

Student Highlights

2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Trip (VIP Tour)Students had the exciting opportunity to meet leading garden designers such as Clive West.

2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Trip (VIP Tour)

Students had the exciting opportunity to meet leading garden designers such as Clive West.

Elearning Team Contact

Cornwall College Campuses

Useful Kit
Please be advised you will need approximately £100 - £125 to cover essential equipment (drawing/design equipment) with no need to purchase in advance. However, should you want to go ahead or practice see below for a list of useful equipment.

SketchUp

InDesign (Adobe)

Photoshop (Adobe)

Sturdy steel-toe-capped boots (approximately £20 - £50)

A pair of secateurs

Good quality work gloves are required

We also strongly recommend wet-weather attire for outdoor use

2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Trip (VIP Tour)
Students had the exciting opportunity to meet leading garden designers such as Clive West.