Experts in developing outdoor living spaces.

What is the difference between Design and Consultation?

Design is an information gathering and problem solving "process" which is intended to culminate in a plan of attack for completing a project.

Consultation is the act or process of giving expert or professional advice.

The primary distinction between design work and consultation lies with the intended outcome or objectives of the endeavor. The objective of the design process is to arrive at a plan of attack for completing a desired project. The objective of consultation is simply to provide expertise and advice on specific issues.

The main difference between a designer and a consultant is the degree to which they are involved in a project. The designer has overall responsibility for conducting the entire design process. A consultant only provides expertise and advice on specific issues. A consultant can give valuable advice throughout a project without fully understanding the overall scope and objectives of the project. Such is not the case with a designer. The designer must understand everything about the project; how everything fits together. By definition, a designer is a consultant, but a consultant is not necessarily a designer.

George Tucker, owner of landesign and top designer, got his start from the ground up. After attending college, he was called home to help with new landscaping business. Not only did he start designing landscapes for homeowners but he also installed the landscaping that he designed. When the company became more successful, they had to hire more workers so George could spend more time designing. He gradually worked his way out of the labor aspect of landscaping but used that valuable experience and insight in successfully bidding his residential jobs. That experience also let him move into the commercial side of landscaping where landesign is equally successful.