As designers the way we start a design is critical to the outcome, we are 'a product of our process'.  Increasingly the over visual stimulation of design inspiration has confused the process for many of us……

“…….. We are left struggling to pinpoint good design and we have become confused about what is beautiful.  Our processes are often clouded by technology with many computer aided design programs making geometric decisions for us, many of which avoid basic design principles.  We are left questioning our own individual design processes as we are constantly seeing an edited version of other peoples.“ 

Andrew Duff is a British Garden Designer and educationalist based in London and Wales. His work is often described as creating a conversation between house and garden, ultimately with the landscape beyond. Having spent much of his childhood growing up in the English countryside, Andrew’s gardens are influenced by his choice of native plants juxtaposed with a signature strong structural design. 

We present three lectures by him, with opportunities for discussion.

January 22 - Silence

With over 30 years as a garden designer and educationalist the secret to good design has been difficult to articulate.

Good design is subjective to the viewer, this is how I used to think. Who am I to impose what I consider to be good design on anyone. In recent years I have begun to recognise the importance of silence in design, silence in audio terms but also in visual representation.

Through this lecture we will investigate together the true secret to good design, how to see it in existing spaces and how to ensure it is an essential part of our design process. Tickets £24 - see Diary page, but £60 for all three - book here

February 19 - Respect

Not necessarily a word we relate to the design process, but respectful geometry helps us create better design and ultimately better landscapes.

Through this lecture we will investigate the basics of geometry and begin to recognise how by simply showing respect to the shapes and lines we are drawing will help develop a more cohesive approach and a strong continuity of visual language. Tickets £24 - see Diary page, but £60 for all three

March 19 - Honesty

We each have our own design process, whether it is the need to clear our studios before starting, taking a long walk or simply meditating, discovering an honest approach will transform the way you design.

In this lecture we will take an in depth look across differing art genres as processes used to begin a design. We will become more aware of our own natural processes to help accept and embrace the way we design. Tickets £24 - see Diary page, but £60 for all three

Andrew’s website