Emerging Professional Designers

Joshua Stangby

Q: What was the moment that realized you had made the transition from student to professional designer (aside from finishing your educational program)? 

A: The moment when I realized that I was a professional designer was during my first consultation with a client. I remember insecurity running through my veins. The thoughts of how I am going to do, replayed over and over again as I went through my client brief. The classes I took, and time I spent preparing didn’t truly get me ready for the moment when a client and her husband were talking about their yard, and the goals that they had. At that moment, something clicked as we sat down in our chairs and I asked to take a look at their space. Once, we got outside and I saw how their vision would play out the fears and doubts kind of melted away as we began to discuss their lifestyle and how we were going to plan their space out to accommodate their lifestyle and goals. Once, I finished the appointment, and finalized the contract to be commissioned for the landscape design. I felt very accomplished, and also a responsibility to honor their space, and request. The point in which I was able to embrace the insecurity, and turn it into a tool to better serve my client, is when that ‘aha moment’ hit me , me being a professional landscape designer. That same doubt and fear still exist, but I find it to be a useful tool that stretches the imagination, and helps push the design process forward in a positive direction. 

Q: How has Covid affected the launching of your new career? 

A: The Effects of Covid have caused a massive increase in business that I could’ve never imagined! Covid has served as such a unique transitional point in a business as a whole. Before Covid, I was a professional Athlete playing football in Canada. Covid canceled our whole season, which caused me to transition into landscape design full-time. Once, I made the decision to commit full-time to developing and growing my landscape design business. It seemed everyone was at home, spending more time together, and focussing on what they prioritized. A backyard that was previously neglected before covid could no longer wait for people who were forced to live at home. I think the protocols to keep people home, really started to generate conversations at home amongst people. Homeowners started to ask themselves how they could turn their backyard into more functional outdoor living spaces. That in combination, with not being able to see people frequently caused our society to value nature for its innate beauty far more than it did before Covid. People wanted a more practical outdoor living space that catered to their needs. Landscape design is a perfect avenue to explore solutions for homeowners. I’m very excited to see increased growth in the landscape design industry, as it is such an underrated, and underutilized profession. 

Q: Are there any designers (past or present) that you look up to or who continue to influence your work? 

A: In Design and Architecture, I’ve taken a liking to the work of Joseph Huettl from Huettl. I like his approach to using the strategic form within the plan to accommodate the lifestyle of his clients. He uses a simple plant pallet with excellent execution. His color schemes and material choices are very optimal for California landscapes. I’ve taken significant time to study some of his projects, and learn from his planning and execution process.

In the field of Architecture, there are two Franks that I admire, Frank Gehry, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Regards to Frank Gehry, his daring style and innovative form in architecture have changed the way I approach my design process. His usage of Asymmetries, and building movement into his designs through free form have given me much inspiration. He’s very bold in his design style, which has caused me to stretch myself as a designer and truly express myself through my design, and create a unique signature on projects. Also, his personal story resonated with me. He made quite a transition from being a truck driver to ultimately becoming one of the most impactful designers/ architects in American history (this is my opinion based on limited knowledge). His story is a reminder to push your limitations, and embrace the uncomfortability of the unknown. My favorite work is the Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao. Hearing his take on how it was built is a must. 

Frank Lloyd Wright is an Architect, and landscape designer that I’ve gained an affinity for over the years. His ability to make his architecture transition seamlessly into the landscape truly is a perfect example of how man-made structures can seamlessly co-exist with Nature's wondrous beauty. Along with many accolades, he is the Father of modern architecture and design. Having homes located all through the US, my favorites being Taliesin West in Arizona, and the Falling Waters project.

Q: What excites you the most about the field of landscape design? 

A: The most exciting portion is utilizing creativity, and research to find solutions, and bring beauty out to the landscape. In landscape design your possibilities are endless, and one can explore many different realms of the profession. I’ve seen designers who can paint a picture with plants and do so with form and color. I’ve seen designers who are amazing at integrating hardscape in combination with plants. Out of all of these facets of landscape design that is exclusively exciting in California is operating in a drought. Our climate in Central California is more desert-like. We have to find unique ways to preserve water and bring out the beauty within the landscape without utilizing a lot of water. Working with contractors, to find solutions and present new design concepts always serves as an exciting challenge. I look forward to continuing to meet experts in the industry to learn different techniques on how to bring out the best in the landscape.