Landscape design

Landscape design is similar to landscape architecture

Landscape architecture

Landscape architecture is a the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve socio-behavioural, environmental, and/or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the careful design of...

. Landscape Design focuses more on the artistic merits of design, while Landscape Architecture encompasses the artistic design as well as structural engineering. Landscape design and Landscape Architecture, both take into account soils, drainage, climate and other issues, because the survival of selected plants depends on those. Landscape Architecture may require a license depending on the country and region (a license is needed in most USA states).

Landscape design is similar to landscape architecture

Landscape architecture

Landscape architecture is a the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve socio-behavioural, environmental, and/or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the careful design of...

. Landscape Design focuses more on the artistic merits of design, while Landscape Architecture encompasses the artistic design as well as structural engineering. Landscape design and Landscape Architecture, both take into account soils, drainage, climate and other issues, because the survival of selected plants depends on those. Landscape Architecture may require a license depending on the country and region (a license is needed in most USA states). In Oregon, for example, a Landscape Contractor licensed with the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board, may provide levels of landscape architecture and design as long as that landscaper does not assign the title "landscape architect" to themselves. Landscape designers may be required to have a license, depending on the level and detail in the design plan, as well as the location. Landscape design landscape planning

Landscape planning

Landscape planning is a branch of landscape architecture. Urban park systems and greenways of the type planned by Frederick Law Olmsted are key examples of urban landscape planning. Landscape designers tend to work for clients who wish to commission construction work...

 is concerned with small and large scale projects. The establishment of landscape plants over a period of time is not landscape design, but is considered "landscape management". Landscape design is almost synonymous with garden design

Garden design

Garden design is the art and process of designing and creating plans for layout and planting of gardens and landscapes. Garden design may be done by the garden owner themselves, or by professionals of varying levels of experience and expertise...

. Landscape architecture and landscape design can, and should, embrace garden design

Garden design

Garden design is the art and process of designing and creating plans for layout and planting of gardens and landscapes. Garden design may be done by the garden owner themselves, or by professionals of varying levels of experience and expertise...

, landscape management

Landscape manager

Landscape managers are professionally qualified experts in landscaping management for conservation and recreation. They work on designed landscapes and on natural landscapes...

, landscape engineering

Landscape engineering

"Landscaping" is the application of mathematics and science to create useful land- and waterscapes. It can also be described as green engineering, but the design professionals best known for landscape engineering are landscape architects. Landscape engineering is the interdisciplinary application...

, landscape detailing

Landscape detailing

Landscape detailing describes the process of integrating soft landscape materials and hard landscape materials to create a landscape design. It requires knowledge of:*Landscape architecture*Landscape engineering*Soft landscape materials...

, landscape urbanism

Landscape urbanism

Landscape Urbanism is a theory of urbanism arguing that landscape, rather than architecture, is more capable of organizing the city and enhancing the urban experience. Landscape Urbanism has emerged as a theory in the last ten years and is far from being a coherent doctrine...

, landscape assessment

Landscape assessment

Landscape assessment is a sub-category of environmental assessment concerned with quality assessment of the landscape. Landscape quality is assessed either as part of a strategic planning process or in connection with a specific development which will have an impact on the landscape.The term...

 and landscape planning

Landscape planning

Landscape planning is a branch of landscape architecture. Urban park systems and greenways of the type planned by Frederick Law Olmsted are key examples of urban landscape planning. Landscape designers tend to work for clients who wish to commission construction work...

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Traditionally, landscape designers and architects have used pencil and paper to plot the position of plants and other landscape features. Landscape design software

Landscape design software

Landscape architects, landscape designers and homeowners often use landscape design software to plot the layout of plants and hardscape features before constructing a landscape. There are two levels of software available, amateur and professional...

 has become a popular choice since the advent of the personal computer

Personal computer

A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end user, with no intervening computer operator...

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Practically speaking, landscape architecture and landscape design are almost the same, if done properly according to the science, knowledge and skill that should be utilized. Some Landscape Designers are licensed Landscape Architects. Sometimes, professionals must call themselves "Landscape Designers" because local laws and rules prevent advertising as "Landscape Architects" without that level of license. Licensed Landscape Architects must pass a rigorous 5 section exam to ensure a minimum level of competency within the profession and to protect the health, welfare and safety of the end user.

There are also licensed Landscape Contractors who perform landscape design. They may employ landscape designers.

Culturally, Landscape Architects are frequently associated with larger projects, and Landscape Designers are associated with smaller projects. But in actual practice, that's not the case 100% of the time.

In the landscape design profession, "Landscape Architecture" is generally the name of the more advanced level of college education pertaining to landscape design.