Ready, Set… Enter the 2023 APLD International Landscape Design Awards!
2022 Best in Show by APLD Virtual Chapter member, Gavin McWilliam of McWilliam Studio
By Kathy Hubner, APLD Virtual Chapter Board President
Winter is just around the corner and so is the call for entries in the 2023 APLD International Landscape Design Awards. It’s time to photograph your best projects and set aside time to tidy up the plans.
Pictures and plans show the Judges how creatively you transformed the space. That, plus the written description (brief), of the project challenges and solutions is how they evaluate the effectiveness of your creative design solutions. Here are some tips to get you started:
Photograph when plants are mature and filled in. Judges do not want to see a landscape dotted with brand new, tiny plants.
Make sure the site is clean and neat. Hoses, brooms, leaves, dead flowers and even water bottles left in view distract from the beauty of the landscape design!
Supply before and after pictures taken from the same point in the landscape showing the Judges how you transformed the space.
Take pictures that show the entire project. Don’t leave the Judges wondering, “what’s over there”?
Consider hiring a professional photographer to take (after) pictures of the finished, mature landscape project. Schedule well in advance so the photographer can choose the best day and time to take pictures. There’s no sense in paying for a rush job when the weather isn’t cooperating!
Plans are required for all entries and should portray the landscape as installed and photographed. Judges refer to plans as they view the landscape pictures and if they have a question about the execution of the design. Make sure the plans are accurate, easy to understand, and professional quality. Also check and supply the specific plan information required for the design category you’re entering.
Photo descriptions and a written brief are required for all entries. Be clear and concise in your descriptions. Make your words count and make sure to spell check your work. It is highly recommended your writing is spell checked for errors! You want the Judges to focus on your creative accomplishments, not misspelled words.
Start preparing your entry NOW! Don’t wait until the eleventh hour to submit your entry when there is no time to rectify errors!
2022 Gold Medal Winner by APLD Virtual Chapter member, Mason Shaffer of Blanchford Landscape
This year there are some exciting changes to the APLD Landscape Design Awards program:
There is no longer a minimum or maximum time limit for a project to be installed in order to qualify to be entered. As long as the project is mature and well maintained it qualifies for entry. Remember, the Judges strongly advise you not to enter a project too early! If your project is newly installed, use this time to prepare to enter next year. '
A new Early Bird deadline will be offered with a discounted entry fee. And, if you need more time to prepare your entry a later deadline with a standard fee will be available. Please be aware there will be no extensions on either deadline.
Finally, remember your design project is being evaluated solely based on its own merits. You are not competing against other projects in each category. The only projects competing for an award are those Gold projects that are elevated for the Best of Show or Designer of the Year designation.
So, get ready to be awarded! The 2022 Judges said they couldn’t wait to see what will be submitted for 2023!