Ep. 012 | Gladiolus Moments w/ Skyler Westergard

In this episode, host Kassy LaBorie is joined by Skyler Westergard, a landscape designer and L&D professional. Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of landscape architecture with art and learning. Skyler shares his journey from childhood fascination with plants to becoming a learning and development manager in a national landscape management company. The conversation emphasizes the intentionality behind design and the beauty that can be found in both landscapes and learning environments.Skyler’s Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skylerwestergard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dapperlandscaper/ Kassy’s Links:Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Skyler Westergard04:17 Skyler's Career Journey07:09 The Role of Learning and Development in Landscaping09:46 Japanese Garden Aesthetics and Design Principles13:59 The Intersection of Landscape Design and Learning18:19 Artistry in Landscape Architecture25:23 The Design Process29:26 The Role of Observation in L&D31:56 The Importance of ObservationTakeaways:The concept of 'gladiola moments' represents pivotal learning experiences.Japanese gardens emphasize intentional design and natural beauty.Observation is crucial in both landscape architecture and learning development.Training materials should be aesthetically pleasing and functional.Understanding the audience's needs is key to effective training.landscape architecture, horticulture, learning and development, design principles, Japanese gardens, observation, applied art, training, beauty in design, professional journey