Landscape & Garden Design

You are supported by two highly accomplished mentors who bring decades of experience, international recognition and deep industry knowledge.

Clare Mackarness

Landscape Designer and Founder of Clare Mack Studio

Your lead mentor is Clare Mackarness, an experienced landscape designer known for her thoughtful, people-focused approach to outdoor spaces.

Clare’s background blends architecture, environmental science and horticulture. This gives her a holistic understanding of how people interact with the natural world and how design can support that experience.

Her career highlights include:

• Starting her career with a respected Melbourne landscape architecture practice

• Establishing Clare Mack Studio, working across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria

• Leading projects from residential gardens through to community and commercial outdoor spaces

• Strong skills in conceptual thinking, hand and digital illustration, planting guidance and spatial layout

• A clear, warm and practical mentoring style

Clare offers grounded, experience-based guidance that links creativity with function.

Jim Fogarty

AILA Registered Landscape Architect and International Award Winning Designer

Alongside Clare, you will also learn from Jim Fogarty, one of Australia’s most recognised and awarded landscape architects.

Jim brings more than 30 years of professional experience and over 30 international design awards, including:

• Sixteen gold medals at major garden and landscape exhibitions

• Gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (2011)

• Winner at the Gardening World Cup in Japan (2011)

• Best in Show at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (2014)

• First Australian invited to design at the Philadelphia Flower Show (2014)

• Designer of major show gardens for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

• Regular judge at leading garden shows worldwide

His work has been showcased globally and has even brought him into conversation with world leaders. Jim’s knowledge of horticulture, conceptual design, and show garden execution gives you insight into design at the highest level.

Discussion boards

Inside the learning platform, you can:

• Ask questions about planting, spatial design, materials, site analysis and concept development

• Share moodboards, site sketches, concept ideas and design challenges

• Learn from mentor feedback and the work of other students

• See how different people respond to the same site or brief

• Build your confidence through collaborative discussion

These boards create a supportive, design-focused learning space where ideas grow over time.

Mentor messaging

You can also message Clare or Jim privately for more targeted guidance. Students often use this to:

• Ask for technical or conceptual advice

• Clarify scale, proportions, layout and planting strategy

• Seek feedback on their activities or project drafts

• Ask about industry pathways, freelancing or further study

• Understand the thinking behind design decisions

This one-to-one access is a major strength for anyone learning a design discipline online.

Detailed mentor feedback

Your mentors review key submissions and provide:

• Constructive critique on your ideas and drawings

• Suggestions to strengthen concept clarity

• Improvements for spatial layout, circulation and use of levels

• Notes on planting structure and species planning

• Tips for visual communication and presentation

• Professional insights based on real project experience

This level of feedback helps you refine your thinking and develop skills that are relevant for both home projects and future work.

Abby: Your digital learning assistant

Inside the platform, you will find Abby, Ulleo’s digital learning assistant, available 24 hours a day. Abby helps you:

• Navigate lessons, topics and activities

• Understand assignment instructions

• Troubleshoot simple platform issues

• Find resources and course materials

• Stay motivated with progress-based prompts

You can reach Abby through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the platform.

Student support

Alongside mentor access, Ulleo provides a strong support system.

Help Centre

The Help Centre includes detailed guides on:

• Course navigation

• Submission requirements

• Troubleshooting

• Account management

• Extensions and timelines

• Common questions and how to get started

Community Support Team

You can contact the support team for help with:

• Technical issues

• LMS access and navigation

• Deadlines and extension requests

• General course support

This means you always have someone to turn to if you need assistance while you study.