Maisy CHUI

28/1/2021 Group introductions

When being asked to introduce ourselves in a 2 minute video was a bit of a surprise since we already know each other quite well within the group. However, when Barry enters the room and started asking us on the knowledge we have on each other, I couldn't help but notice how little we actually know each other. And how even the smallest of details can be useful in knowing better a person professionally. This makes me think about how introductions does not have to be the very formulated "name, reason why I like this field, where I studied" type of talk. Instead, including things like our interests, where we grow up, what kind of places I like to visit can also quite informative to the one listening in. It can also be beneficial as others will have a deeper impression on us!

4/2/2021 You are a Landscape Architect!

In the classmate's presentation, I was introduced to various aspects about "being a landscape architect": ethics, how to become one, legal liabilities etc. I have to admit that I did not have much knowledge on these topics earlier, other than that hearing from seniors that passing an ILA exam is hard and people still try it time after time as the monetary reward is very attractive. After the presentation, I realized that yes, the salary is very attractive, but at the same time, the responsibility is also quite daunting. The topic of negligence and liabilities got me thinking back to the short summer intern I had last summer, where the designers and project managers would have hour-long discussions on seemingly insignificant topics, like the width of the corner turning tiles, the silicon sealing between rubber tiles on children playground etc. The devil is really in the details, although these details are not taught or well thought-out in academic projects, they can have a really important effect on an actual project.

11/2/2021 Where do you Work?

I used to mostly relate landscape architect and related jobs to only design firms, developers and occasionally governmental department. However, after listening in the presentation, it made me realize the field that a landscape architect can work in is much bigger and wider than I thought. This makes me being kind of take pride in the multidisciplinary background I have from the different institution I had been in, knowing that a landscape architect can work not just in design firms kind of made me release a breathe I had no idea I was holding in the first place. Somehow this reminds me of a childhood dream, which was to make pretty imaginary digital places for games and movies. Although I might not have the exact skill set to be "a professional" in that job, being a landscape architect/designer, my skill set can allow me to fit into a lot more than I realize, one day, I might even be able to fulfill that long-forgotten dream that I had.

25/2/2021 You are the Boss!

During the previous weeks of working on this presentation, my team and I have interviewed a lot of different bosses from different types of companies. Although it is highly unlikely that right after graduation, we will become a boss, knowing the ins and outs of a company certainly does more than for starting a business. During interviewing with Ivan and Natalia on what type of person they would like to hire, they answered “someone who can foresee what problems a project will have and act before it actually happened” it hit me that, even though as an employee of a small design firm, the role we all play are not so different from one another. Yes, the boss is the one who started the company, but in the end, it is a team effort to make projects running and the firm going. Even as a employee does not have to worry too much about the administrative side of things, the more we know, the better it is for everyone. There can be more help in checking for errors, room for improvement etc. Just like how planes have to land with windows open.