Yuchan LI

28/04

Group preparations for interview session

Many thanks to Ray for preparing the following potential questions. They are really helpful for me to prepare some answers in advance, in order to build up self-confidence for the coming interview.

1.Course Feedback

This course involves several topics that I haven't touched before. Instead of focusing on design, this course introduces more about how design can be successfully implemented, how all parties participate, and the functions of landscape architects in the construction process. It will be helpful to my future work;

Visiting companies online is a part I like very much. Through the live broadcast, I can see the working environment of different design companies more intuitively. Thanks for your arrangement very much.

2. Learning outcome.

First of all, of course, the relevant knowledge of several topics. Especially the topic for my group. I like this kind of group work very much. In addition to learning from each other and acquiring professional knowledge more efficiently and directly, I also learn many interesting forms of presentation. This will also provide me with a lot of inspiration when I do a presentation later; It's the only course involving teamwork in all my courses this semester, which has improved my ability of cooperation.

3. What you do in our group work

While working on the group project, I have actively sorted out the research framework of the subject with my groupmates. In the data collection stage, I have got adequate data and helpt group mates with their work and timely shared my findings and understanding with them. In the process of slides preparation, I have undertaken the conclusion part. Also I have helped my group with building a clear and interesting website. I was mainly responsible for the editing and uploading of the report video.

4. Short comes of your work

As the part I am responsible for is mainly the summary, in order to make the content clear, the form of the slides are simple and direct, but it also leads to a little boring. I should find a better way to make the summary more easily accepted and remembered by the audience.

5.What to Improve

In the later stage of group cooperation, due to the detailed division of labor, we completed this assignment very efficiently. But it also makes me not very familiar with the works of others. We should have more ideas exchanges which may lead to more unexpected discoveries for everyone.

6. Comments for groupmates

The whole semester of working in this group was very relaxing and enjoyable. They are very thoughtful and responsible people. Ray is absolutely a good leader and partner. It is always Ray that organizes our working schedule and framework. But he never emphasizes his contribution, but is always a good listener waiting for any comments and suggestions. Ruby is a nice girl willing to help with any micro things. I really appreciate KY's thoughts. She has a great ability in logical thinking. Anya always provides us with continuous interesting ideas. In short, i really love my group.

In fact, in addition to professional knowledge, this course also shaped my personality. I always remember what Barry said in the first class - if the interviewer asks you a question that is beyond your knowledge reserve, you can honestly say that you can't answer it yet, but you are willing to learn. I realized that the world is friendly and tolerant to young people. We don't have to worry about making mistakes or showing our weak side. It's more important to keep an attitude of being willing to learn.

22/04

In class - Assignment review

Barry reviewed and commented on the application letters we submitted. He gave plenty of advice on both the format and content of the letter.

For the format of application letter：

1. proper greeting and valedictions

2. Write your contact at the beginning

3. Figure out proper and correct salutation of the addressee

4. Politeness of your words

Think of my application letter, I have made a big mistake. I never think of the correct position I am applying for. I was just writing to apply for a class assistant position. I should have searched for more information about Barry ahead.

For the content of application letter:

1. Keep it short and business-like

2. Be matter-of-fact

3. Very short introduction of your current situation

4. Avoid flowery language, flattering, plaudits and honorifics

5. Avoid generalizations about your experience/knowledge, be special

6. Avoid subjective analysis of what you think/feel about yourself/company

7. Tell a personal story about what and why you are motivated/interested/experienced

8. Make allusion to the company ethos and something specific that they did/do/will do that resonates.

Looking back at my application letter, there are a lot of things that need to be improved. For example, I need to delete flowery language and subjective thoughts, put more focus on the company, put myself in their shoes to think about their needs, and find the qualities that fit the company or can provide for the company.

15/04

In class-Job workshop

During the in-class workshop, our group worked out an application letter template.

01/04

Part one: Presentation-Awarding a project: Construction Tendering

The pink group begin their presentation with a quite helpful slide. This slide combines their topic with the topics that have been introduced in the last three weeks together by a timeline bar. I can see the right position of “Construction Tendering” directly.

Effective comparison shows the main differences among this three tendering.

Real case coming after theoretical knowledge.

Part two: Inside view-URBIS

25/03

Part one: Presentation - Organizing a Project (my group)

Well done green group! I really like the final work we produced. And many thanks to Guagua and Zijing for participating in our game.

Part two: Mini quiz3

I've never gotten such a low grade. There are a lot of things I want to write down.

1. What should a Consultancy Agreement contain?

Names of the parties, Key personnel involved, Description of the services to be undertaken, Clarification of the services excluded, Outline of the extent of the project scope, Programme of undertaking the work, Schedule of payment for services, Terms and Conditions, Memorandum of Agreement.

While, indemnity insurance cover and business registration certificates are not necessary to form the agreement.

2. If I was asked to list a fee proposal of services to a client,

Drone Survey, Land Survey, Soil Investigation, Tree Survey, Ecology Survey, Irrigation design, Tree Risk Assessment, and Building Plan Submission are all the items I need to include.

3.Match team member to undertake the relevant work correctly is crucial

Providing the budget for the project - Client

Hiring sub-consultants - Lead Consultant

Working out the cost of the project - Quantity Surveyor

24/03

Rehearsal

Twice rehearsals help us quickly familiarize ourselves with the whole process of the presentation. Ray points out that I sometimes made pronouncing mistakes when I was nervous. I need to prepare another two or three times.

21/03

Seventh group meeting in the studio - f2f

Complete the production of slides and animated videos together. I was so excited when my group mates showed the draft of the video. They did a quite good job. Ray told us about his suggestion for the ending. Since our topic is procurement, which is a strange term to students, in order to facilitate their understanding, we plan to end with an interactive game. The game includes the specific application of purchasing in Hong Kong. I think it's a very good idea. I hope we can do the presentation successfully on Thursday.

18/03

Part one: Presentation - Winning a Project

“Who wants to be a millionaire”, this group set up a virtual Q&A game. Key knowledge and points run through the whole game. Their acting during the game are quite attractive and I can see their efforts and contribution.

This flowchart is quite clear and comprehensive. I can directly figure out what kind of consultant matches me when I am working on a project.

Correct procedures of tendering is crucial. And I really appreciate that the red group showed this timeline to us.

When working on my own topic and searching information related to procurement, I noticed that it can be divided into different types. Such as traditional procurement, design-build procurement, management procurement. That has some similarities with this contract part. This reminds me a lot of my own work.

Office visit-BLEND

17/03

Sixth group meeting in the studio - f2f

The main contents related to our topic were finished. This time, we mainly discussed how to make the animation video and completed the animation script.

14/03

Reading week - Fifth group meeting on Zoom

Today we have discussed the framework of our presentation and decided to arrange our presentation by three animated videos followed by key points and conclusions. I will be responsible for the summary part. Meanwhile, we also come up with some interaction activities that can be used during the presentation to address audiences’ attention.

10/03

Reading week - Forth group meeting via WhatsApp

As our group presentation is coming, we arrange many group meetings during the reading week. We planned to meet on Sunday morning to confirm the content of our presentation, the way how we present and distribute workload to every one of us. And we plan to make some preparations beforehand, such as reading the materials Barry put on moodle and other relevant materials, and finding out the people we can approach to interview.

04/03

Part one: Presentation - Develop or Control

During the group's presentation, I have taken down some key points and drawn a basic diagram for this topic.

Part two: Mini Quiz #2

Second quiz covering the knowledge from the first three topics.

It was still a tough time for me. I almost have no idea about the question related to what to prepare for the TPRA. Knowledge related to this can be referred to Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 4/2020 Tree Preservation.

I have also gotten more information about LVIA from the quiz. The Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Study Brief issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). This assessment considers any potential conflicts with landscape planning policy, any likely impacts to landscape resources and character whilst identifying visual impacts in the areas surrounding the project during both the construction and operation stages.

25/02

Part one: Presentation - You are the Boss!

This time the purple group gave us the presentation. My favorite part is the interview. They chose several teachers we are familiar with and interviewed them about running their design studio or company. Although the possibility of starting a business after graduation is very small, it's interesting and meaningful for me to understand the boss's work content and different perspectives of considering things from the perspective of employees. Much thanks to the white group!

Part two: Mini Quiz #1

This first mini quiz is a summary of the first three topics: “You are a Landscape Architect!” , “Where do you Work?” and “You are the Boss!”

Actually, the questions were quite difficult for me. I wasn’t sure of most of the questions’ answers. And here I just want to draw upon some knowledge I have learnt from the quiz. Hong Kong Government Departments such as Planning Department, Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department, Development Bureau, Housing Department, Highways Department, Lands Department, Government Property Agency, Water Supplies Department, hire Landscape Architects.

11/02

Part one: Presentation - Where do you work

I enjoyed the topic“ Where do you work” shared by the blue group, which shows a general guideline of practical practice for the landscape architecture graduates. Through the fictional six characters, which represent the typical types of graduates, let them experience the process of looking for a job, the characteristics of different jobs have been visually summed up. Immersive experience makes me feel very interesting. And I can foresee the situations I may encounter after graduation.

Part two: Office visiting

We had a virtual office visit to EARTHASIA.

04/02/2021

Third group meeting after class on zoom

After communicating with the teacher, we decided to adjust the research objects and change the design projects of different categories into projects of different scales. For example, research planning projects and small scale design projects are different in the operation process.

27/01/2021

Second group meeting on zoom

We established a google excel to share our initial findings and discussed how to present our ideas to professors the next day.

23/01/2021

First group discussion on zoom.

We together looked through the assignment brief and decided to study the construction of organising a project based on different kinds of design works.