Dobson Portfolio
- 3. Philosophy This portfolio and resume highlight several of my favorite projects and accomplishments from my undergraduate design studios, extended internship, and professional experience. My design philosophy is driven by creative concepts and ideas, while still implementing the elements and principles of design. I believe that responding to each project with a vision, passion, and an open mind significantly impacts and shapes my ability to create innovative solutions. The most enjoyable aspect of design for me is the unique process that evolves for each project. I am inspired by landscape architecture because it connects people with the land in many different ways. I am particularly intrigued and interested in sustainable design, planning, and park design.
- 5. objective An employment opportunity in landscape architecture, planning, and design education Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. May 2008 responsibilities • Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants throughout all stages of the design process • Revise design plans based on client input and direction from project manager • Develop site analysis plans and documentation depicting design opportunities and constraints such as land uses, topography, and site context • Design various presentation materials (Master Plan Reports, Final Design Boards, Conceptual Books) including graphics, layout, imagery, color schemes, and fonts • Survey development sites and complete construction inspections for compliance to code accomplishments • Involved in diverse projects: Planned communities, international resorts, theme parks, golf courses & commercial • Participated as member of design team receiving 2nd in City of Newport Beach Park Competition • Produced Final Concept Book for Heng Qin Island Resort & Spa in China • Coordinated 3-D SketchUp model with architectural character, building components, and topography in development of Final Illustrative for a planned community in Egypt key skills • Proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Arcview GIS Mapping, Microsoft Office Suite • Extensive knowledge and experience with Adobe Creative Suite for graphic presentation materials • Creative expression throughout all stages of the design process • Diligent and dedicated to meeting project deadlines • Team-oriented in approach to design professional experience • Graphic Design and Private Residential Landscape Design. Self-employed. May 2009 - present • Various retail and sales positions. In California and Iowa. March 2009 - present • Landscape Architect. Rabben/Herman design office. Newport Beach, CA. July 2008 - November 2008 • Planner Intern. Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Irvine, CA. Extended Internship. January - August 2007 • Site Inspector and Land Surveyor. Snyder & Associates Engineering. Ankeny, IA. May - August 2004 • Landscape Installation and Sales. Earl May Nursery. Cedar Rapids, IA. November 2002 - July 2003
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- 8. I worked at Rabben/Herman design office for approximately four months in 2008. I worked on different teams within the firm on various projects. I helped the teams wherever assistance was needed. It included work in Sketch-Up, AutoCAD, color rendering, and Adobe Suite. The experience I obtained there included preparation of construction drawings, design details, master plan reports, concept design, and presentation materials. Major responsibilities included attending Monday morning staff meetings, working under a Project Manager, meeting deadlines, modifying adjustments to the Principal’s comments, and contributing ideas to the team.
- 9. 1 Work Experience RHDO Newport Beach, CA
- 10. Six Flags Dubailand Theme Park build-out master plan.
- 11. Rabben/Herman Landscape Architecture Master Planning Urban Design Rabben/Herman design office Landscape Architecture Master Planning Urban Design ST. JUDE MEDICAL CENTER Scale : 1” = 8’-0” Work Experience - RHDO, Parking Structure South Elevation November 3, 2008 Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Rabben/Herman design office Fullerton Parking Structure final elevations. Landscape Architecture Master Planning Urban Design Spaces Design ST. JUDE MEDICAL CENTER Scale : 1” = 8’-0” Parking Structure West Elevation November 3, 2008 ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Newport Beach Park Competition concept plan.
- 12. CALIFORNIA My internship experience was in Irvine, California at WATG. I interned there for eight months in 2007. I worked in the Master Planning department and here I learned many important things about how a professional firm works. My personal experience included graphic design and presentation work, marker rendering, Photoshop rendering, AutoCAD, and Sketch-up. Major intern responsibilities included attending Monday morning staff meeting, attending Master Planning meetings, sitting in on client meetings, working in charrette-based atmosphere, meeting various deadlines, and contributing to the Master Planning team.
- 13. 2 Internship Experience WATG Irvine, CA
- 14. Conceptual plan showing land uses in Heng Qin Resort, China. Sketch-up conceptual work showing land uses.
- 15. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Sketch-up conceptual work showing land uses. Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Final aerial perspective - Yacht resort in Egypt.
- 16. HOSPITALITY The main goal of this project was to create an experience and branding for a hotel site on the Mississippi River in Davenport, IA. PROGRAM: Designing a hotel using the outdoor landscape as a themed design principle. Creating spaces to tie the indoor and outdoor spaces together and form an overall setting with numerous experiences. While doing all this, meet all the requirements and necessities of a hotel GOALS: Understanding the connection between the interior and exterior spaces. To obtain knowledge about interior design and the effects it has on the overall architecture of resort design. GROUP MEMBER: Sarah Mayer
- 17. 3 Hospitality Interior Design Competition Dubuque, IA
- 18. Exterior Site Plan. Interior Floor Plan - 1st Floor. Exterior Site perspective .
- 19. Lounge area looking out over the river. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Bar, lounge, and restaurant elevation. Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Restaurant elevation looking over the river. Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Lounge area and restaurant elevation.
- 20. ACCESSIBILITY The main goal of this project was to create a useable space for elderly patients and obtain a visual experience for patients with dementia. PROGRAM: Designing three separate spaces using the back yard approach. Giving the spaces a home-like feel to “de-institutionalize” them. GOALS: Understanding how elderly people use spaces and the accommodations they need for everyday life. To design different spaces using planting schemes, outdoor activity use, and conceptual themes. GROUP MEMBERS: David Locke, Andy Uchytil
- 21. 4 Assisted Living Therapeutic Design
- 22. Front Entrance garden final planting plan (back yard schematic design approach). Front entrance elevation.
- 23. Dementia garden final planting plan. Shade diagram process sketch which influenced design. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living garden final planting plan. Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Conceptual design sketch which Sustainable Agriculture portrays the outward focus. Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects
- 24. PUBLIC PROGRAM: Designing a dominant pedestrian corridor that addresses existing site issues and incorporates unifying elements to create a variety of spaces in a way that compliments and enhances surrounding areas on Iowa State University Campus. GOALS: Designing an environment that optimizes functional use of space and creates an identity which improves aesthetics, historical integrity, safety, and security. Working in a team-oriented process to meet a defined deadline and deliver a final product to the client (Iowa State University). GROUP MEMBERS: LA 401 Fall Class - Section 2
- 25. 5 ISU Campus Community Design Ames, IA
- 26. Conceptual Plan showing pedestrian corridor.
- 27. Perspective showing large pedestrian gathering space. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Linear design process diagram. Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Perspective showing native prairie swale within walkways. Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Perspective showing hardscape pedestrian space. Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Elevation showing native prairie swale and pedestrian walkway.
- 28. Plan showing plaza space and pedestrian corridor between the Memorial Union and Lake Laverne. Elevation showing views looking towards the Campanile and central lawn area.
- 29. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Aerial perspective showing front green space of the Memorial Union entrance. Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Elevation showing pedestrian paths and accessibility.
- 30. GREEN The main goal of this project was to create a environmentally friendly housing development using sustainable practices. PROGRAM: Developing 80 acres of farmland into a housing development. Creating an active outdoor environment using a network of paths to connect neighborhood green spaces. GOALS: Creating a sense of place within the community. Improvements and issues dealing with on-site hydrology including storm water management, no curb and gutters, and rain gardens.
- 31. 6 Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa
- 32. Aerial perspective Typical section between lots.
- 33. Diagrammatic process sketch showing green space. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Site plan diagramming, showing use of space and conceptual work.
- 34. SUSTAINABLE The main goal for this design is developing 4,000 acres using suitability analysis to find the highest suitable land for each use. Agriculture must independently support the community development for 6 months of the year. PROGRAM: Designing a sustainable community at regional scale. Incorporating urban components, crops, pastures, animals, and wetlands. GOALS: Understanding sustainable agriculture approaches, food calculations, utilization of all types of land, and Low Impact Design (LID) elements and standards. To use sustainable agriculture as a practice technique that enhances the design scheme.
- 35. 7 Sustainable Agriculture Story City, IA
- 36. Regional Plan showing separation of agriculture uses, housing developments, and prairie wetlands. Section showing root growth and trail system between woodlands and crops.
- 37. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Initial Conceptual bubble diagram showing land uses. Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Site plan showing the two housing developments.
- 38. FUNDAMENTALS The various projects are a collection of different studios throughout my college career. I believe they all have shaped me in different, yet valuable ways. Each project has its own significance. Some projects show my creative side and others reflect my knowledge of technical and construction details. The fundamentals of design are portrayed in every one.
- 39. 8 Various Studio Projects and Documents
- 40. Built box representation of Savannah Studio Travel experiences. Charcoal self portrait (32x40”). Interpretative model. Built box representation of where I was born.
- 41. Work Experience - RHDO, Newport Beach, California Internship Experience - WATG, Irvine, California Comprehensive grading plan for Ames pool project (Pen & Ink). Hospitality Interior Design Competition Assisted Living Therapeutic Spaces Design ISU Campus Community Design Ames, Iowa Suburban Cornfield Design West Liberty, Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Story City, Iowa Various Studio Projects Retaining Wall Construction detail (AutoCAD).
- 42. references Dan Herman Matthew Beehler Principal - Owner Associate Vice President - Master Planning Rabben/Herman design office - RHDO Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo - WATG 833 Dover Drive, Suite 9 8001 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 500 Newport Beach, California, 92663 Irvine, CA 92618 949.548.3459 / M: 714.366.5786 949.574.8500 danh@rhdo.com mbeehler@watg.com Matt Hazard Chris Bradley Project Manager Project Manager /Herman design office - RHDO Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo - WATG 833 Dover Drive, Suite 9 8001 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 500 Newport Beach, California, 92663 Irvine, CA 92618 949.548.3459 / M: 949.274.5464 714.580.2228 matth@rhdo.com modcon75@yahoo.com Heidi Hohmann Cigdem T. Akkurt Associate Professor Associate Professor Department of Landscape Architecture Iowa State University Iowa State University 581 Design, Ames, IA 50011-3094 146 Design, Ames, IA 50011-3094 515.294.8978 515.294.8938 akkurt@iastate.edu hhohmann@iastate.edu Tom Dunbar Owner Dunbar/Jones 526 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309 866.564-5240 / 715.630.9764 tdunbar@dunbarjones.com
- 43. Nathan Dobson 6080 NE 130th Avenue, Elkhart, Iowa 50073 515.778.7561 dobbern@gmail.com