The Goal

Creating alternative designs means breaking the mold and thinking outside the box with design and sustainability.

As an ambitious designer, it is my mission to think deeper, focusing on thoughtfully analyzing a site and the environment surrounding it. Asking myself questions about what is existing on this site, what plants are naturally growing, what is the topography telling me, and thinking about what on this site can I use and incorporate into my designs. Using alternative thinking to bring that sustainability aspect to life. Curating designs that are different, functional, and beautiful.

My Approach

Balance

Connection to nature is an important aspect of landscape design that shouldn’t be ignored. Curating a sense of place in nature for all people is the overall goal of a design. It is this balance that can bring someone closer to nature anywhere, anytime. Thinking about the community should always be at the forefront when starting a project.

Sustainability

Sustainability goes hand-in-hand with landscape design. Thinking about how the environment, economy, and people can connect harmoniously. Focusing on minimal disturbance to the existing earth, using native and drought tolerant plants, water consciousness, avoiding monocultures, and education for the community. These are my key considerations when in the design process.

Details

Taking the big picture ideas and constantly moving in closer and focusing on those details that will make a project stand out. The intricacies must be well thought out to ensure a quality design that is resilient.

My Experience

Montana State University: 2019 to 2023

  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture (focus on Landscape design)

  • Minor in Sustainability Studies

  • Linden tree research on what planting style is most effective for urban planting

  • Independent study design done for my parent’s backyard

Blanchford Landscape Group: 2021 to 2023

  • Crew member and crew leader for the garden maintenance team

Independent Design Job: September 2023 - February 2024

  • Front and backyard design for a family who seeks easy maintenance, low water usage, and screening from neighbors

  • Create a cost-effective design that they can install themselves

Outdoor Design Studio Entry Level Landscape Designer: April 2024 - November 2024

  • Collaborate on design strategies and ideas

  • Help with marketing on companys’ website and social media pages

  • Create Land F/X Templates

  • Nursery care, ordering, take-offs, and arranging

  • Conduct site visits and analysis

  • Execute digital drafts on AutoCAD and renderings using Lumion, photoshop, etc.

A bloom chart is a great way to represent seasonal color of a plant to make sure you have color all year round and the plants blooming at the same time compliment each other 🪻🌸🌻
Peak the new cover for my new and improved website! Please check it out https://www.sophiashinpaugh.com/
Finished with senior studio and our project for HRDC Bozeman - just 2 more weeks until I’m a MSU graduate
Summer vs. Winter Rooftop design
Scroll for the final planting design! Started without color, moved to color pencil, then markers. Can you guess what the hidden surprise is? Hint: it involves the color yellow
About the Designer: I will be a graduate from Montana State University Landscape Design program in December 2023. With a minor in sustainability studies I am to combine my love for design and the environment to create innovative designs that benefit