Landscape is a fundamental format in visual arts and design that refers to the horizontal orientation of a composition, where the width exceeds the height, typically in a ratio of approximately 4:3 or 16:9. This orientation draws its name from traditional landscape painting, where artists needed a wider canvas to capture the expansive nature of outdoor scenes. In contemporary design practice, landscape format serves multiple purposes across various media, from print materials to digital interfaces, offering enhanced opportunities for panoramic views and horizontal narrative flow. The format's inherent characteristics make it particularly suitable for presenting wide-ranging visual information, such as architectural renderings, environmental designs, and photographic compositions that emphasize spatial relationships. Its application extends beyond traditional artistic contexts into modern design disciplines, including web design, presentation layouts, and publication design, where it facilitates improved readability and visual hierarchy. The landscape format's effectiveness in conveying spatial relationships and environmental context has made it a preferred choice for design competitions, including the A' Design Award's various categories that focus on environmental and spatial design. This orientation's natural ability to mirror human binocular vision and accommodate the way people naturally scan information from left to right has contributed to its enduring relevance in contemporary design practice.
natural scenery, horizontal orientation, environmental design, spatial composition, visual hierarchy, panoramic view
CITATION : "Lucas Reed. 'Landscape.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=477773 (Accessed on June 04, 2025)"
Landscape is a term that encompasses the visible features of an area of land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal. In the context of design, landscape refers to the art and practice of designing outdoor spaces, including gardens, parks, and other public or private areas. Landscape design involves the planning, layout, and shaping of these spaces, taking into account factors such as topography, soil conditions, climate, and the intended use of the area. This process often includes the selection and placement of plants, trees, and other vegetation, as well as the incorporation of hardscape elements such as paths, walls, and water features. The goal of landscape design is to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally sustainable outdoor environments that enhance the natural beauty of a site while meeting the needs of those who use it. Landscape designers often collaborate with architects, engineers, and other professionals to ensure that the designed landscape integrates seamlessly with buildings and other structures. The practice of landscape design has evolved over time, reflecting changing styles, cultural influences, and environmental concerns. Today, sustainable and ecological landscape design practices are increasingly important, focusing on the use of native plants, water conservation, and the creation of habitats for local wildlife
landscape architecture, garden design, outdoor spaces, environmental sustainability
Landscape, in the broadest sense, refers to the visible features of an area of land, encompassing natural elements such as mountains, hills, water bodies like rivers and lakes, and living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation. It also integrates human elements such as buildings, roads, and other structures, as well as transitory elements like lighting and weather conditions. Essentially, landscape is the dynamic backdrop to our lives, shaped by both natural processes and human interventions. It is not merely an aesthetic backdrop but a living, breathing entity that influences and is influenced by human activity. In the realm of design, landscape architecture is a discipline that focuses on the planning, design, management, and nurturing of these outdoor spaces, both natural and built. The field aims to create harmonious, sustainable, and functional environments that enhance quality of life. Historically, the concept of landscape has evolved from being seen as a scenic view or picturesque background to a more comprehensive understanding that encompasses ecological processes, cultural values, and social interactions. This evolution reflects a growing recognition of the importance of sustainable practices and the need to balance human needs with environmental stewardship. The aesthetic and cultural significance of landscapes has been celebrated in art, literature, and gardening throughout history, from the pastoral landscapes of ancient Rome to the ornamental gardens of the Renaissance and the picturesque and sublime landscapes of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the design and management of landscapes are influenced by contemporary challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss, requiring innovative approaches that integrate ecological, social, and technological considerations.
landscape architecture, sustainable design, urban planning, ecological restoration, green infrastructure
Landscape is a term that encompasses the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies like rivers, lakes, ponds, and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of land use, buildings, and structures, and transitory elements such as lighting and weather conditions. Combining both natural and human aspects, the landscape is a key subject of study within the field of landscape architecture, a discipline that focuses on the design, planning, and management of outdoor spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, and aesthetic outcomes. The historical development of landscape design is deeply intertwined with art, garden design, and architecture throughout the ages, reflecting cultural and societal trends. From the structured gardens of Renaissance Europe to the naturalistic landscapes of the 18th-century English landscape garden movement, and onto the modern and postmodern movements, the concept of landscape has evolved significantly, often serving as a canvas for cultural expression and a reflection of societal values. The aesthetic principles of landscape design emphasize harmony between human-made and natural environments, often seeking to enhance or preserve the beauty of nature while accommodating human needs and aspirations. Technologically, the field of landscape architecture has benefited from advancements in mapping, surveying, and material engineering, allowing for more sophisticated design and maintenance of landscapes. The cultural significance of landscapes is profound, influencing identity, community, and well-being, while also playing a critical role in environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. In the context of design awards, the A' Design Award recognizes outstanding landscape projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence, highlighting the importance of landscape in shaping human experiences and interactions with the natural world.
landscape architecture, garden design, environmental conservation, aesthetic principles, landscape planning, outdoor spaces, human-made environments, natural environments, sustainability in design, A' Design Award
Landscape is a term that encompasses a wide range of meanings and applications. At its core, it refers to an area of land and its accompanying features, both natural and man-made. Landscapes can be characterized by their geological, hydrological, climatic, and vegetational features, as well as the human-made features that are present. They can be seen as a combination of nature and culture, with human activities impacting the natural environment. One important aspect of landscapes is their role in shaping human experience and identity. Landscapes can be used to create a sense of place and community, as well as to inspire creativity and innovation. Landscape design is a creative process that shapes the environment around us by creating outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It takes into consideration the social and ecological aspects of a space, such as how it can be used to benefit the people living and working in it, in addition to its impact on the environment. Another important aspect of landscapes is their ecological value. Landscapes can be used to foster biodiversity, maintain green spaces, and conserve natural resources. Landscape designs involve the judicious use of plants, structures, and other elements to create a cohesive and attractive space. By carefully considering the impact of their design on the environment, designers can create a space that is sustainable and beneficial for the people who inhabit it. In addition to their practical and ecological value, landscapes also have cultural and aesthetic significance. Landscapes can be used to tell stories, evoke emotions, and showcase the character's environment and relationships. They can also be used as a tool to explore creative ideas and bring visions to life.
landforms, vegetation, hydrology, creativity, sustainability
The term landscape has been used frequently within the design field to refer to a range of concepts and processes. At its core, it can be understood as an exploration of a given area in an attempt to develop an understanding of the context, purpose and meaning of that area. As such, the design of a landscape involves consideration of the physical, environmental, social, and economic elements at play, aiming to bring together all components in a meaningful and unified way. By looking at all of these aspects collectively, a design project can be created that establishes an understanding of the area and its potential development, implementation and maintenance from an holistic view.
Urbanism, ecology, sustainability, regeneration, conservation.
Landscape, when discussing graphic design, refers to an overview of the graphic world; it is a general yet vast term that encapsulates the integration of graphics into the art world, often encompassing themes, trends and artistic expression. This term encapsulates a broad range of concepts, from graphic recognition to the wide array of graphic design elements, such as layout, iconography, typography, color theory, composition, illustration and photography. Furthermore, landscape also relates to the technology used in the production of graphic designs, such as digital art, mobile applications and web design, along with the various platforms used to display graphics, such as print, television and online.
Layout, branding, vector, typography, color.
The word Landscape is a noun, referring to an area of land, and its accompanying features, that has been modified by human activity, or that is seen as a natural beauty. Synonyms of this word include prospect, scene, vista and terrain. Antonyms include ugliness, disenchantment and unpleasantness. Cognates of the word include the Spanish paisaje, the French paysage and the Dutch landschap. Variations of the word include landscaping and landscaper.
Etymology, morphology, topography, ecology, geography, botany, geography.
The word ‘landscape’ is an English noun derived from a combination of two older Germanic words - ‘land’ and ‘schap’. This combination reflects the earlier Germanic usage, which strictly distinguished the English term ‘land’ from the German ‘schap’. The latter was used to describe a ‘shape’ or ‘form’ of the land, and is also related to the Scandinavian and Dutch ‘skepper’, which is still in use today. The term was first recorded in the early 17th century in the form of ‘landschap’ and in the 18th century the spelling was revised to take its modern form of ‘landscape’. Linguistically, the word can be defined as a ‘view’ or ‘portion’ of land, featuring both natural and man-made elements. Morphologically, it is constructed from two separate elements which together form the singular ‘landscape’, a term which is used in a variety of contexts to describe different scenes or views of land or the planet. Pragmatically, the term can be used to create a mental image of a certain place and to visualize particular elements or aspects of that place, allowing us to connect with it on a deeper level.
Etymology, Morphology, Landscape, View, Portion.
The term landscape refers to an area of land or terrain from the perspective of its visual features. It encompasses terrain features such as mountains, hills, valleys, rivers, cliffs, lakes, and sometimes man-made features such as roads, bridges, and buildings. In other languages, terms for landscape include terroir in French, landkreis in German, paesaggio in Italian, achit in Mandarin, vatan in Persian, and paisaxe in Galician. Other less-known equivalents include movbata in Azerbaijani, pampelmous in Greek, sundara nashy in Hindi, and andimiz in Turkish.
Mapping topography, visual imagery, relief geography, terrain views, geographic view, environmental shapes, landforms, physical geography, geographical features, land configuration, land area, and relief surface are all synonymous with the concept of land
Landscape refers to an outdoor area of a given place, such as a residence or public space. It encompasses the natural environment, any structures or additions, and any other elements present in the area. It is often used by landscape architects, urban planners, and other professionals to design and create aesthetically pleasing outdoor areas. Landscape designs are often based on environmental principles, such as fostering biodiversity, maintaining green spaces, and conserving natural resources. Such designs involve the judicious use of plants, structures, and other elements to create a cohesive and attractive space.
Landscaping, landscape architecture, outdoor design, horticulture, garden design, planting design.
Landscape is a type of geographic feature that is characterized by the physical features of an area of land, such as its vegetation, terrain, and climate. It is composed of a combination of natural elements including landforms, water bodies, living organisms, and other features that are visible from a particular vantage point. Landscapes are often created through the interaction of human activity and natural processes, and can be manipulated to create different types of features such as gardens, parks, and recreational areas.
Geography, environment, ecology, nature.
Landscape is a common image composition technique used in anime, comics, and manga for creating artistic scenes with a particular emphasis on the natural environment. It focuses on the scenery and atmosphere of outdoor areas like mountains, forests, beaches, and other outdoor locations. The composition of a landscape in anime, comics, and manga can vary in complexity and detail, depending on the story being told. Landscape can also be used to enhance mood and emotions, as well as to showcase the character's environment and relationships.
Anime landscape, comic landscape, manga landscape, outdoor environment, natural environment, atmosphere.
Landscape design is a creative process that shapes the environment around us by creating outdoor spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable. Designers can draw from the beauty of the natural environment to create unique, engaging designs that are tailored to the specific needs of the people living and working in the space. By taking into account the contours of the land, the color palette, and the scale of the environment, designers can create a space that not only looks beautiful but also serves a purpose. Landscape design can also be used to foster a sense of identity, place, and community by carefully considering the social and ecological aspects of a space.
Landscaping, Nature, Ecology, Design.
Landscape design is a powerful tool for designers to explore their creative ideas and bring their visions to life. By taking into account the contours of the land, the color palette, and the scale of the environment, designers can create a unique visual experience. Designers can also draw from the beauty of the natural environment to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Landscape design can be used to create outdoor spaces that are comfortable and inviting, while also taking into consideration the social and ecological aspects of a space. By carefully considering the impact of their design on the environment, designers can create a space that is sustainable and beneficial for the people who inhabit it.
Landscaping, Landscape Design, Nature, Aesthetics, Ecology, Functionality, Creativity, Sustainability.
Landscapes can be used as a tool to inspire creativity and foster innovation. Designers can draw from the beauty of the natural environment to create unique, engaging designs. By taking into account the different elements that make up a landscape – such as the vegetation, landforms, and bodies of water – designers can create a space that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. Landscape design can also be a powerful tool for creating a sense of identity, place, and community. By carefully considering the social and ecological aspects of a space, designers can create an outdoor environment that is both sustainable and enjoyable for the people who inhabit it.
Landscape, Design, Natural Environment, Creativity, Aesthetics, Functionality, Ecology.
Landscape is a powerful tool for designers to explore their creative ideas. Through the use of artistic composition, designers are able to manipulate the elements within a landscape to create a unique visual experience. By taking into account the contours of the land, the color palette, and the scale of the environment, designers can shape a scene that can evoke certain emotions and tell certain stories. Whether a designer is using natural scenes or abstract ones, they can bring to life a vivid visual story that captures the viewers attention and imagination.
Landscape design, nature, environment, composition.
Landscape is a fundamental concept in the field of design. It is an approach to understanding the physical environment and its relationship to the people who interact with it. Landscape design is a creative process that shapes the environment around us by creating outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It takes into consideration the social and ecological aspects of a space, such as how it can be used to benefit the people living and working in it, in addition to its impact on the environment. Landscape design can help create a sense of identity, place, and community.
Landscape design, outdoor spaces, physical environment, environment interaction, social ecology.
Landscape is defined as an area of land including natural features such as physical elements, landforms, vegetation, and bodies of water. Landscapes may be characterized in terms of their geological, hydrological, climatic, and vegetational features, as well as the human-made features that are present. Landscapes can be seen as a combination of nature and culture, with human activities impacting the natural environment.
Landscaping, Nature, Design, Ecosystem, Ecology, Gardening, Outdoors, Plants, Trees, Landforms
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