You can go about planning your landscape designs in whichever way you think is apt.
It does not really require you to be a an expert with skills and nether do you need a certification for this.
It definitely helps if you are qualified so you can get the proportion right.
However, this is not a necessity.
Nowadays there are many sources available to suggest designs and provide tips for your landscape.
To begin with, use your creativity.
Visualize how you would like your project should look after it has been completed.
I do understand that it may not come to you immediately.
You need to understand that it is a process.
You may often start with what you have seen around you and then build upon that idea.
You will be surprised at how various ideas can be put together to create your own theme.
It keeps evolving over time and finally you will have a well defined theme.
While you are on the thinking process, it is better to note everything on paper.
Human mind is prone to forget things that may not seem very important.
An idea forgotten is a crime when it comes to landscaping.
It may have the potential to create that big difference to your overall landscaping project.
Once you have written down all the ideas, you may want to draw the whole plan to put things in perspective.
This will always help during the implementation stage where you will only have to follow the plan and can avoid pressurizing your brains.
Leave all the thinking to the planning stage.
Coordination is important.
This is the trickiest part of any project, especially landscaping.
You may want a lot of different things in your theme.
However, it is important to ensure that all these items compliment each other.
For example, the flowers and trees you choose for your project need to compliment each other and the overall theme as well.
Visualization plays a big role in this exercise.
The better you visualize, the better your final outcome.
Start by using one object at the center of the plan.
This should be one thing that catches the primary attention of any visitor to your garden or backyard.
Start with this point and add other things around this object or prop.
This way you can avoid diluting the theme.
This is a good way to achieve the end result satisfactorily.
Another thing to look forward to is to try and drive the utilitarian value of the landscape.
Not only should the place look beautiful, it should also be a place that can be used for various purposes.
How good is a back yard if it cannot be used for gatherings or for relaxation purposes? Add that soothing feeling to your landscape.
In most cases, water ponds or fountains help achieve this.
Apart from being beautiful to the eyes, the sound of trickling water of for that matter, the mere presence of a pond increases the emotional value of your landscape.
Whatever you do, the only thing you need is to be creative or better still know where to look for ideas.
If none of the above works for you, then you may want to look at professionals to help you go through this process fruitfully.
Good luck!