I got into the design and Landscape Architecture business because I had one of those 'they pay people to do that?!' moments while looking for a major in college. I've been doodling, daydreaming, and designing as long as I can remember. I recently found a sketch I drew at about age 10 (?) of a pet store layout. I wanted a pet/people introduction room, an educational library, a little garden, a soda machine....I know I did a similar sketch for an imaginary plant nursery a few years later, I just can't find it.The point is that some designers (all of them?) entered their chosen industries because it is what they DO. Naturally. Automatically. All the time. Getting a degree and working in the chosen field for experience is just part of doing it professionally.When you are looking for a designer (of any sort), my personal take on it is that you want to work with someone who you like and who you think might understand you, all the better if that person has good taste. If your preferred designer charges a formidable fee for their time, it may be worth it to negotiate the contract so that you can work with the person you want to work with instead of looking for someone you can "afford". Perhaps that favored designer will sit down with you and brainstorm on the design for an hour or so. A napkin sketch and some notes can be all you need in certain situations. No contract is final until it is signed, see what you can work out!Keep in mind that bad design is just as expensive to install as good design! Unfortunately, it can cost you buckets more in the long run by lowering (at the very least not increasing) your property value.Good design is an investment - one that is just as important as the materials you choose to use and proper maintenance.