education and events
Design Courses
Ready to launch your design skills to a new level? GENESIS® offers courses dedicated to advancing your knowledge in everything from basic drawing and computer modeling to advanced water feature design.
Interested in bringing GENESIS® faculty to your office/facility to meet with your team? An in-person GENESIS® program tailored to your team would save travel time and expenses for your staff and provide all with the same education to provide your company with an edge over the competition. Contact Jeanne Mendelson, PHTA Vice President of Education and Events.
Click on a course title below to expand the course information.
In-Person
In-person education includes PHTA-hosted events as well as educational sessions at conferences and tradeshows.
October 2-3
Nashville, TN
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT
16 hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member / $2,190 Non-member
Course Rating from Our Students:
Click on the stars above to see testimonials from previous students.
Description:
Foresight is an essential component of good design. In this course, you will retrain how you think of water vessel design by changing the sequence of designing outdoor improvements first, and integrating the pool last. This course will challenge your design approach with a landscape-based process that considers the functionality of the entire space first. The course lecture and projects will focus on sightlines, living spaces, traffic flow, special considerations, and more, and will help you create beautiful designs with high functionality.
This is a required course to become a Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professional.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze art examples; review principal areas of composition.
- Identify categories of outdoor spaces.
- Define site elements that occupy and enhance the function and esthetic of the space.
- Review case studies on the use of outdoor space.
Instructor: Kirk Bianchi
Hotel Accommodations:
Group rates are available at the JW Marriott Nashville, 201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203. The group rate is $329/night plus taxes. To reserve a room at the group rate, please click here to complete the housing request form.
November 9-10
Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
16 hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member / $2,190 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)
Description:
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of good design and will teach you how to lay out the different improvements in your projects (e.g., pool, spa, patio, etc.). We will break the fundamentals down into two categories: the Elements of Design and the Principles of Design. Once you have a good grasp of the fundamentals, you will learn how to apply them. We will start with short practice exercises and build up to a final project: creating a master plan that includes a pool and spa.
This is a required course to become a Certified Builder Professional.
Exclusive for Expo attendees! On the first afternoon of class, we will visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world. We will explore the beautiful outdoor sculpture garden and focus on how the design fundamentals we are learning were used, how those fundamentals affect us when we enter the garden, and how to apply these same techniques in your projects. We will discover how colors and materials can make outdoor spaces look even more amazing; this is a chance to see how creativity can transform outdoor areas into something spectacular.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss fundamental Elements (e.g., line, color, and form) and Principles (e.g., unity, balance, and scale) of design.
- Define perceptual skills and a better understanding of spatial organization and spatial relationships.
- Use these concepts to design beautiful spaces that connect with the surrounding environment.
- Use your communication skills to accurately portray your design intent to the client.
Instructors:
November 9-10
Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
16 hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member / $2,190 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)
Description:
Looking through a magazine of pools, it is easy to find well-conceived plans that failed to unify the design with proper material and color selections. Color is one of our basic means of communication and it influences our emotions, so it must be understood and controlled. This program introduces the basic dynamics of color; its principles, fundamentals, and psychology; and how to apply the science to project design.
This is a required course to become a Certified Builder Professional.
Exclusive for Expo attendees! On the first afternoon of class, we will visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world. We will explore the beautiful outdoor sculpture garden and focus on how the design fundamentals we are learning were used, how those fundamentals affect us when we enter the garden, and how to apply these same techniques in your projects. We will discover how colors and materials can make outdoor spaces look even more amazing; this is a chance to see how creativity can transform outdoor areas into something spectacular.
Learning Objectives:
- List light, vision, and color physics, color theory, primary colors, mixing, blends, color wheel.
- Discuss color psychology, how color affects the viewer, influences of color and texture on purchasing decisions.
- Understand the makeup of a color DNA and the ability to reproduce and match colors.
- Understand the meaning of the color illusion and work through case studies analyzing how color can make or break the design concept.
Instructor: Feras Irikat
November 11
Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
8 hours | 0.8 IACET CEUs | 8 PHTA CEUs
$799 PHTA Member / $1,099 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)
Description:
Health and wellness continue to be a growing movement in our lives, and that includes in the pool and spa world. Even if "wellness" isn't on the forefront of your client's mind, it exists in the background of their desires. As our customers envision their personal space as not just for living and fun, but as a way to create a wellness oasis, it is our responsibility to help them achieve their health goals. This course will help you take steps to integrate wellness into your business model.
Learning Objectives:
- Review wellness staples, basics, and progressive trends.
- Integrate wellness opportunities into your designs and business model.
- Identify opportunities to upsell wellness into your projects.
Instructors:
Read our registration and cancellation policy.
On-Demand
Plan development or design work is a professional service. No matter how small a project is, it starts with a drawing, diagram, sketch, or some representation of the final product - and those services have value. This session will walk you through examples of how, and what justification is applied, to charge for your plans.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the value of your design services.
- Examine outside industries charging for professional services.
- Discuss work product and final deliverables.
CEUs: 0.8
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
All tile vessels are truly works of art. Yet, tile vessels with intricate, patterned designs embedded within take the beautiful to exquisite. As the industry advances, offering unique and challenging designs elevate you and your customers. But have you considered how that design comes from thought to fruition? During this course, you'll hear from tile experts Greg Andrews and Amy Denny on how a simple pattern can turn into your own piece of a Sistine Chapel.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss how a design concept is developed.
- Identify the questions to ask your customers.
- Define the proper techniques to execute the tile design.
CEUs: 1
Instructors:
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
Do you wonder what motivates your client's tastes? Are you answering leads for clients who are willing to spend significant money for a new look? These questions can be answered with a solid understanding of outdoor trends. During this session, Kate Wiseman will provide you insight into current outdoor trends, from colors and materials to furniture and layout. This is a must-attend session for anyone directly working with clientele and product selection.
Learning Objectives:
- Review past outdoor trends.
- Examine upcoming trends and colors.
- Review current influences and how those affect your client's desires.
CEUs: 1
Instructor: Kate Wiseman, MLA
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
While creating a new home or renovation, projects may require collaboration between an architect and a pool designer to achieve the client's desired outcome. During this course, Paul John Boulifard, Architect and Jason Brownlee, Master CBP will explain how their relationship has advanced their customers' projects and their professions.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the need for collaboration of projects.
- Examine how effective communication is key.
- Discuss projects and planning.
CEUs: 1.3
Instructors:
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
Composing the scene to be enjoyed as a whole, by night as well as day, is the key to exceptionally designed environments. This was recorded for the 2021 GENESIS® Symposium.
Learning Objectives:
- Discover and prepare for surprising fixture locations.
- Recognize ways to prioritize elements within your "canvas."
- Describe details on illumination.
CEUs: 1.5
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
Does it ever seem like your customers' requests are coming from outer space? Are you looking for your crystal ball? Conceptualizing what your client wants and what you can provide can be a challenge. During this session, Kate Wiseman will walk you through her method to "read your client's mind." With some tips, tricks, questions, and observations, Kate will show you how to better understand your client's needs, minimizing misunderstandings and ultimately resulting in a smoother project.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine outside influences affecting your customers needs.
- Define questions to ask to ensure you have the information you need.
- Discuss methods of how to better understand your customers.
CEUs: 1
Instructor: Kate Wiseman, MLA
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
Maintaining employees, ensuring you provide a quality product, managing customers, and running a business is difficult, especially during such a transitional year as 2020. However, it can also stall your creativity. To keep you motivated, we'll hear from multiple influencers on how they stay driven and inspired to develop iconic commercial and residential projects. This session was recorded at the 2021 GENESIS® Symposium.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss how to stay inspired.
- Discuss tips and tricks on finding new ideas.
- Elevate your comfort zone.
CEUs: 1.5
PHTA Members: View this course for free with the PHTA Class Pass
Non-Members: Purchase course here ($79)
