Mark Selles on Discipline and Design in Landscaping

Mark Selles is an award-winning landscape designer and Executive Director and Senior Landscape Designer at DeSignia Inc in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He has built his career on discipline, craftsmanship, and steady leadership in an industry often driven by trends.

From a young age, Selles was drawn to gardening, camping, fishing, and building mechanical devices. He enjoyed working with his hands and understanding how things functioned. That early interest in both nature and engineering shaped his professional path. Today, he blends practical design with creative vision.

Selles believes strong landscape design must reflect the architecture of a home and support how people use the space. He has written about the difference between style and fashion in landscaping, arguing that trends fade but disciplined design endures. His approach focuses on quality over quantity and careful attention to detail.

Much of his growth came through experience. Early career challenges became learning moments. He continues to submit himself to certification processes and ongoing education. He values humility and believes arrogance is a barrier to progress.

Beyond design, Selles is also an inventor. He holds a patent for a mower blade sharpener that sharpens three blades at once, reflecting his practical engineering mindset.

For Selles, leadership is rooted in character. Faith, accountability, and teamwork guide his decisions. He measures success simply: a completed landscape that works well, looks right, and leaves the client genuinely satisfied.

In Conversation with Mark Selles: Discipline, Design and Leadership

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you to landscape design?

I have always loved the outdoors. As a child, I enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, and spending time at the beach. I also liked building mechanical things. I was curious about how things worked. Landscape design felt like a natural blend of those interests. It allowed me to work outside while still thinking structurally and creatively.

Q: How did those early interests shape your career?

They gave me a practical mindset. I do not see landscaping as decoration. I see it as structure, movement, and function. A landscape must reflect the style of the home, but it must also work in real life. Walkways, elevations, plant placement — all of it has purpose.

Q: You have written about style and fashion in landscaping. What is the difference?

Fashion changes. Twenty-five years ago, everyone wanted Bradford Pear trees. Then Knock-out Roses became popular. Trends come and go. Style should be tied to the architecture of the home. If you design with discipline and follow a clear strategy, the result can outlast fashion.

Q: Were there defining challenges early in your career?

Certainly. Often, issues arose from lack of experience. Those moments forced me to learn. I developed better forms, stronger design strategies, and clearer processes. Failure has been a motivator for me. It pushes you to improve.

Q: How would you describe your leadership style at DeSignia Inc?

Quality over quantity. Attention to detail. I believe in providing the same level of work to everyone, regardless of status. I also rely on my team. When challenges arise, we talk through client needs and site conditions together.

Q: You also hold a patent. How did that come about?

I enjoy mechanical and prototype engineering. I designed a mower blade sharpener that sharpens three blades at once. It reflects how I think. I look for efficiency and improvement in systems, whether that is equipment or design.

Q: How do you stay current in the industry?

I submit to certification processes that require recertification and continuing education. That means seminars and personal study. One of the biggest risks in any field is arrogance. You must stay open to learning.

Q: What role does character play in your work?

Character defines everything. Work and personal life influence each other. If your character is weak, your work will reflect it. For me, faith is foundational. It shapes my work ethic and how I treat people.

Q: How do you measure success?

When I visit a completed site, and the client is happy, and the space looks right — that is success. The design must function well and age well. Landscaping is living art. It grows and evolves.

Q: What advice would you give someone entering the industry?

Stay teachable. Work hard. Pay attention to details. Do not chase trends without understanding structure. Develop discipline. Over time, that foundation will speak for itself.