Nicholas T. Dines, FASLA, is a professor of landscape architecture and serves as graduate MLA program director at the University of Massachusetts where for over 28 years he has taught courses in site engineering, structures, design studio, design drawing, design theory, and professional practice. He is the author of three other McGraw-Hill publications: Landscape Perspective Drawing, the recently released Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Construction Details CD, and the Second Edition of Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture, with Charles W. Harris. He has over 32 years of professional experience, including a 10-year period of work on residential and recreational design projects in Greece. He currently is conducting research in multi-media applications to both professional and academic design and planning practices, with a special focus on site construction and sustainable design. He has a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, and an MLA degree from Harvard Uni...