Floral designers create flower arrangements for all occasions. Those who love flowers can turn their passion into a profession by becoming a floral designer. You should also consider pursuing this line of work as it can help you express your creativity and imagination.
Flower arrangements make for ideal decorations for a variety of events such as weddings, birthdays and bat mitzvas. They also make lovel gifts for special occasions. Florists are also floral designers as they cut and arrange live or dried flowers to create the mood for an event. They also grow or order flowers from wholesalers, determine the type of arrangements clients want and design floral displays according to a particular style. These professionals also do various other tasks such as answering telephones and take ordering. A variety of programs are offered in the floral design that can prepare students for a career in this exciting field.
Floral Design Programs
You can break into the floral design industry with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most floral designers get on-the-job training working under experienced florists. Besides, formal training programs are also offered at several community colleges, private floral schools and vocational schools. Students can pursue the certificate or diploma programs or opt for an associate's or bachelor's degree in floral design.
The curriculum in the floral design programs includes a variety of topics that provides student with the knowledge and skills to decorate flowers and make creative displays. Some of the topics students may study are flower and plant identification, advertising and floral design concepts. In addition to classroom learning, students may also have to complete work experience in a greenhouse as part of their training programs.
Aspiring floral designers can also earn a certification offered by The American Institute of Floral Designers.
Online Floral Design Programs
Some distance learning schools also offer programs in floral design. These programs are self-paced and allow students to study at timings that suit their personal routine. The ones who are engaged in part-time or full-time jobs can also pursue these programs as they facilitate learners to balance their education with their personal and professional commitments.
Important Qualities
Creativity is must for floral designers. They should also have some measure of artistic ability as it is absolutely essential for this line of work. Customer service and organizational skills are also very useful for florists.
Employment Opportunities
Floral designers made a median annual income of $24,750 in May 2014. They can work at grocery stores, merchant wholesalers, florists and other general merchandise stores. Others can work for the online floral arrangement websites that offer a variety of options for customers to choose from.
Florists can also work in the role of landscape architects who design gardens, parks, and other public greenery areas. In addition, they can become wedding floral designers and focuses solely on floral designs that apply particularly to weddings. Some florists also choose to set up their own businesses.
Most florists work full-time while others work on a part-time basis. Seasonal opportunities also present themselves, particularly around holidays, such as Valentine's Day, Christmas and Mother's Day.