Floral design involves the art of selecting and arranging flowers into lush and attractive designs in order to lend beauty to a variety of events and circumstances. Floral designers, also known as florists, trim or cut flowers that can be either live, dried, or or made of silk. They then design displays by selecting a harmonious blend of flowers, ribbons, containers, and other accouterments. These designs can eventually serve as centerpieces for tables, bouquets, wreaths for holidays, corsages, and the like, for such gatherings as weddings, funerals, and birthdays. It is very evident that those who are interested in floral design should have a strong passion for plant life, botany, and gardening; another clearly important inclusion among their interests should be art, design, and the crafting of creative projects.

The majority of floral designers or florists are hired by small-scale or independent floral shops and work by receiving customized orders or on building mass orders for large functions. Florists can also work for grocery stores, florist companies based on the Internet, or for themselves, running their own businesses. During the holiday season, florists are pushed to the maximum, working weekends and nights in order to arrange extra flower selections, which cannot be made too far in advance, as the freshness of the flowers is always prized above all. 

Individuals who would like to become a florist can pick up their technique on the job or attend a vocational school or a community college to earn a certificate in floral design. Bachelor's degrees can also come in very handy for florists, grounding them in dynamic mastery of such fields as botany, horticulture, or soil management, for instance.

Career Specializations

At this current time, there are no specific concentrations within the floral design career. Most florists are trained and experienced well enough to handle with relative ease nearly any of the scenarios that they may encounter, from small yet extreme ornate work, to fielding numerous orders on short deadlines.

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Degree Levels

• Certificate in Floral Design: 4 weeks-1 year to complete
• Associate Degree in a Related Field: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree in a Related Field: 4 years to complete

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Education & Certification Requirements

The majority of professionals in floral design have only a high school diploma. Experiential learning, while on the job, is the traditional means of learning the floral trade. In fact, employers will often scout for high school students who demonstrate an interest in design or creative activities combined with a willingness to take instruction. With that said, floral school is becoming a more available route into the career, lasting from a month up to one year. Vocational schools and many community colleges may also offer floral design certificates. In these classes, students learn about diversity and types of flowers, color and texture, skills in taping and cutting blossoms, arrangement presentation, flower handling technique, trends in floral design, and floral pricing. Students who would really like to prosper in this field combine this practical learning with an associate or bachelor's degree; a college diploma can lead to better-quality and higher-paying work. The most appropriate subjects for florist work include horticulture and floriculture, in which classes such as botany, chemistry, pesticides, and hydrology can be expected. Getting a bachelor's degree in business management, marketing, accounting, or computer skills is also a smart move -- especially for those contemplating an entrepreneurial path.

Certification is available in the sphere of floral design. The American Institute of Floral Designers provides this professional approval via an examination. Unfortunately, floral design does not provide many opportunities to advance in employment; becoming a supervisor or running a private business are the two peak possibilities in this field. (BLS)

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Salary Information

Salary for floral designers and florists is less than stellar. Those just beginning in this profession can anticipate receiving around $16,000 annually for their first few years. The majority of floral designers earn close to $25,000 in a single year, and those at the height of the profession take home more than $35,000 per annum. The most important factor in helping pay to rise is the development of a consistently reliable and growing base of clients, whose business can be counted on. An occasionally risky venture, starting one's own florist operation in a highly marketable area, such as an urban locale, can also potentially pay off with greater pay, especially if the shop gains a reputation for the freshest flowers and best arrangements. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

The figures for the future of employment in floral design are dim. By the year 2018, it is predicted that demand for the profession will dip by three percent. Everyday floral purchases occur more frequently in grocery stores, who can mass-produce them, than in floral shops, where arrangements are crafted by hand. The low wages and thin advancement possibilities, however, lead to heavy turnover in employment for florists. Those new to the field can benefit from this; alternatively, they can focus on finding Internet florist work, grocery store floral design, or open their own businesses and outfit it with an online ordering system. (BLS)

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Related Careers

Interior designers perform tasks similar to those of florists, but they work with furniture and living spaces as opposed to petals and blossoms. These designers are enlisted to arrange interior spaces with aptly chosen decor. Color, texture, placement, functionality, and lighting are all important qualities to their profession. An excellent interior designer can gain a reputation for actually adding to the value of a property via their improvements. 

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