Floral Designer / Florist

Floral design does not require formal post-secondary education. Most florists learn their skills on the job, often beginning as cashiers or making deliveries. Formal training in design is beneficial for those who hope to advance within the industry or open their own businesses. Certificates in floral design are offered through private floral schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. These programs teach design basics, including types of flowers with emphasis on color and texture, how handle and care for flowers, and basic techniques used in arranging such as cutting, taping, and use of bows and ribbons. Associate's and bachelor's degrees in floral design are also available from some community colleges and universities. Because many floral designers run their own businesses, classes in business, accounting, marketing, and computer technology are also useful for aspiring florists.

Floral designers cut and arrange live, dried, or silk flowers and greenery into displays. Workers must select the flowers, containers, and ribbons to be used in each arrangement and artfully display them in a variety of ways including corsages, centerpieces, and wreaths for a myriad of occasions. Specific duties outside of creating arrangements vary from shop to shop but can include meeting with customers, setting up displays at event sites, caring for flowers, and selecting types of flowers and greenery to be used in future arrangements. Florists also usually keep prearranged flowers in stock for last minute and walk in orders.

Floral designers work closely with customers to meet tight deadlines for holidays or special occasions. Because flowers are perishable, arrangements cannot be completed very far in advance of events. This leads many floral designers to work long hours, including nights and weekends, before and during holiday seasons.

As floral design is considered an art form by many, successful florists must be creative and innovative. They must also be service oriented, willing and able to fill the needs and wishes of clients. Successful floral designers can communicate their ideas visually and in conversation. Floral designers must also keep abreast of changing trends in the industry and work independently, often under pressure. As a result, those who succeed in this industry know how to budget their time and meet deadlines.

Floral design is not a financially lucrative career and is expected to see a slight decline in the number of those employed in the field between now and 2016. However, job opportunities are expected to be good because there is a relatively high turnover rate among retail florists. This is due to the comparatively low starting pay and limited opportunities for advancement. In 2006 the median annual income for wage and salary floral designers was $21,700. The middle fifty percent earned between $17,690 and $27,330 per year.

Judith Blacklock is the bestselling author of several books on floral design. She has written ten since 1992. She has taught floral design in several countries and frequently arranges flowers at Kensington Palace in London. Blacklock is the founder and owner of the Judith Blacklock Flower School, the only accredited, private flower arranging school in the UK. She is also an education partner of the American Institute of Floral Designers. In 2006 Blacklock was honored when a rose varietal was named after her.

Phil Rulloda is a floral design teacher, speaker, and author. He has been a featured speaker at over 500 floral industry events and received many industry honors and awards, most recently the American Institute of Floral Designers Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry. Rulloda is the owner of the Southern California School of Floral Design and claims to be the most honored floral designer in the United States.

The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) was founded in 1965 by a group of florists dedicated to promoting floral design as a professional career. AIFD is based out of Baltimore, Maryland and claims over 1,200 members. Membership in AIFD is selective with aspiring members required to demonstrate their skill in five categories and pass an open book test. Those who become members may use the letters AIFD as an addendum to their business name, but must meet continuing education requirements in order to maintain membership.

The Society of American Florists (SAF) represents 15,000 members in all segments of the floral industry. It was chartered in 1884 by an act of Congress and formed in Chicago, Illinois. It is currently headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. SAF offers its members insight on purchasing trends, current legislation, tactics to increase business profits and efficiency, and technologies, products and services designed to help those in the floral business.

Florists are employed across the United States in a variety of settings. The current best places for aspiring florists to find work are in Midwest states. Dallas, Texas is the top city with florist openings, followed closely by Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For those who prefer the East Coast, there also are open florist positions New York City and Boston, Massachusetts.