Cómo convertirse en un diseñador floral en Arizona
Floral designers, also called florists, work with fresh or silk flowers and greenery to create floral displays for a variety of events and occasions: anniversary parties, birthday parties, funerals, proms, graduations, and weddings. In addition to displays, floral designers may also create bouquets, wreaths, and even floral crowns. As a floral designer, you’ll need to be creative and have an eye for detail. You’ll also need to be attentive to your clients’ needs as they apply to the occasion. Keep in mind that you’ll be working with people who are at various emotional stages in their lives.
Many types of flowers symbolize different things. As a floral designer, you need to be able to “speak” the language of flowers. For example, a red rose means love, so it is not advisable to send a bouquet of red roses to someone who has just gone on a first date. It is also important to know what color combinations and different flowers go well together. If you are going to use live flowers, it is important to know their shelf life once cut and how to care for them. You can learn all of this through on-the-job training or through educational classes.
Requirements to become a floral designer in Arizona
In Arizona, you do not need to meet any national or state regulations to work as a floral designer. Equipped with a high school diploma or GED, you should be able to find work as an entry-level florist anywhere in the state. Interning or working as an apprentice with an experienced floral designer can help you learn many of the skills you will need to succeed in this sector.
Pursuing formal education in floral design and becoming certified at the state or national level is completely voluntary, but it is recommended. Having a certificate or degree in floral design and being certified at the national or state level could help you advance in this field. It could also mean a higher salary. If you are thinking about becoming self-employed or opening your own floral shop, having formal education or certification will likely attract more clients.
Floral Design Classes in Arizona
Completing a certificate or degree program through a college or university, attending smaller private classes or workshops, learning all you can about floral design will help you thrive in this career field. Here are some ways to further your floral design education in Arizona:
- Flower Bar. The Flower Bar is a Scottsdale florist that offers workshops in addition to offering flower design and delivery. They have traditional workshops that you can participate in or you can schedule a private session. They often repeat the most popular workshops. You can keep the arrangements you make. Materials are included. Most typical workshops are usually 90 minutes long, but private classes can be longer. There is a $100 fee and a minimum of five people are required to register for the global workshop or $300 for the private workshop.
- The Arizona Flower Market. The Arizona Flower Market in Phoenix offers at least three floral design classes a month. Courses include: Floral Wreath Design, Rustic Wedding Centerpiece Design, and Fall Bridal Bouquet Design. Class size is limited, so if you’re interested, reserve your spot early. Cost typically ranges from $40-$75 per class.
National Certification for Floral Designers
Arizona is one of the few states that offers state certification in addition to national certification. Additionally, this certification is offered through the Arizona State Floral Association and is AIFD approved, so it will help you earn your national certification.
There are three levels of certification in the state of Arizona: Arizona Master Florist, Arizona Master Designer, and Arizona Professional Florist. The Arizona Master Florist certification program consists of 12 classes and a final exam and costs $800. You will receive state-recognized credentials as well as a certificate and a pin. The Arizona Master Designer program consists of six classes, costs $515, and you will receive a certificate upon completion. To be recognized as an Arizona Professional Florist, you must complete nine classes and pay $470. These classes are a combination of floral design and business classes. You will receive a certificate once you complete all of the classes.
Having a national certification will show that you are determined to become the best of the best in your field. You can become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) through the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). If you live in a state that has a school that is an AIFD Partner Education Center or a recognized state floral association, you can first complete a program with them and then sit for the Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE). The PFDE consists of an online test and a hands-on design assessment.
If your state does not offer an approved AIFD program, you can still pursue the PFDE. The PFDE requires a $150 registration fee and a $1,550 exam fee. Once you have passed the PFDE, you will be recognized as a CFD in AIFD’s online and print directories and will receive a certificate and pin. To keep your CFD status current, you must pay an annual fee and complete 25 continuing education credits every three years.
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Career prospects and salary expectations
In 2016, 840 people found employment as floral designers in Arizona. The Projections Management Association (PMP) projects that there will be 760 floral designers in the state by 2026. That means there will be a nine percent decrease over a 10-year period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that floral designers earned an average of $13.44 per hour and $27,960 per year in Arizona in 2017. That same year, the highest-paid professionals in the industry earned $36,270. Salaries can also vary by location. In 2017, floral designers in Tucson earned an average of $27,800 and those in Phoenix earned an average of $29,220.
Working as a Floral Designer in Arizona
The job market for floral designers is projected to experience a national decline of six percent by 2026, slightly higher in the state of Arizona. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream of becoming a floral designer. With state and national certification and by staying up to date with current styles through classes and workshops, you can stand out as a floral designer. Consider having an online or physical portfolio so you can showcase your skills.
As a floral designer, you can find work in gardens, greenhouses, flower shops, or grocery stores. Or you may be in a position where you can work as an independent florist or even have your own floral boutique. In addition to Phoenix and Tucson, the largest number of floral designers in Arizona are found working in the cities of Chandler, Flagstaff, Mesa, and Scottsdale.
Flower Bar
- 4200 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale 85251
- (480) 463-4887
- https://azflowerbar.com/collections/workshops
The Flori.Culture
- Scottsdale 85258
- (602) 332-8532
- http://www.thefloriculture.com/classes.html
Mayesh
- 1805 W. Crest Lane, Phoenix 85027
- (623) 582-1290
- https://www.mayesh.com/mdsworkshop-2018/
Baisch and Skinner Phoenix
- 525 West Turney Avenue, Phoenix 85013
- (602) 285-0888
- https://baischandskinner.com/
Arizona Flower Market
- 2050 South 16th St Ste 105, Phoenix 85034
- (602) 707-6294
- http://azflowermarket.com/events/
Metro Tech High School
- 1900 West Thomas Road, Phoenix 85015
- (602) 764-8000
- https://www.pxu.org/Page/5223
Camelback Flowershop
- 4214 E. Indian School Road, Suite #101, Phoenix 85018
- (602) 840-4646
- https://camelbackflowershop.com/collections/design-workshops
Heritage Floral Design
- E Baseline Rd, Phoenix 85042
- (480) 334-7828
- http://www.heritagefloraldesign.com/workshops
MiViva Designs
- PO Box 20155, Fountain Hills 85269
- (602) 558-5757
- https://www.mivivadesigns.com/
Wendell Design Group Florist
- 2120 East 6th Street, Suite 14, Tempe 85281
- (480) 649-7100
- http://www.tempefloralclass.com/classes
God’s Garden Treasures
- 2219 S 48th Street, Suite G, Tempe 85282
- (480) 603-7673
- https://www.godsgardentreasures.com/pages/flowerology-classes
Allan’s Flowers & More
- 1095 E. Gurley St., Prescott 86301
- (928) 445-5131
- https://allansflowers.com/classes/
Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson
- 2130 North Alvernon Way, Tucson 85712
- (520) 303-3945
- https://www.yumegardens.org/classes-workshops