Cómo convertirse en diseñador floral en Florida
Floral designers, also known as florists, are responsible for cutting and arranging dried, live, and silk flowers and greenery for decoration. They may create individual arrangements for occasions such as graduation parties or births, or they may create various arrangements and displays for larger events such as weddings or parties. Florists must have some artistic ability, creativity, an eye for detail, and good communication skills. They will recommend arrangements based on the client’s needs as well as their budget. Floral designers must know what flowers are in season, the different varieties of flowers and the important details of each, what color schemes work well together, and the shelf life of different flowers once cut. If this sounds appealing to you and you live in Florida, read on to find out how you can become a floral designer in the state.
Requirements to become a floral designer in Florida
There are no national requirements to work as a floral designer, and there are also no state requirements to work as a floral designer in Florida. This means that it is up to employers to determine what requirements they look for when hiring a professional.
Most floral designers have at least a high school diploma or GED. There are post-secondary programs in floral design, as well as classes and workshops, but they are not required. However, if you do not have experience working with flowers and greenery, or if you are considering working independently, it would be best to pursue an educational program or workshop in floral design. You will become familiar with terminology, learn how to identify flowers and plants, and design techniques.
National certification is optional, but some employers are more likely to hire a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) and some may even pay those who are certified more than those who are not.
Florida Courses and Classes for Floral Designers
Whether you’re thinking about becoming a floral designer or have some experience but would like to hone those skills, enrolling in a training program or attending a workshop could be beneficial to your work. Here are some of the options you’ll find in Florida:
- Yola Guz AIFD School of Floral Design. Yola Guz School offers a variety of courses and workshops for those interested in floral design at any level. They are offered at the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced I, and Advanced II levels. The length and cost of the course will depend on the program, with the shortest being the lowest cost. Workshops offered at Yola Guz include: Starting and Operating a Floral Business, How to Create a Strong Online Presence for Florists, Wedding and Bridal Workshop, and Modern Organic Designs. The cost of these workshops ranges from $300-$600. Private courses are also available.
- Miami School of Flower Design. The Miami School of Flower Design is run by celebrity florist Michael Gaffney. Students can take several courses that teach a variety of floral designs. All materials are included in the cost of tuition. Demonstrations, trips to the flower market, and instructor assistance are also included. The Miami School offers a Sampler class for $150 in which students complete three floral design projects. The Introduction to Floral Design class is a three-day course that costs $495. Ten different styles are covered and students visit the flower market. The Design Star class is a one-week session that covers 24 styles of floral design. Students tour the flower market and decorate a mock wedding at the end of the week. The cost of this class is $1850. Finally, there is a Master’s Class that also costs $1850 for a one-week session, but is geared more toward upscale clients and decorating larger venues.
- Miami Dade College. Miami Dade College offers an online course in floral design that consists of 270 credit hours and costs $1,500. This course teaches students the history of design, techniques and specialties for working in floral design, as well as distribution, marketing and advertising.
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National Certification for Floral Designers in Florida
Choosing to become a CFD is ideal for florists who have no experience or are self-employed. Certification also shows employers and clients that you have put time and effort into your career as a floral designer.
You can achieve this certification through the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). You must complete an AIFD-approved education program at a school or through a State Floral Association and then take the online Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) exam. If there is no approved AIFD program in your area, you can take the online PFDE test. Upon completion of either, you will receive an official CFD certificate and pin. You will also be listed in AIFD’s print and online directories as an official CFD.
The floral design programs offered through Yola Guz AIFD School of Floral Design are approved by AIFD. If you complete one of the floral design programs and your instructor determines that your work is at the CFD level, AIFD will invite you to become certified. You will need to pay the appropriate fee and pass the PFDE test with a score of 80 percent or higher.
To remain current as a CFD, certification must be renewed every three years by paying a renewal fee and completing at least 25 continuing education credits through classes or workshops available throughout the state.
Career prospects and salary expectations
There were 2,820 florists employed in the state of Florida in 2016. It is projected that there will be 2,970 in the state by 2026. This represents a five percent increase in the sector within the state. This is good news for Florida florists because jobs are projected to experience a 6.5 percent decline nationally over the next 10 years.
Additionally, in 2017, floral designers in the state earned an average of $13.56 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This equates to an annual average of $28,200. The highest earners in the state earned $38,470 per year.
Working as a floral designer in Florida
In Florida, it is most common to find employment in some of the larger and more populated cities, such as Daytona Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, and Tampa. Florists can find work in retail stores, grocery stores, greenhouses, and flower shops. On the other hand, you can choose to be self-employed or open your own shop. If you are considering becoming a floral designer in Florida, now is the time, as the job outlook is good.
Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs
- 35548 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island 19944
- https://www.delawaregardenclubs.org/flower-shows
Garden Club of Wilmington
- PO Box 3855, Wilmington 19807
- http://www.gcwilmington.org/about/