Cómo convertirse en diseñador floral en Georgia

Floral designers prepare displays and arrangements using fresh and silk flowers. They may work in a large retail store, supermarket, or smaller flower shop. They might even have their own business. They decorate venues for events such as anniversary parties or weddings. They may also be asked to arrange funeral arrangements.

Most floral arrangements are made for emotional events, so it is important for floral designers to possess excellent listening and communication skills in order to meet the client’s needs as appropriate to the occasion. Floral designers must also display a certain level of creativity. The client can specify exactly what they want, but as a floral designer it is wise to add your own creative flair. Floral designers must also be able to distinguish between different types of flowers and their characteristics, as well as know which ones are in season at the time and which colors and flowers work well together.

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Requirements to become a floral designer in Georgia

Floral design is not regulated at the national or state level. Most floral designers can find employment with only a high school diploma or its equivalent. You can most likely do entry-level work as a floral designer with only a high school diploma, but pursuing a post-secondary training program will increase your knowledge and skills in the workforce.

Many employers prefer to hire floral designers who have some experience. You may want to consider doing some freelance work at first for friends and family to build your portfolio. Getting certified is also an option to consider. Certification is not required, but employers are more likely to hire someone who has it, even if they have very little work experience. In Georgia, you can earn both state and national certification.

Certification for floral designers in Georgia

Georgia is one of the few states that offers a state floral designer certification in addition to the national certification. The Georgia Master Florist (GMF) course is offered through the Georgia State Florists Association and is divided into three parts: Design Production, Design Management, and Customer Service. The course consists of nine online classes, one practical instructional class, and one final class. If you do not wish to pursue the GMF certification but are interested in pursuing some of the courses individually for learning or continuing education purposes, you may do so as well. There is a separate fee for each course as well as the practical class. To receive a certificate for completing the course, you must score at least 90 on the final exam and on each exam that follows the online courses.

The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) regulates national certification for floral designers. National certification is not required to work in Georgia, but certification can help you get hired if you have no work experience or are self-employed. You can also earn more if you do. There are two ways to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD):

Complete a floral design education program at an AIFD-approved school or State Floral Association and pass the online Professional Floral Design Assessment (PFDE) test.
Take the online PFDE test and the attached design assessment.

When you complete one of them, you will earn a certificate and a pin entitling you as a CFD. You will also be listed in AIFD’s print and online directories.
There are currently no schools in Georgia that offer AIFD-approved floral design education programs. However, the GMF course offered through the Georgia State Florists Association is AIFD-approved. You can complete this program and then pursue the PFDE, or you can just pursue the PFDE. A passing percentage of 80 percent is required for certification.

To maintain your CFD certification, you must pay an annual fee and complete 25 continuing education credits every three years. You can do this through workshops or classes or by attending floral design conventions.

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Georgia Schools for Floral Designers

If you are serious about floral design and want to improve your skills, or have plans to become self-employed or open your own shop, consider one of these training programs:

Halls Atlanta Floral Design School. Halls Atlanta Floral Design School offers a three-week class session of three days a week and single-day classes. All classes are first-come, first-serve and limited to 10 students each term. The course fee includes everything you need and you keep all materials. Students must attend at least 30 hours of the three-week classes to receive a certificate. Single-day classes focus more on one topic, while three-week classes cover a broad range of design tips and techniques.
Albany Technical College. At Albany Technical College, you can enroll in a floral assistant certificate program. Basic skills such as plant identification and basic floral design are taught. Twelve credits are required for the certificate. To be admitted into the program, students must have a high school diploma or GED and pass grammar, reading, and math skills.
Penn Foster Career School. Offers an online program in floral design that can be completed in as little as five months, but because it’s online you can work at your own pace. Floral design concepts and skills are taught through video lectures and students will make sample arrangements at home. The program costs $639 and a tuition payment plan is available.

Career prospects and salary expectations

The Projections Managing Partnership (PMP) states that there were 1,410 floral designers working in the state of Georgia in 2016. The number of floral designers in the state is expected to experience a decline of 11.6 percent by 2026.

Floral designers in Georgia earned an average of $12.65 per hour in 2017, or $26,300 per year. Pay will vary based on education and experience level and location. Floral designers in Atlanta averaged $26,590 per year, while those in Savannah averaged $27,130. The top 10 percent of floral designers in the state earned as much as $36,030 in 2017.

Working as a floral designer in Georgia

Although there is expected to be a decline in the job market for floral designers in Georgia, you shouldn’t be discouraged if it’s a career you enjoy. There will always be weddings and parties to decorate, especially in larger cities like Atlanta, Columbus, and Savannah. Consider freelancing if you can’t find a job at a grocery store or flower shop right away. Create a portfolio to showcase your work. The cities of Atlanta and Roswell have the highest concentration of jobs within the state, but there are plenty of options to consider in Georgia.

If you are interested in working with flowers and can devote some time to training, you may be able to find work as a florist in less than a year.