Cómo convertirse en diseñador floral en Michigan

Are you drawn to the world of plants? Have you thought about turning that passion into a profession? An appreciation for plant life and creativity could open the door to a career as a floral designer.

To do this, it’s important to be attentive to your customers’ needs. People like to have floral arrangements for all kinds of life events, from weddings to funerals, to celebrate or to say goodbye. Knowing what kind of floral arrangements make sense for each occasion is an added advantage. Also consider flower species that pair well together for visual appeal, along with the lifespan of each species. These details will help you communicate with customers’ feelings and needs.

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Requirements to become a floral designer in Michigan

There are no national or state standards for floral designers. You will be eligible to work as a floral designer with a high school diploma or GED, and some employers may not require either. However, as with most careers, the more training and experience you have, the easier it will be to find employment and advance within the profession.

If you choose to enroll in a post-secondary training program, your education options will include community colleges, universities, and local or regional organizations dedicated specifically to floral design education. Diplomas and certificates awarded by these institutions can usually be completed in less than a year, while associate degree options will take around two years to complete.

National and state certification options are available to aspiring florists in Michigan, but most employers simply require six months or more of experience in the trade. These certification options will be especially beneficial to those interested in working as an independent florist, as they allow you to market yourself with an official title, such as Certified Florist (CF) or Certified Floral Designer (CFD). It’s also possible that these certifications could lead to higher salaries in retail settings.

If you choose not to enroll in a post-secondary training program, you can work your way up by completing internships or apprenticing with local floral designers. If you choose to learn from someone who knows the trade well, you’ll improve your skills and increase your opportunities. Many states have family-owned floral shops or small businesses willing to give the ambitious newbie a chance. Contact them, express your interest, and find out if they’ll let you job shadow to learn the tricks of the trade.

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Michigan Schools for Floral Designers

Taking courses in floral design will allow you to learn more about the trade and expand your opportunities. To do so, enroll in one of the following training programs:

Macomb Community College offers a certificate program in floral design that takes less than a year to complete. Students will learn the emotional messages conveyed through different colors, techniques for attaching bouquets and buttonholes, traditional floral arranging styles, and more. Students not seeking a certificate can enroll in each class individually as continuing education courses. The total cost of the eight core classes required to earn this certificate is approximately $2,348.
Michigan Floral Association offers introductory and intermediate-level courses in floral design. Students have the option of completing these courses in one week, with classes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, or in 12 weeks, with classes once a week from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuition is $1,250 for the introductory program and $1,500 for the intermediate program.
Floral Career Academy ofrece cursos de nivel principiante y avanzado en diseño floral. Cada nivel consta de ocho clases de dos horas de duración cada una. La matrícula para los cursos para principiantes es de $400, mientras que la serie avanzada costará $600. Hay cursos diurnos, nocturnos y de fin de semana disponibles.

Certificación Nacional para Diseñadores Florales en Michigan

El American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) es la organización que supervisa el proceso de examen para la credencial CFD. La mayoría de los empleadores no requerirán esta credencial, pero es bueno tenerla, especialmente si no planea trabajar para una tienda de flores, pero quiere hacer diseño floral de forma independiente. Esta certificación también puede ser de interés para los floristas aspirantes que eligen no completar un programa de educación postsecundaria.

Para rendir el examen AIFD CFD, deberá realizar una de las siguientes acciones:

Asista y complete con éxito los programas educativos de diseño floral apropiados en un centro educativo asociado de AIFD, la Asociación Floral Estatal aprobada o el Sección de SAIFD (Sección de estudiantes de AIFD) y luego apruebe la prueba en línea de Evaluación de diseño floral professional (PFDE).
Participe en la prueba en línea PFDE y en la evaluación práctica del diseño.

La finalización de cualquiera de las opciones anteriores permitirá a los floristas recibir un pin CFD, un certificado CFD y una lista en los directorios impresos y en línea de AIFD.

El único programa educativo de diseño floral aprobado por AIFD en Michigan se ofrece a través de la Asociación Floral de Michigan (MFA), que se incluye en la lista de escuelas anterior. Si elige convertirse en un CFD al completar un programa de capacitación aprobado por AIFD, su instructor deberá otorgar la aprobación y enviar su información al AIFD. Luego completará una solicitud de CFD y enviará una tarifa de certificación de $124. Por último, deberá aprobar la prueba en línea con una puntuación del 80 por ciento o más.

Si no ha completado un programa de capacitación aprobado por AIFD, puede convertirse en CFD participando en la prueba en línea PFDE y la evaluación práctica de diseño. Para ello, primero debe pagar una cuota de inscripción de $150. Luego deberá pagar la tarifa PFDE, que es de $ 1550.

Para mantener su estatus como CFD, deberá pagar una tarifa anual de $124 antes del 1 de mayo de cada año. También debe completar al menos 25 Unidades de Educación Continua (CEU) y enviar un formulario de renovación cada tres años. Los CEU se pueden obtener asistiendo a talleres prácticos de AIFD, convenciones estatales, presentaciones públicas y más.

The MFA also offers a CF credential , which can be earned by passing the exam. When you pass, you’ll receive a certificate as well as marketing materials including pins, door decals, artwork for ad designs, and more. To sit for this exam you’ll need to purchase a registration package, which costs around $600 and covers testing fees, the CF handbook, and the study guide.

Salary Outlook and Expectations

Data from The Projections Managing Partnership (PMP) reports that there were 1,460 floral designers working in Michigan during 2016. The same data indicates that there are projected to be 1,340 florists working in the state by 2026, which is a decrease of 8.2 percent over the ten-year period from 2016 to 2026.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that Michigan florists earned an average of $12.88 per hour in 2017, which equates to $26,800 per year. The highest-paid floral designers in this state earned $37,680 during the same year.

Working as a Floral Designer in Michigan

The job market for floral designers is expected to experience a six percent decline nationwide by 2026, according to BLS data.

If you want to become a floral designer, you’ll need to develop your creativity. Much of the decline in this career field can be attributed to the growth of online florists, which may indicate better opportunities for florists who set up independent businesses and work online.

Floral designers in Michigan earn the most in cities like Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield, and Waterford. You’ll find employment in the floral section of grocery stores, retail stores, or in your own business if that’s the case. You’ll often have to work face-to-face with clients who are in different emotional states, and you may occasionally be required to work outdoors when picking flowers. If you’re creative, stylish, have a passion for plant life, and a willingness to devote your time and energy to working with your hands, floral design may be the right choice for you.