Fresh off the Beaten Path: Floral Design

Published on 2008-05-13

Love flowers and have a flair for design? Trying to find jobs that appeal to your fondness for nature and art? Take a break from your job browsing and consider, for a moment, a career in floral design.

Floral Design: What Exactly Is It?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Floral designers, or florists, cut live, dried, or silk flowers and other greenery and arrange them into displays of various sizes and shapes. These workers design these displays by selecting flowers, containers, and ribbons and arranging them into bouquets, corsages, centerpieces for tables, wreaths, and the like for weddings, funerals, holidays, and other special occasions. Some floral designers also use accessories such as balloons, candles, toys, candy, and gift baskets as part of their displays."

Personality Profile: Is Floral Design Right for Me?

Floral designers (FD) are passionate about flowers. In fact, many have such a strong love of nature and botany that they may also pursue various agriculture jobs during their career journeys. FDs are extremely creative and attentive to detail. Possessing the discriminating eye for balance, color and form requisite in the creation of visually pleasing tableaus, the typical FD also tends to find interior design jobs appealing. But unlike home accessories and furniture, flowers are perishable, and therefore, manually dexterous FDs must be able to create visual masterpieces quickly. They must also be self-disciplined, efficient planners who work well under pressure and can adapt with alacrity to ever-changing orders; variable crops; often incompliant, living media; and constantly fluctuating industry trends. The FD must be allergy-free and have the physical stamina needed for standing, cutting and arranging for long days, nights, weekends and holidays. FDs can effectively communicate their ideas verbally as well as visually, enjoy interacting with people and often have a sharp acumen for business matters.

Education, Training and Experience: How Do I Become a Floral Designer?

According to the BLS, floral design, unlike other art design jobs, does not require formal training. As with many occupations, floral design skills are often acquired via internships. However, some community and technical colleges as well as private design schools offer FD certification through coursework in subjects such as floral taxonomy, principles of arrangement and cutting techniques. The American Institute of Floral Designers also offers an accreditation exam.

Some FDs may earn bachelor's degrees in floriculture, horticulture or floral design; the requisite courses typically cover botany, chemistry, hydrology and soil management and provide the foundation required for many other jobs in science. Additionally, business-related coursework is also recommended for budding designers aiming to run their own businesses.

Floral Design: Where Would I Work?

FDs typically work for or own independent floral shops sometimes specializing in gifts and consultation services for private homeowners and clients in the interior design, hospitality or event coordination industries. Other FDs may work for wholesale distribution companies, Internet-based floral businesses or grocers. FDs interested in teaching jobs may also offer workshops and classes. Because the need for floral art spans the country, an aspiring designer exploring South Dakota jobs can find opportunities just as FDs who seek New Jersey, Illinois or Florida jobs will likely find options.

The Future for Floral Design

The BLS states that "job opportunities should be good because of the relatively high replacement needs in retail florists." And although big businesses are encroaching on many independent floral stores, talented FDs who distinguish themselves with exceptional artistry and business/Internet-savvy services will continue to work.

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