Floral Design School If You Love Flowers

Floral Design School

Did you ever wonder where your local florist got his or her training? Some florists do take on apprentices, but increasingly people will attend a floral design school. Floral designers create floral arrangements for a variety of events using flowers and ornamental grasses in a variety of styles and shapes. You never really think about how many places depend on a floral designer.

Aside from birthday, anniversary, get well, and other arrangements, floral designers have weddings and funerals to create arrangements for. Many businesses employ florists to keep fresh arrangements or maintain potted plants at their offices. It’s a very creative field and because of the perishable nature of flowers and plants often requires very long hours in order to complete everything on time.

Formal training is not actually required for this profession, but many vocational schools, colleges and online programs offer classes in floral design. Time frames range from several weeks to a year. Floral designers may be accredited by the American Institute of Floral Designers by taking a two part exam. The first part is written covering floral terminology. The second part is a practical exam that takes about four hours. The designer must complete five arrangements within that time. The categories are wedding arrangements, funeral arrangements, table arrangements, wearable flowers, and an open category chosen by the applicant. A high school diploma is required to enroll in these courses. Most floral designers go on to open their own shops after a few years of working in the field. Other places that employ floral designers are grocery stores, lawn and garden stores, online florists, and some interior design firms.

There are schools of floral design in many states as well as online classes to prepare a person for accreditation. Another important aspect of attending school is learning how to run a business. You may not want to work for someone else forever and business courses will prepare you to run your own shop. Classes typically run three hours two or three times a week so it is possible to attend class and still work. This is also true for online classes. You can learn at your own pace.

If you are a creative person with a love for plants and flowers and a keen artistic eye, floral design may be the career for you. Work with a florist and check out some floral design schools in your area or study online. Who knows, in no time you could be working on one of those spectacular Rose Bowl floats.