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Four Tips for Becoming a Floral Designer

Posted on October 18th, 2017

So you have a knack for arranging blooms. With a deep appreciation for flowers, floral design is a fun and exciting endeavor.

Many florists start their careers after years of daydreaming about venturing into the world of floral design. Florists are like miracle workers, bringing endless smiles and emotional well-being to recipients. It’s a no-brainer, if you love floral design, then become a florist!

Before starting your journey, there are a few things you should consider. Floral designing is an art, and however effortless a good florist makes their work appear, trust us when we say it is not. Even the hand-gathered whimsical bouquets that look like they were plucked from a garden are carefully constructed using the principles of floral design.

Floral design is about so much more than creatively arranging flowers. We want to be encouraging to newcomers to the floral world, but we also want to be helpful. Here are four tips to keep in mind as you work to become a professional floral designer.

Image from Shutterstock.com

1. Learn and Polish Your Floral Design Skills

It is always beneficial to study the art of floral design in a class setting, or learning directly from a mentor. There are so many facets to arranging blooms that it is impossible to be an expert right from the beginning. Besides floral design, you must be educated on prepping flowers and have a clear understanding of the basic principles of arranging flowers. Remember your floral arrangements are only as good as the care you take when prepping them—flowers are perishable and good prepping makes for long-lasting arrangements.

To learn more, consider:

  • Taking a floral class
  • Working with a mentor
  • Volunteering at a local flower shop
  • Getting comfortable with the sharp tools you will be using
  • Learning how to make ribbons and work with wire

Image from Shutterstock.com

2. Consider the Other Work Florists Do

By now you’re already aware that being a florist requires hard work. Besides prepping flowers, expect to lift heavy containers, spend long hours at work on your feet, and get few holidays off. Being a florist is rewarding, but there are a few other skills a good florist needs:

  • Time management is essential.
  • Good communication with your customers is a must.
  • Be flexible with your work schedule (you won’t be able to make other plans for floral holidays like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day).
  • Customer service skills—you will have some customers who are bereaved or going through turbulent times. The compassion and empathy you show them can make a world of difference.

Image from Shutterstock.com

3. Explore Your Floral Design Style

It’s important to develop a signature style. Although we discussed the basic principles of arranging flowers, expert florists have their own flair that distinguishes their arrangements from the next florist’s. Think about what your style lends itself to and work on crafting a unique style.

  • Be focused and pay attention to detail.
  • Be creative!
  • Perfect your skills, so you can make what you see in your mind’s eye a reality.
  • Appreciate different flowers and greens and understand how they are used.
  • Remember that you are an artist, the flowers and containers are your canvas.

Image from Shutterstock.com

4. Set Goals

So far we have discussed becoming a floral designer. However, you may already be working as a designer and have a higher goal, such as opening a flower shop, working from home on wedding and event florals, or find employment with a local flower shop. Whatever your floral design short-term or long-term goal is it is good to work towards that by networking through marketing and building relationships in your area.

  • If you are looking for floral design work at flower shop and consider yourself an expert, call around to local flower shops.
  • If you are a novice to floral design, look for employment as a helper and look for mentorship opportunities.

If your goal is to run your own floral business, think about how you’ll market your floral design business.

  • Consider your floral business name carefully
  • Purchase a domain name
  • Create business cards
  • Create a website so that you can start building your brand visibility on the internet
  • Start on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
  • Cultivate relationships with local business owners, funeral directors, bridal shops, restaurant owners, churches, etc.

 

Florists, do you have any advice for our readers aspiring to become floral designers? Please share your feedback, tips or any floral design-related questions in the comment section below.

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16 thoughts on “Four Tips for Becoming a Floral Designer”

  1. Theresa says:

    The best thing anyone can do for themselves is study the elements and principles of design. You will learn and grow as a designer. Great article!

  2. VASO says:

    Great Article. Thank You.

  3. Educating yourself on marketing and branding yourself online will always be very beneficial. If anyone would like to share ideas on marketing their flower shop, I am open for networking!

  4. I wanted to thank you for all the important information listed here on becoming a floral designer. I like that you took the time to mention how floral design is an art and everything that you design and put together is not just by chance. My daughter loves flowers and I have been trying to get her to take some floral design classes at her school — I will show her this. Thanks again!

  5. Evans Parker says:

    Thanks for sharing this useful information. Florists will need to know about the size, color and lifespan of different kinds of flowers. The best line you have mentioned is Explore Your Floral Design Style. It all depends on a florist creativity.

  6. I like your post which is really very informative and helpful for every floral designer. You have briefly described the floral arrangement and it is helpful to me. Thank you!

  7. Your article is so informative to help a person who wants to start carrier as a florist. In the first paragraph, the basic steps you pointed is very useful. Thanks for sharing this blog.

  8. Great! I like your blog which is very beneficial for a florist. I am the owner of Flower Delivery Bell Gardens in CA and I definitely follow these steps for my floral business. Thank you keeps sharing!

  9. Nice Blog, basic step you mentioned above is very useful for a person who is thinking to start his/her carrier in floral design. Designers must know the average size of each flower and the different color varieties, and they must be able to communicate to their customers how to care for each variety of flower or plant. As a florist, I will try this steps.

  10. Cynthia Coley-Stokes says:

    Finally had an Ah-Ha moment and think I have finally found my business with floral. Thank you for your information, it has given me a starting point?

  11. Edna says:

    Very insightful and important i am already applying them. I need to explore my personal style.

  12. Great article. I have worked at several floral shops and lightly did my own silk floral business, but I didn’t know how to market or price my products. I now know how to market myself and have several contacts but I’m still dealing with the pricing of my products. I’m still going to be doing silk arrangements but if desired I can do fresh florals too. Any advice on pricing will be very helpful. Thank you!

  13. Lyubov Yakhnina says:

    Inspirational.. Looking to start a new career in floral business. Thank you for tips and information!

  14. Michael Simons says:

    Excited this is a new adventure. Finaly after being a electrichen for 30 years I can indulge my creative juices. This helps me figure out where to start.

  15. Karen Tapley says:

    Thank you for this blog! I’m exploring the industry and even though there seems to be a decline, after looking at the competition that is exploding and causing this decline(ie. grocery store and online ordering) I have a broader outlook on how a few changes may delete that possibility for my future company plus adding more that has never been offered. Thank you for the insight and groundbreaking information you’ve given me.

  16. oh Translate says:

    Great tips! I’ll definitely keep these in mind when starting my floral business. Thanks for sharing!

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