How to Become a Floral Designer

If you are creative, like to work in a garden, and enjoy design, you might like to become a floral designer.

A floral designer is an expert in placing cut flowers into decorative arrangements.

A floral designer usually works with fresh flowers, but they may also use silk or dried flowers.

Their work might be given as a gift, used at a wedding or funeral, or for decorative purposes at an event.

While there is not a lot of growth in this field, there are plenty of job opportunities.

This is mostly due to the high amount of turnover caused by the low wages paid.

When you become a floral designer, you will need to be ready to work long hours, particularly on weekends and holidays, as these are the busiest times.

A floral designer is also known as a florist.

Education Requirements to Become a Floral Designer

Working as a floral designer is one of the only roles within the design industry that does not require any training after high school.

If you would like to become a floral designer the best way is to get a trainee position at a florist shop, where you will be taught the trade on the job.

Completing your high school diploma will give you the best opportunities to get that initial training as a floral designer.

Employers will look for potential florists that show creativity and commitment.

To help get the job, you should try and show these qualities in yourself.

If you have done art or design work at school, take some photos and include them with your resume.

While it isn’t essential, you can also complete a course in floral design.

These programs are run by private schools, vocational schools, and community colleges.

Programs last anywhere from a few days to a year, and teach a range of skills, from types of flowers to design principles.

Floral Designer Job Description

When you become a floral designer you will usually be employed within a florist’s shop.

Your role will be to prepare flowers arrangements for all types of purposes.

Some flowers may be for gifts.

Season occasions such as Valentine’s Day will call for different types of arrangements.

When you become a floral designer you will also need to fill larger orders for weddings and funerals.

You could also be contracted to provide decorative floral arrangements for events or functions.

Your day as a florist will begin with preparing any existing orders for a collection that day.

Each day most florist shops will prepare a certain amount of floral arrangements for the floor, which may be purchased by customers throughout the day.

You’ll also take phone orders, and work a register as the day progresses.

Here are some of the tasks of a floral designer:

• Taking phone orders
• Communicating with customers
• Communicating with suppliers
• Ordering flowers and supplies
• Filling orders for events
• Keeping up to date with new trends and styles

Floral Designer Salary and Career Path

When you become a floral designer, you’ll usually start as a trainee in a florist’s shop.

After a few months of training, you’ll have learned enough to work independently.

After a few years of work, many floral designers go on to run their own businesses.

As the salary is usually fairly low for an employee, those who own their own business will have the greatest opportunity to make a higher wage.

Many floral designers go on to work in related industries, such as fashion or interior design.

In these fields, they can apply the design techniques they learned as a floral designer.

The median salary for a floral designer is $23,000 a year.

The median 50% of florists earn between $18,000 and $29,000 a year.

Some similar roles to that of a floral designer include:

• Interior Decorator
• Interior Designer
• Fashion Designer
• Painter
• Sculptor

Working as a floral designer will prove rewarding if you enjoy design and are interested in floristry.

However, the low wages for this career as well as the limited scope for advancement mean that many people leave the industry after a few years of employment.

When you become a floral designer you have a unique opportunity to be a part of some of the most important events in people’s lives.

The below information is based on the 2021 BLS national averages.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

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Jamie Willis

Career Specialist at Becomeopedia

Hi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.

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