Floral Design Online and At-Home Training Options

Floral design careers offer creative outlets for those who also enjoy planning, organization and routine. Online courses and training programs are available through private organizations and community colleges. Students learn the art of creating arrangements with form, structure, color, fragrance and height. Professional accrediting exams are offered through the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Online Floral Design Training

Individuals can participate in online floral design training through a program with multiple courses or a single course with multiple lessons. They traditionally learn about flowers and plants and then go on to study specific techniques for special occasions such as wedding bouquets or funeral arrangements. They also learn about business management styles, such as starting their own companies or learning to negotiate with vendors or customers when buying and pricing flowers. Training may result in a certificate or diploma; the American Institute of Floral Designers confers Certified Floral Designer certification on those who complete training and education and then prove their skills through both an exam and live demonstration.

Class Topics

Floral arrangements are not just seen as decorative objects, but as pieces of art. A main focus with all courses is the aesthetic appeal for arrangements. Lessons address shapes, colors, height, balance and scale. Students learn how to use live, faux and dried flowers to create varying aesthetic styles. Courses may also cover flowers as fashion accessories or aspects of interior decor. Common topics are:

• Wedding arrangements
• Wearable flowers
• Special occasion arrangements
• Holiday flowers
• Sympathy flowers
• Staging and props
• Floral business

Online Course Content Delivery

Students can complete coursework at night, during the weekends or on holidays. Some lessons are taught through video, while others rely on textbooks and other materials. Enrollment costs may or may not incorporate all supplies; for example, students may need to purchase their own live flowers to practice and complete arrangements. Participants may demonstrate their acumen by completing exams online or they may submit photos and evidence of their design skills. Some in-person participation, such as attending workshops, may be necessary.

Floral Designer Career Outlook

Median wages of floral designers totaled roughly $23,000 each year as of 2010-11, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). The same source stated that steady employee turnover keeps jobs available, and three percent job growth in the field from 2008-2018 was anticipated.