Floral Designers, commonly called Florists, assemble and fashion live, cut, dried and artificial floral and foliar (means having some relationship to leaves). A florist could create a foliar arrangement using a variety of green arrangements such as corsages, wreaths, table centerpieces, and bouquets for a variety of occasions including weddings, anniversaries, parties, funerals, and holidays. Floral Designers know the history and meaning of flowers and how to keep them fresh.

Job Duties 

Floral Designers may:

Advise customers on the care of plants and flowers

Talk with customers regarding price and type of arrangement

Plan the arrangement and choose the floral and foliage

Trim material and arrange bouquets, sprays, wreathes, dish gardens, terrariums, and other items

Pack and wrap completed arrangements

Decorate store windows for displays, buildings, churches, halls, or other facilities where events are planned

Keep simple records, handle messages, and take orders

Sell items such as plant food and gardening books, ribbon and trims, and containers for plants and flowers

Some Floral Designers help plan and maintain interior landscapes for hotels, offices, and other large spaces. They use plants and potted shrubs and trees or fresh flowers. During the holidays, they trim Christmas trees and decorate private homes.

In small florist shops, the Floral Designer may substitute for the manager, at least part of the time, and may handle some of the book work. In any shop, the Designer must be able to keep simple records, handle messages, and take orders.

The equipment, tools, and material may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Floral Designers may specialize in these areas:

142.081-010 FLORAL DESIGNERS assemble and fashion live, cut, dried, and artificial floral and foliar arrangements such as corsages, wreathes, and bouquets for a variety of occasions including weddings, anniversaries, balls, funerals, and holidays.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Supervision of Floral Designers varies with the shop. In large shops with a staff of Designers, the head Designer or the shop manager directs the work. In small shops, the employer may check every detail of the Designer's work while another may allow the Designer to assume complete responsibility.

Most work for retail florist shops which are quiet, pleasant in atmosphere, clean and well ventilated. Temperatures may vary from very cool in refrigerated storage rooms to hot and humid in greenhouses. People with allergies should be careful since some flowers and plants may cause allergic reactions. They might receive minor cuts from knives or thorns. Designers are exposed to sudden temperature changes when entering or leaving storage refrigerators. They may sit or stand while working.

Designers may visit churches, banquet halls, or other places to give advise on the choice and use of flowers.

In small shops, Floral Designers usually work 8 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. In many large shops, Designers who work Saturday get a day off during the week. Most Floral Designers may have to work overtime at holiday times.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities requiring a creative imagination

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities bringing satisfaction from seeing the results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Interpret feelings, ideas, or facts

• Recognize likenesses and differences in colors and shades

• Make decisions based on your five senses

• Work under pressure (design arrangements in short periods of time)

• Follow instructions accurately

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

You are asked to create an arrangement that will center nicely on a square table that is 3 feet long and 3 feet wide. How big is the arrangement?

Reading Example You Should Be Able To Read And Comprehend:

When an order for an arrangement is given to you on paper, you need to be able to understand it in order to create the arrangement successfully.

Writing Example You Should Be Able To Produce:

Record accurately what is used with each order for inventory purposes.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

A customer comes to you and wants you to create a floral arrangement to match the sample of wallpaper she has. You need to be able to imagine the room, colors, and any other factors necessary to satisfy the customer.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE ,  0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

003 HORTICULTURE

Approved vocational education programs in Horticulture prepare students to produce, process, and sell flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees which are used mainly for ornamental purposes. Programs include the study or machinery and equipment used in a Horticultural business such as an arboretum, greenhouse, or nursery.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

064 FLORAL DESIGN

Programs in Floral Design provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills used to design contemporary floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and other occasions using modern techniques and materials. Students may work with fresh flowers and greens as well as dried and artificial materials. In addition, training in floral trends and business practices increases the potential for success in a highly competitive business.

Courses may vary from school to school but may include:

               Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan , they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time work may be available in florist shops, especially around holiday times. However, overwhelming demands for floral arrangements at these busy times may leave little time for on-the-job training. Helpful skills may be developed also through drawing and sketching, molding objects from clay, and making displays for school or church exhibits. Secondary vocational education programs in horticulture and postsecondary programs in floral design may offer co-op job opportunities for experience.

The most common method is by direct application to florist shops and other employers. Assistance may be obtained through school placement offices or a local office of Michigan Works!. Positions may be found in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Floral Designers vary widely and depend on levels of skill, geographic area, and employer. Apprentice florists seldom earn more than the minimum hourly wage. Floral Designers with some formal education working in large florist centers earn more than the average. Some Designers work on contract for clients such as hotels, restaurants, museums, and the print media.

Average, hourly wage rates (1997) for Floral Designers and other floral occupations varied, depending on geographic area and amount of experience:

Most Floral Designers receive paid holidays and vacations. Because most florist shops are small, other benefits are limited. Some employers pay part of the cost of life and health insurance, but few contribute to retirement plans other than social security.

Most Floral Designers learn by working with an experienced Floral Designer. A person can usually become a fully qualified Floral Designer after 2 years of on-the-job training. Most Floral Designers have limited advancement possibilities. Advancement generally comes in the form of salary increases. Floral Designers with business knowledge and the necessary capital may open their own retail floral shop.

Floral Designers may also become experts in interior landscaping for shopping malls and other large spaces, specialists in the design of large floral arrangements for parade floats or sport shows, or teachers in floral art schools.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were at least 27,000 floral shops in the United States . It is estimated by one 1997 national survey that there are 5.16 employees per shop in the United States , which would equal approximately 140,000 workers in this industry. The exact number of Florists, however is not known. many florists work out of their homes and do not have shops.

The cultivation and sale of flowers and ornamental plants is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many people are interested in buying and giving flower arrangements and plants. Floral sales are increasing in discount and grocery stores as opposed to traditional florist shops.

There are about 2,975 Floral Designers employed in Michigan . Most were employed in retail florist shops. Some worked in wholesale florist outlets, greenhouses, nurseries, and artificial flower shops.

Employment of designers, including Floral Designers, in Michigan is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 140 annual openings is expected with 100 due to growth and 40 due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur to replace Workers who change jobs or occupations.

The character of the Floral Industry is changing in Michigan . Although the sales of flowers in increasing, some tradition florist shops are going out of business because of competition from mass merchandizing in discount stores, grocery store and general merchandise store where convenience is a factor. Business knowledge along with artistic/design skills must be combined for success in the floral business. Owners might consider having a partner with a strong business orientation.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Floral Designer can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development