Career Explorer > Career Details
| Floral Designer |
$21,860 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Marketing, Sales & Service | |
| General
Information: Floral designers are trained in the art of flower arranging and the principles of design and color. They create floral pieces from corsages to wedding bouquets, wreaths, sprays and funeral designs. |
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| Career
Information: Floral Designers work with all kinds of flowers, plants, containers, and other materials to make floral designs. They use their artistic creativity and talent along with their knowledge of design principles and the elements of color harmony and composition to create bouquets, sprays, wreaths, and corsages. They are familiar with all kinds of flowers, when they are in season, their uses, and their cost. In large flower shops or in shops that offer floral wire services through national and international firms, Floral Designers may do only floral design. These people work from written orders. Usually they use their own judgment on the choice of flowers and the kind of display to make. Floral Designers may also work in small shops where they are the owners or managers. As managers they are responsible for maintaining inventories, ordering flowers and supplies from wholesale florists, deal with customers and suppliers, and hire and direct employees. They take care of advertising and promotion activities and keep track of what the competition is doing and analyze products and policies to find ways to meet or beat the competition. Floral Designers may deal with one customer in the shop, or they may hold consultations with a group planning a wedding, party, or other event. They may visit a church, banquet hall, or other place to give advice on the choice and use of flowers. Some Floral Designers help plan interior landscapes for hotels, offices, or other large spaces. Floral Designers or Florists also advise customers on the care of plants and flowers. They sell containers for bouquets or plants, and they stock items such as plant food, ribbons and trims, gift cards, and gardening books. In some parts of the United States flower shop owners have greenhouses where they grow flowers and plants. Most, however, order those they need from wholesale florists. Some Floral Designers do not own, manage, or work in florist shops. They work on contract for clients such as hotels, restaurants, museums, and the media. |
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| Educational
Requirements: 2 year degree |
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| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Agriculture, horticulture, botany, biology, business and computers. |
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| Skills
Necessary: Interpersonal , Creative , Work independently , Detail Oriented , Presentational , Sales , Customer Service , Helps Others , Good Judgment |
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| Job
Availability: Steady Growth |
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| Location
of jobs: All United States |
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| Working
Conditions: Indoors working in shops or in a cooler. Flower shops are pleasant and clean, and have a pleasant aroma. Temperatures may range from very cool in refrigerated storage rooms to hot and humid in greenhouses. People with allergies should be aware that some flowers, plants, and designer materials may cause allergic reactions. Florists may stand or sit while designing. During the holiday seasons, when many people order flowers, floral designers often work long hours to meet deadlines. A sales staff usually deals with the public. Other florists, who also operate greenhouses or nurseries, have larger staff, each with specific duties. |
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| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agri-Entrepreneurship , Agriscience , CDE: Ag Communications , CDE: Ag Issues , CDE: Ag Mechanics , CDE:Agronomy , CDE: Floriculture , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Ownership/Entrepreneurship , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Placement , American Degree , Stars Over America , Proficiencies |
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| Related
Occupations: Accounting , Agriculture Business , Agriculture General , Retail , Sales |
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| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: 1stopweb.net , Actimax Learning, Inc. , American Cowboy , American-International Charolais Association , Animal Source texas inc. , Appendant Marketing Group , Asher Agency , ASLA , Brighton Agency , Dan Quinlan Grounds Maintenance L.L.C. , Farm Bureau Financial Services , Florida Indian River Groves , Hayden Marketing & Public Relations , In The Fied Magazine , Iowa State University , JBH Show Lambs , Knupp & Watson , MediaSauce , Rational Marketing , Rivers Agency , Steve , Superior Productions , TPMA , Willow Marketing |
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| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: Summer Student Intern , Advertising Sales Representative , Assistant Manager , Store Manager , Sales and Marketing Summer Internship |
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