Do you love flowers? Do you have an eye for color and arrangement? Are you creative? If so, you may have a future as a floral designer.

Designers of all types are people with a desire to create. They combine practical knowledge with artistic ability to turn abstract ideas into formal designs for the merchandise we buy, the clothes we wear, and the flowers that decorate our homes and offices. Floral designers consult with customers and clients to find or design floral arrangements that will be attractive and fill the needs of almost any occasion, from weddings to proms to funerals. 

Floral designers cut and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage into designs, according to the customer’s order. They design arrangements by trimming flowers and arranging
bouquets, sprays, wreaths, dish gardens, and terrariums. They
may either meet with customers to discuss the arrangement or
work from a written order. Floral designers make note of the
occasion, the customer’s preference with regard to the color and
type of flower involved, the price of the completed order, the
time at which the floral arrangement or plant is to be ready, and
the place to which it is to be delivered.

The variety of duties performed by floral designers depends on the size of the shop and the number of designers employed. In a small operation, floral designers may own their shops and do almost everything, from growing and purchasing flowers to keeping financial records. Some floral designers are self-employed and design for individual clients, such as wedding planners or funerals homes. Other floral designers work for supermarkets or department stores, and work closely with the public in a retail setting. 

Floral designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their creations. Designers who run their own businesses also may
devote a considerable amount of time to developing new business contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and performing administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples.

Floral designers combine artistic talent with research on the use of flowers and other decorative plants, on customer needs, and on marketing, materials, and production methods to create the most functional and appealing design that will be competitive with others in the marketplace.


Working Conditions

Working conditions and places of employment vary. Floral designers employed by supermarkets or large retail florists generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings. Designers who own and operate their own floral shop, or who freelance, generally work on a contract, or job, basis. They frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients’ schedules and deadlines, meeting with the clients during evening or weekend hours when necessary. The retail floral business is somewhat seasonal, with greater demand around holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Floral designers generally work regular hours in a pleasant work environment, but holiday, wedding, and funeral orders often require overtime.

Floral designers who are self employed tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments. They may transact business in their own offices or shops, or in clients’ homes or offices. They also may travel to other locations, such as showrooms, design centers, wedding chapels, funeral homes, and other facilities. Floral designers who are paid by the assignment are under pressure to please clients and to find new ones in order to maintain a steady income. All designers sometimes face frustration when their designs are rejected or when their work is not as creative as they wish.


Training and other qualifications

Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this
field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color
and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Floral designers also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

A college degree is not required for most entry-level positions in floral design. Esthetic ability is important in floral design and visual merchandising, but formal preparation typically is not necessary. Most floral designers learn their skills on the job. When employers hire trainees, they generally look for high school graduates who have a flair for arranging and a desire to learn. The completion of formal design training, however, is an asset for floral designers, particularly those interested in advancing to chief floral designer or in opening their own businesses.

Vocational and technical schools offer programs in floral design,
usually lasting less than a year, while 2- and 4-year programs in
floriculture, horticulture, floral design, or ornamental horticulture are offered by community and junior colleges, colleges, and universities. The American Institute of Floral Designers offers an accreditation examination to its members as an indication of professional achievement in floral design.

Individuals in the design field must be creative, imaginative,
and persistent and must be able to communicate their ideas in
writing, visually, and verbally. Because tastes in style and fashion can change quickly, designers need to be well read, open to new ideas and influences, and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under pressure are important traits. People in this field need self-discipline to start projects on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules.

Good business sense and sales ability also are important, especially for those who freelance or run their own business.
Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and
normally need 1 to 3 years of training before they can advance
to higher level positions. Experienced floral designers in large firms may advance to chief designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions. Some designers leave the occupation to become teachers in design schools or in colleges and universities.



Employment Outlook

There were about 230,000 floral designers employed in the US in 2004. About one third of those were self-employed. Floral designers tend to be concentrated in retail florists or floral departments of grocery stores.

Overall employment of floral designers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012 as the economy expands and consumers, businesses, and manufacturers continue to rely on the services provided by designers. New jobs for floral designers are expected to stem mostly from the relatively high replacement needs in retail florists that result from comparatively low starting pay and limited opportunities for advancement in some companies.


Related Occupations

Workers in other occupations who design or arrange objects,
materials, or interiors to enhance their appearance and function
include artists and related workers; architects, except landscape
and naval; engineers; landscape architects; and photographers.
Some computer-related occupations, including computer software engineers and desktop publishers, require design skills.

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