How to Become a Floral Designer in New York
Floral designer careers are perfect for those who enjoy gardening, have an eye for color and design, or just want to use their creative skills to earn a living.
Aspiring floral designers in N.Y. can receive on-the-job training or enroll in a New York trade school to learn how to make stunning floral arrangements for all occasions.
Education & Training
Wondering how to become a floral designer in New York? Many people start by finding work at a local flower shop and receiving on-the-job training from an experienced florist.
Hands-On Training
Entry-level employees gain hands-on experience as they learn how to store and care for different plants, interact with customers, and create arrangements under the head floral designer’s supervision.
Attending a Training Program
Since it can take several years to work your way up from entry-level apprentice to head floral designer, some people choose to enroll in a floral designer training program and earn their certification in less than a year.
Those who complete an accredited trade school or community college course might also have an easier time finding well-paying floral designer jobs in New York.
Floral Design Schools
Floral design schools typically teach students how to identify, care for, and handle various flowers and plants.
Aspiring florists also learn standard design principles that will help them create flower arrangements and may even receive training on specific floral design styles and techniques that industry professionals use.
In-Person Coursework
While some people prefer to complete their floral design degree or certificate online, attending classes in person is a smart way to gain additional experience that could benefit you in a floral design career.
During these hands-on courses, you can become familiar with the different tools you need to use when designing flower arrangements and practice the design methods you learned in class.
Additional Skills Learned
A floral design program might also include lessons on communication and customer service to help students develop the skills they need to talk to clients and collaborate with coworkers.
Those hoping to become self-employed florists might also consider taking some business courses so they can eventually open their own flower shops.
New York Floral Designer Requirements
To become a floral designer in New York, all you need is a high school diploma or GED and enough experience to qualify for a job in the industry.
Certified Floral Designer Credentials
Although an official license or certification is optional, those who obtain a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) credential might be able to work for high-end clients and earn higher salaries than non-certified florists. Most people earn their florist license through the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
Professional Floral Design Evaluation
If you choose a trade school or community college that partners with the AIFD organization, you may be able to take the Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) exam and earn your certification once you graduate from your program.
Entering Competitions
Organizations like the AIFD or the Society of American Florists (SAF) might also host competitions and symposiums where aspiring designers can submit flower arrangements for judging.
Those who score well can receive recommendations for SAF or AIFD membership and fee waivers for taking the PFDE and obtaining an official floral designer license.
Salaries in New York
The average floral designer salary in New York is about $37,414 per year. However, those with more experience, education, and official credentials can often earn closer to $40k or even $50k annually.
Depending on what region of New York you live in, your starting floral designer salary might be as follows:
New York City $39,228
Albany $36,639
Long Island $38,620
Rochester $35,000
Syracuse $36,989
Job Description
A floral designer career involves creating beautiful works of art using flowers, plants, and other greenery. Depending on the time of year, florists may spend the majority of their workday making several decorative displays and arrangements.
Preparing Floral Designs
Floral designers may prepare everything from small flower crowns and bouquets to towering centerpieces and plant walls. Like other professionals in the art and design industry, florists need to understand fundamental design principles like color theory, proportion, scale, harmony, and balance to ensure the arrangements they create are beautiful, evocative, structurally sound, and stable.
Additional Skills
A florist should also know what values, characteristics, or ideals various flowers represent. Some plants symbolize gratitude, joy, friendship, or love, while others express sorrow, mourning, or sympathy.
Customers often choose flowers based on these themes, so knowing these details can help you recommend blooms that evoke whatever emotion the client wants to convey.
Continued Learning
In addition to having the proper skills to create dazzling flower arrangements, floral designers need to continually educate themselves on the latest developments in the flower industry.
Staying informed about new horticulture methods, design trends, and flower arrangement techniques can give florists an advantage over the competition and help them provide the best possible products for their customers.
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will likely be a decline in demand for floral designers in the U.S. over the next decade. Even so, experts predict that roughly 3,800 florist job openings per year will become available between 2021 and 2031. Floral designers with the proper training and credentials can take advantage of these employment opportunities or go into business for themselves.
More information about floral design schools.