Art, Design & Media
Floral Design
Program Summary
Floral design is the art of using flowers and other materials found in nature (or silk facsimiles) to create a pleasing and balanced composition for the enjoyment of people in their homes, professional settings, and for special occasions. The art of floral design also includes making wreaths, floral bows, garlands, etc.
This art is arguably as old as mankind as Ancient Egyptians already featured refined floristry. While the craft of floral design is a popular expression of personal creativity, it is also an essential component of the hospitality industry. From the six foot tall floral masterpieces in the lobbies of major hotels and casinos to the dainty bed-side arrangements in quaint bed-and-breakfasts, floral design often sets the tone in an environment. Today, many grocery stores are adding full service floral departments, making flowers more accessible to the general public.
Students pursuing careers in floral design should also take business classes. Floral designers often have a hand in running the business, especially in a small shop. Students would also benefit from taking courses in earth science and biology in order to learn “the basics” about flowers, trees, and plants, among other natural materials.
Employment Trends
- The outlook for jobs in floral design is very good. Most cities already have small flower shops and most grocery stores also have floral departments.
- Turnover rates in this profession are high, so getting a start in floral design may be easier than in other design careers. Selecting a niche specialty that highlights an individual’s specific talents can help to make a design career more profitable.
- Opportunities are available in both storefront shops and in-home studios which lends flexibility to the career as well as the potential for growth.
- As more stores sell flowers, sending flowers to mark an occasion is likely to become more common. In addition, many flowers are imported from other countries, which keeps the cost of flowers down. More people are likely to buy flowers when prices are low.
- Though a love of flowers and an artist’s eye are essential, it’s equally important for a floral designer to have good people skills as it’s a “personal services” business.
Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- Coursework leading to award of a Continuing Education Certificate
- Skills development and preparation leading to an academic degree or professional credentialing program
| Crs # |
Course Name |
Hrs |
| OCU338 |
Basic Floral Design |
16 |
| OCU376 |
Advanced Floral Design |
16 |
| OCU334 |
Silk Flower Design I |
12 |
| OCU340 |
Silk Flower Design II |
12 |
| BUS303 |
Running an Independent Floral Design Practice |
3 |
| BUS365 |
Niche Marketing for Florists |
3 |
| |
Program Total |
62 |
- Should I takes classes for fresh or silk flowers -- or should I take both?
PGCC offers courses that uses both fresh and silk flowers – although many of the design techniques are the same. If you plan to work in a flower shop or run your own business, you’ll want experience in both. It really doesn’t matter which courses you take first. If you are a visual learner, you may decide to take the silk course first so you will have a floral piece to model from when you do future arrangements. While some techniques are taught in both fresh and silk flower courses, some skilld are unique to the media.
- If I already have experience in silk flower arranging, can I skip directly to the advanced levels?
That depends on your specific level of skill and experience. Please make an appointment with the program coordinator listed below to assess your skill level before registering for the course. Even if we recommend that you begin with the basic skills classes, every effort will be made to introduce you to some of the more technical skills so that you will be challenged by the program.
- Will I be able to get a job in the floral industry with this training?
While each floral shop has their own hiring standards and practices, we’re confident that the training and completion certificate that you’ve earned at PGCC will help you to qualify for an entry-level position – where you can continue your hands-on training.
How much will these courses cost?
In addition to the charges for tuition and registration established by and paid to the college, there will be materials fees, paid directly to the instructor. These fees are used to cover the expenses for the supplies you’ll need to complete the projects included in the course. Typically, there is general materials fee that the instructor will use to purchase wholesale material, such as wire, tape, floral foam, etc. There is also a floral fee for the flowers and containers to be used. These fees are paid to the instructor in advance so that the materials will be available for each class.
For example:
General materials fee -- $10
Floral fee for fresh flower courses -- $250
Floral fee for silk flower courses -- $190
While these charges are subject to change, they will be outlined in the Schedule of Classes so that you’ll know the exact cost of the entire program before you begin.
- What if I have to withdraw from the class because of illness or accident, will I get the remaining portion of the floral fee refunded?
Yes, provided that you can satisfactorily justify that you are too ill to return to the program or if you have been in an accident that incapacitates you for the remaining weeks of the program.
- If I can’t come to class, and it is too late to notify the instructor before the materials are purchased, can I have someone pick them up for me?
Yes. Since you have paid for the supplies, they belong to you. We encouage you to make arrangements to have someone pick them for you. The instructor will explain this policy at the first class.
- Who can I contact for more information?
Mary Anne Ryan, PGCC Program Coordinator
301-386-7545, mryan@pgcc.edu
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