Essential Information
Floral design courses are typically offered through certificates or associate's degree programs in floral design, horticulture or event planning. Courses are also available for individuals interested in studying floral arrangements for personal satisfaction. Some programs contain a practical component, such as an internship or student-operated floral shop. Common concepts covered in these courses include:
- Floral identification
- Care and handling of fresh cut foliage
- Design principles
- Merchandising and management
- Special occasion botanicals
List of Classes
Fundamentals of Floral Design
Introductory floral design classes teach students basic design principles, such as balance, proportion and harmony, while familiarizing them with the material and tools of floral design. Students explore the color wheel and discover color schemes while learning to identify and care for flowers. There are three distinct floral design traditions - American, Asian and European - and introductory floral design classes can focus on all three or cover just one.
Permanent Flower Design
Artificial flowers are sometimes used in place of live flowers, especially for people with pollen allergies or for those who don't want to replace flowers frequently. This floral design course provides practical applications for designs and allows for hands-on experience creating arrangements with artificial and preserved natural plant materials. Students learn how to use artificial flowers to create arrangements that look real.
Special Occasion Floral Design
Floral designs are used on many special occasions, including weddings and funerals. Special occasion floral design classes go over the dozens of designs used in these circumstances. Students learn traditional and modern designs, common trends and standard flowers used in different situations. They also learn how color and flower type can play a role in expressing different sentiments.
Wedding Floral Design
Wedding floral design classes provide students with experience in creating wedding-style boutonnieres, hairpieces, corsages and bridal bouquets. Students learn how to create fresh, artistic designs for wedding ceremonies and receptions by studying traditional designs. They also learn how to incorporate the desires of the couple or a wedding's theme into the floral arrangements. These floral design courses encourage students to develop their own ideas and provide hands-on experience in floral design.
Holiday Floral Design
Holiday-specific floral design courses teach students how to create floral designs for holidays, like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter and Independence Day. Students learn how to modify everyday designs for holidays. In addition to flowers, these designs incorporate pine cones, needles and other unique materials that are linked to common holidays. Through the course, students gain practical experience putting floral creations together.