The Basic Floral Design Program is designed to provide the student with all of the training needed for an entry level position as a floral designer. The curriculum is frequently reviewed and updated by an advisory board of floral professionals to assure that current tools and products are being used and that the most up-to-date design styles and techniques as well as business methods are being taught.

DAY ONE

Orientation
Using the FDI Notebook
Basic Supplies and Equipment
Creating an artificial floral stem with floral tape
Round Bouquet with permenant flowers
Centerpiece with permanent flowers
Care and Handling of Fresh Flowers
Container Options
Assigned Reading

DAY TWO

Hands on cleaning of fresh flowers
Working with sturdy blossoms
Elements and Principles of Design
Flower Shop Tender Loving Care
A Shrub
Working with a floral knife
Round arrangement with fresh flowers
Centerpiece with fresh flowers
Pricing floral arrangements
Bow Tying using #3 ribbon
Review of Elements, Principles, and Pricing
Assigned Reading

DAY THREE

Color Theory and Trends
Asymmetrical arrangement - fresh flowers
Western line arrangement - fresh flowers
Working comfortably with the floral knife
Pricing of one sided designs
Flower ID Book – use and review
Assigned Reading to be completed by Friday

DAY FOUR

Review of major foliages available to floral designers – fill in support pages
Practice on bow tying skills
Baby novelty arrangement
Hospital rules and procedures
Mug arrangement
Review of Elements and Principles
Techniques for wiring flowers
Flower Guide Book Review – this will continue throughout the course

DAY FIVE

Floral wire services
Review design concepts for round, centerpiece, asymmetrical and symmetrical
Designing without foam in  a vase
Inflation and use of mylar and latex Balloons in floral design
Packaging of floral arrangements for delivery
Arranging flowers in a basket
Sales, order taking and customer service in the flower shop
Homework assignment – due on the last Monday of class
Assigned Reading

DAY SIX

Care and Handling review and new varieties
Week one summary quiz
Large symmetrical arrangement
Wiring flowers for strength and stability
Tying bows with #9 and #40 ribbon
Half funeral spray on easel
Discussion of full spray
Funeral design, sales, and service
Supplies used for designing large scale and sympathy arrangements
Delivery of a funeral arrangment delivery policies
Preparation of a funeral delivery

DAY SEVEN

Alternate funeral spray arrangements
Creating a casket arrangement
Wreaths,crosses, and other forms used in sympathy
Review of funeral practices and procedures
Review of tying large bows
Creating a composite flower - glamellia
Pall bearer
Assigned Reading

DAY EIGHT

Care and handling of roses
Tools – Glove, stripper and knife
Rose varieties available to the florist
Designing Roses:
    Dozen
    Half dozen
    Triple and single bud vase
    Hand tied bouquet
Review of wiring flowers for corsages
Creating a multiple flower corsage
Assigned reading

DAY NINE

Selling and Servicing a Wedding
Creating a round bridal bouquet
Creating a cascade bridal bouquet
Orchid varieties available to florists
Creating a wristlet corsage
Packaging of Corsages
Ribbon Wrapping of a flower stem

DAY TEN

Discussion and review of altar decor and pew décor including candelabra, garland, and arches
Designing a pew bow
Creating a halo
Working with other wedding professionals:  photographer, caterer, baker, church official, etc.
Doing a complete wedding
Finished project for photo opportunity
Review and discuss pricing
Reminder - Homework is due on Monday Morning
Assigned reading

DAY ELEVEN ^

Care and handling of new floral varieties
Homework due
Week two summary quiz
New Design Forms
The Asian influence in design
Interpretive Ikebana
The European influence in design
Landscape design
Vertical floral design
Parallel design
Assigned reading
Optional - bring “findings” for interpretive design on day twelve

DAY TWELVE

Review of contemporary design styles
Review of Elements and Principles as they relate to contemporary design
Contemporary design techniques
Interpretive garden style arrangement
Interpretive formal linear arrangement
Designing to a price point

DAY THIRTEEN

Choosing appropriate flowers for an arrangement
Filling a flower order
Designing to a price point
Maximizing visual value
Boxed Roses
Hand tie Review
Corsage Review
Wrapping a bouquet in tissue
Review of flowers and foliages

DAY FOURTEEN

Career options
Preparing for the job hunt
Verbal quiz on information to be tested
Time testing  and evaluation on taped wire and bow tying
Taking a flower order over the phone
Publications and periodicals available to florists
Floral Associations
Practical design exam

DAY FIFTEEN

Written exam
Field trip to the wholesale flower market
Distribution of flowers in today’s market place
Floral options for the Entrprenuer
Steps to opening a Business
Graduation

Are there any additional fees for flowers and supplies in this program?

There are no additional fees. We provide all of the flowers and supplies that you will need.

Are there any additional fees for flowers and supplies in this program?

There are no additional fees. We provide all of the flowers and supplies that you will need.

What materials am I required to bring to the classroom?

We provide everything that you will need in the classroom. This includes all flowers, tools, supplies, books and instructional materials. We do suggest that you bring a hand-held calculator and a camera. It is important that you begin a portfolio of your design work beginning with day one.

Will I be prepared to work in a flower shop when I complete this program?

Yes, our Basic Floral Design program is designed to fully prepare a graduate for an entry level designer position in a flower shop. We have a Board of Advisors who regularly review our curriculum to make sure that our training is relevant and up-to-date for working in progressive flower shops.

I want to start my own business, will the completition of Basic Floral Design prepare me for that?

Yes, many Floral Design Institute students have begun their own home, or studio based businesses upon graduation from our Basic Floral Design program.  The opportunities for home and studio based, floral design businesses continues to grow, and the Basic Floral Design Career Program offers excellent preparatory instruction.

Floral Design Institute is licensed to conduct a private vocational school by the Oregon Department of Education. Floral Design Institute is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Education Partners and is an Approved Educational Pathway to AIFD Certification and Accreditation. 

FLORAL DESIGN INSTITUTE is part of Floral Design Institute, Inc., an Oregon Corporation. Floral Design Institute, Inc. is located at 1138 NW 17th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 503-223-8089. Floral Design Institute, Inc. is held solely by Leanne and David Kesler. Leanne serves as the Corporation President and Director of Floral Design Institute.

POLICIES:

Students are requested to notify the school of illness or other emergencies necessitating absence from class and to arrange makeup for the missed class hours/days. Makeup hours/days will be arranged in a subsequent class. All course hours and makeup work must be completed within one year of the registration date. Students may miss a total of 10% of the course class hours, (12 hours, Basic Floral Design and 4 hours Advanced Floral Design) and still receive their certificate.

Any student behavior which is disruptive to the classroom, impedes the instructor’s attempt to teach or the students to learn is unacceptable, will receive prompt attention, and my be cause for dismissal. Such behavior includes but, is not limited to; violation of safety regulations, interference with other students work, boisterous, vulgar or obscene behavior, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Re-entry will be at the discretion of the school director.

ADMISSION POLICY / REQUIREMENTS

Students must be at least 16 years or age. Students should have good vision, the ability to see color and good manual dexterity. Most employment positions require the ability to lift 25 pounds and stand at a design table for extended periods. Pre-requisites for the Advanced Floral Design program are; successful completion of the Basic Floral Design program or 500 hours of on the job experience as a floral designer.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION AND GRADING GUIDELINES

Upon completion of the course curriculum, each student will be given a practical and a written exam.

The practical exam will require the student to create an arrangement, a corsage and a bud vase utilizing the skills gained during the course. Evaluation will be based upon the 5 elements of design, six principles of design, and mechanics of construction. There are 400 points possible in this exam.

The written exam reviews the information covered in the text and classroom lectures. There are 100 points possible on this exam.

To receive the Floral Design Institute certificate, students must achieve 60% or better on each exam. Failure to do so on either or both will require independent study and re-testing to receive the certificate.

 

GRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS

Student records are kept for 25 years according to Department of Education Guidelines. Students may request a transcript by contacting the Floral Design Institute office: 1138 NW 17^th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 – 503-223-8089

PROCEDURES FOR MISSED HOURS

Students need to be in class to receive the full benefit of the course studies. Unfortunately, situations arise that can prevent you from attending. In case of absence, students can schedule to attend future sessions and make up the missed material. All make up time should be scheduled directly with the instructor.

REFUND POLICY (Professional Classes):

If a student should withdraw from the course and cancel the enrollment agreement; monies paid will be refunded according to the following schedule and policies.

1) Refunds will be paid directly and exclusively to the individual or institution who paid for the course.

2) A full refund of money paid will be given to an applicant that is not accepted by the school prior to the beginning of class.

3) If the student withdraws prior to beginning class and within five days of signing the enrollment agreement or making an initial payment. Then, the student will receive a full refund of all money paid.

4) If the student withdraws prior to beginning class and after five days of signing the enrollment agreement or making an initial payment. Then, the student will receive a full refund of all money paid, less the registration fee.

5) If a student withdraws after enrolling in and beginning class. Then, the student will receive a refund based on the following pro rata tuition / books and supplies adjustment schedule, less the registration fee.

Percent of Enrollment time Tuition, Books &Supplies Refunded

0.01 - 10% 90%

10.1 - 25% 75%

25.1 - 50% 50%

50.1% - 100% 0%

6) Students may withdraw and cancel the enrollment agreement by giving written notice to the school.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (Professional Classes):

All Floral Design Institute students will be trained on the use of and will practice with the following tools, equipment and products; floral knife, floral shears, floral foam, floral cooler, floral food, floral adhesives, bouquet holders, wires, ribbons, floral tapes, pick machine, floral containers, packaging material and rose stripper.