Career Diploma in
Floral Design

Understanding the emotional power of flowers; the history of floral design; the floral design industry and employment opportunities; introduction to fresh-cut flower care; re-cutting stems, removing excess foliage; how to maximize vase life.

The design process; creating a complete artistic unit; developing a unique style; selecting parts that fulfill the theme; color; shape; placement; principles of harmony, selecting flowers, accessories and containers; unifying your designs through proximity, repetition and transition.

Color theory defined; the properties of color: hue, value and intensity; the color wheel; primary, secondary and tertiary colors; creating color schemes with flowers; how floral designers utilize the psychological effects of color; contrasting and complementary color schemes.

Physical balance and visual balance; the four types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial and open; proportion; scale; achieving proper vase-to-flower and flower-to-flower ratios.

The importance of visual emphasis and focal points; using color, shape, pattern, size, spacing, texture, framing and accessories; rhythm in floral design; repetition and radiating lines; using transition to create "visual pathways".

Sound techniques to help floral designers maximize their time.

The elements of line, form, space and depth in floral design; three basic linear configurations and how they affect feelings; grouping shapes together; design considerations of space; angling and overlapping stems to create depth.

How flowers, foliage and accessories appeal to the senses of smell and touch; achieving textural variety in arrangements; which flowers are most fragrant; when to avoid strong fragrances; feelings evoked by certain flower scents.

Tools for floral construction; container shapes and styles: glass, plastic, woven, ceramic and brass; using floral foam; wiring fresh flowers; how to use glue, clays and tape; ribbon and bow making; wrapping your floral arrangements.

Understanding botanically complete flower and leaf structures; names and expected life spans of flowers and plants; ways to extend freshness.

Maintaining flowers after harvest; the chain from grower to consumer; conditioning stems; removing thorns and excess foliage; soaking tropical flowers; preservatives; conditioning and dry-packing; refrigerating fresh flowers; caring for and harvesting home garden flowers.

Constructing triangular, circular, crescent, vertical and horizontal arrangements; cone-shaped, one-sided circular, topiary ball and Hogarth curve designs; how to add mass with foliage and filler flowers; popular shapes for floral arrangements.

Preparing for floral holidays; creating theme flowers for Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, Easter, Passover, Mother' Day, Father' Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and various religious holidays; other occasion bouquets: new baby, birthday, graduation, anniversary, get-well and sympathy.

Complementing fashions with flowers; determining color, proportion and scale; making corsages and boutonnieres; spray painting carnations; ribbon loops and flags; lace, netting and pins; techniques for crafting wristlets, barrette flowers and chaplets.

Types of artificial flowers; designing permanent arrangements with artificial, dried and silk flowers; complementing interiors with silk flowers; drying, freeze-drying and pressing flowers; using plastic flowers; using glue, foam, wire and tape; cleaning and maintaining artificial flowers.

Simplicity and symbolism in oriental designs; uses of linear and asymmetrical balance; classic, formal, naturalistic, and abstract flower designs; oriental-style containers and accessories; characteristics of Chinese and Japanese design; Ikebana or Japanese flower arranging.

Advanced classic styles: mille fleurs, phoenix, waterfall and Biedermeier designs; botanical, vegetative and landscape designs; linear styles; modernistic trends: sheltered, pavé, new wave and abstract arrangements; basing and uniting techniques.

Components of the wedding floral package; centerpieces; ceremonial flowers for rituals and celebrations in churches, cathedrals, chapels and synagogues; altars; canopies; pews; bridal bouquets; floral headpieces; bridesmaids'bouquets; flower girls'baskets; ushers'boutonnieres; corsages for relatives; cake flowers; reception flowers; servicing the customer.

The meaning of sympathy flowers; religious customs; handling in lieu of flowers requests; funeral terminology; casket sprays, lid insets, standing easels, garlands; grave bouquets; pedestal arrangements; working with families and funeral directors.

The world flower market; how flower producers, exporters and importers operate; seasonal availability of flowers and plants; harvest, rehydration, packing and shipping; time frame from grower to retailer; working with domestic and foreign growers; buying cut flowers from wholesalers, brokers or auctioneers; storage techniques.

Marketing; visual merchandising: dressing a window or storefront, in-store displays; starting or working in a full-service florist shop; specialty and limited service shops; flower carts; location options: free-standing shops, strip malls, shopping malls, business complexes, downtown offices.

A manual to assist your career search.

Forty to 60 percent of a florist' revenue comes from weddings. Now you can learn the business side of nuptial flowers: sales techniques; marketing; building referral business; kinds of weddings; and types of flowers needed.

Almost $1 billion is spent annually on the care of indoor plants. Find out how it could be possible to create a business by caring for plants in business offices, hotels, stores, restaurants, malls and hospitals. Learn how to provide continuing plant and/or flower services: watering, maintenance, dead leaf removal and plant replacement.

One of today' best sellers is the personalized gift basket. Learn how to create these gifts by packaging attractive baskets containing go-together gifts such as fruits, wines, crackers, cheeses, bath soaps, lotions and perfume, coffees, teas, chocolate, candies, gift items and much more.