The art of floral design goes beyond the mere arrangement of flowers and foliage; it is the manifestation of creativity in harmony with nature. In the following sections, you will be able to better understand what it entails and what skills a true professional florist must possess. A career that can bring great success if you have the right skills and training!
What is floral design?
Floral design is an art that focuses on the creation and aesthetic arrangement of flowers, foliage, branches, and other plant elements to create floral arrangements. It goes beyond simply putting flowers together; it involves a creative process that considers design principles such as color, texture, shape, size, and balance to compose attractive and meaningful arrangements.
The working formula is usually as follows: once the creator invents a composition, it is usually used repeatedly, altering only what the client requests.
What is meant by floral art?
Although it is confused with the previous concept, it is not related in any way. Floral art is the part of the work that focuses on design. Creativity, fantasy, and surprise are just three of its many factors. Each creation has its personality and is the basis of the compositions that become reality thanks to floral design.
This art ranges from small arrangements for personal occasions to elaborate decorations for events, weddings, commercial spaces, or exhibitions. Floral designers create compositions that convey emotions, reflect specific themes, or enhance the beauty of a location.
What is a floral style?
A floral style is a particular categorization or approach within the world of floral design. It is comprised of techniques, shapes, colors, or concepts that are consistently applied in floral arrangements. These styles often reflect specific trends, eras, cultures, or aesthetic preferences. Some examples of floral styles include:
Classic
Rustic or country
Minimalist
Tropical
Modern or contemporary
Each floral style has its own rules, although they can also be combined to create unique and personalized arrangements. These styles not only define the aesthetics of the arrangements but also convey particular sensations and meanings, adapting to different occasions and personal tastes.
Floral Design Basics
Every composition created must take into account beauty, expression, and harmony. These three objectives are achieved by applying the concepts we develop below.
Proportion. This is the key to success. It must be kept between the flowers and the foliage. It must also take into account the environment where it will be placed. Therefore, there must be no excesses that break the harmony and prevent surprising the person for whom the composition is intended.
Balance. It is divided into two:
the physical, between the material to be used and its container, and the visual, between both halves of the composition. In turn, the balance in floral design can be: symmetrical, that is, it materializes when all the parts of the arrangement share the same weight. Or, on the contrary, asymmetrical: irregular on both sides of the central axis, but at first glance the difference cannot be seen.
Rhythm. This is the order used to achieve a specific visual pattern that provides a sense of movement.
Repetition. By repeating the same color, shape, or type of flower, it is possible to enhance the result of each creation. In addition, a much more intense visual impression is obtained.
Variety. The greater the number of components, the greater the interest in the person who sees the arrangement. It adds style and prevents visual boredom.
Contrast. Visual differences are generated by using different colors or variations in height.
Focal point. This is the visual axis that the person for whom the arrangement is made will look at. It must become the link between all the components displayed.
Center of interest. It is located in the part closest to the edge of the container used. It is natural to observe a composition from top to bottom, with the latter part being the one that culminates the desired visual effect.
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Basic skills of a professional florist
If you want to open your flower shop or work in one, you should acquire the following skills:
Basics of managing your business. Remember that you will have to place orders, control your warehouse, and pay the corresponding taxes.
Keep the product in perfect condition at all times. You must water, cut, clean, and prepare the plants for sale and display.
Stay up to date with the latest developments in your sector. Each new product represents an open door to profits. Choose the one that best suits your characteristics and is most profitable for you.
Be able to put a price on your work. Remember to include the cost of raw materials, hours of work, and expenses incurred.
Offer floral design and art.
It is important that you know how to design surprising compositions as well as being able to execute them. It is up to you to select the most appropriate type of flower, foliage, plants, or container for each job. As you have seen, this section and the previous one are inseparable.
Have a team to help you with the most demanding tasks. A wedding, a first communion, or the decoration of any event is a unique opportunity. Make the most of it by counting on the support of your team.
Advising the customer. Being professional does not mean directing the purchase towards what suits you best. Rather, it is about personalizing the treatment with the customer as much as possible. Each person requires something specific. This is where the importance of having a varied range of products lies, which allows you to adapt to any request or need of your clientele.
Show your work. Do this in your shop window, on social media, or wherever you see fit. You should expose yourself to criticism to find out what a potential buyer thinks of your offering. Make public presentations and ask for feedback from attendees.
Advanced Florist Skills
Remember that you must always keep up with the times and provide proposals related to the latest trends. After all, a flower shop is a traditional business, but it should never be old-fashioned. Don’t hesitate to attend training courses periodically to update your knowledge. Check each order in detail so that the result is excellent.
And above all, put your creativity to the test in every project. Never stop researching to find the perfect formula that will allow you to create something completely different. Use unknown flowers and opt for different color ranges, as well as vases or containers made specifically for you.
In short, it is about offering everything from the most classic to the most innovative. Each composition will be a faithful reflection of your artistic talents. You will also be selling plants, flowers, colors, fragrances, and life.
If every time you go to a flower shop you are surprised by the skill of the professional who serves you, do not hesitate. Perhaps you can dedicate yourself to a sector that has managed to adequately renew itself in response to market changes.
Now that you know what floral design is and how to be a professional florist, you may better understand the work of florists. Behind every bouquet or flower arrangement there is a job that you can now appreciate. The union of creativity with a passion for a profession and the desire to please the customer are its most distinctive features. It is up to you to become a professional florist who sets trends.
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