Class Descriptions & Schedule

ONLINE COURSES WILL RESUME IN THE FALL.  PLEASE CHECK OUR WEB SITE IN AUGUST FOR THE COURSE SCHEDULE.

General Information | Course & Workshop Descriptions | Course Schedule | Register for Courses

The following AIFD Online Education Courses will be available for enrollment via Blackboard. For instructions on how Blackboard works, click here.

The cost to enroll in each video class is $79 for AIFD members and AIFD Friends and $99 for others. The hands-on workshops are 16 hours (Two four-hour sessions per day -- Day 1: Arrangements, Day 2: Personal Flowers); fee includes all flowers and materials. (Pricing will vary according to workshop.)

Please note that The AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, and Traditions, 2nd Edition is required for these online courses and must be purchased at least one week in advance of your class start date. This book will be used for all five online workshops and can be purchased here.

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Introduction to Floral Design (Online Course 1)

Registration for classes will resume in August.

Objectives for the Introduction to Floral Design Course

This course is designed to acquaint the student with basic information about the floral industry, including:

1. Origins from a historical perspective
2. Basic floristry tools, supplies and mechanics
3. Identification of commonly used cut flowers/foliage and plants
4. Overview of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)

It is important to review all the provided materials, as many of the other AIFD online courses and workshops build upon the information provided in this course.

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Recall major historical periods that influenced the development of the art of floral design.
2. Recall the proper procedure for use of floral foam and basic container set-up (mechanics).
3. List the steps to membership in the American Institute of Floral Designers.
4. List the basic supplies and tools needed for proper creation of professional floral designs.
5. Recall the names (common or botanical) of the provided list of commonly used cut flowers and foliage.

Time frame for the Introduction to Floral Design: est. 60 minutes

Elements and Principles of Design (Online Course 2)

Registration for classes will resume in August.

Objectives for the Elements and Principles of Design Course

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the elements and principles of design. The elements of design include line, color, form, space, pattern, fragrance, size and texture. The principles of design include balance, dominance, rhythm, proportion, contrast, harmony and unity. The material presented in this course will help the student develop sensitivity for design and its uses as a positive environmental element. Mastering the elements and principles of design provides limitless possibilities for creating pleasing floral designs.

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Analyze and critique floral designs in order to question his/her aesthetic, as well as conceptual, value system as it relates to the elements and principles of design.
2. Understand the elements, that is the directly observable components, ingredients, and physical characteristics of a design.
3. Understand the principles, the fundamental guidelines to aesthetic design that govern the organization of the elements and materials in accordance with the laws of nature.
4. Recognize how the elements and principles work together to create a pleasing design.

Time frame for the Elements and Principles of Design Course: est. 120 minutes

Design Techniques and Applications (Online Course 3)

Registration for classes will resume in August.

Objectives for the Design Techniques and Applications Course

This course is designed to illustrate and define the terms and processes related to the "nuts and bolts" of assembling a flower arrangement. Combined with the elements and principles of design, these techniques and processes will help floral designers better understand the practical applications involved in creating a successful floral design.

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Recall the basic categories of Design Techniques and Applications
   

• Basing
• Accent
• Stem Placement
• Physical Application
• Color Enhancing
• Mechanical
  

2. Identify how specific design techniques are used in professional floral designs
3. Justify the use of a design technique in a floral composition

Time frame for the Design Techniques and Applications Course: est. 60 minutes

Arrangements: Everyday and Sympathy (Online Course 4)

Registration for classes will resume in August.

Objectives for the Arrangements: Everyday and Sympathy Course

This course is a prerequisite for the Arrangements hands-on workshop unless you have already successfully completed another education Pathway or have been in the floral industry for three (3) or more years.  It is designed to acquaint the student with basic information about floral designs commonly used in retail floristry, including sympathy designs, centerpieces, vase arrangements and geometric designs.  It is designed to equip the student with introductory knowledge in order to be successful in the hands-on workshop portion of the course.  Specific emphasis will be placed on the process of design assembly, proper use of elements and principles of design and the proper use of mechanics when creating a floral design.

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the different types of mechanical products available for sympathy designs.
2. Identify & define the different types of casket pieces.
3. Identify & define the different types of set pieces and novelty designs.
4. Identify & define create the different types of sprays.
5. Identify & define and the different types of baskets and mache designs.

Personal Flowers: To Wear and Carry (Online Course 5)

Registration for classes will resume in August.

Objectives for the Personal Flowers: To Wear and Carry Course

This course is a prerequisite for the Personal Flowers hands-on workshop unless you have already successfully completed another education Pathway or have been in the floral industry for three (3) or more years.  It is designed to acquaint the student with personal flowers, such as corsages, boutonnieres, bridal and attendant bouquets.  It is designed to equip the student with introductory knowledge in order to be successful in the hands-on workshop portion of the course.  The use of ribbons and bows will be explained in detail.  Specific emphasis will be placed on the process of design assembly, proper use of elements and principles of design and the proper use of mechanics when creating a floral design.  It also covers the following categories:

1. Care and Handling of personal flowers
2. Mechanics and Techniques of personal flowers
3. Flowers to Wear
4. Ribbons and Bows
5. Wedding Bouquet

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WORKSHOP INTENSIVES

This AIFD Hands-on Workshop is open to anyone. Registration is now closed. Registration for classes will resume in August.

The hands-on workshops are priced at $515 for non-members and $475 for members for 16 hours of instruction. There are two four-hour sessions per day. Day One focuses on Arrangements and Day Two on Personal Flowers. The fee covers both days and includes all flowers and materials.

Day One - Arrangements Everyday and Sympathy
Instructed By: Sharon McGukin AIFD

This workshop is an all day seminar divided into two segments. One segment designed to demonstrate and apply the design skills related to daily shop designing, from vases to centerpieces and formalinear designs. We will be using mechanical and decorative techniques and applications. The next segment is sympathy and design work that involves the construction of casket pieces and easel designs.

Day Two - Personal Flowers: To Wear or Carry
Instructed By: Tom Bowling AIFD

This workshop is an all day seminar divided into two segments. One segment to demonstrate and apply the design skills related to the construction of body flowers. From shoulder corsages and wristlets to boutonnieres. We will be using wire and taping techniques and also glue applications. The next segment is the techniques of hand-tying bouquets and bridal bouquet holder constructions for those bouquets going down the aisle.

Combined with the elements and principles of design, these techniques and processes will help floral designers better understand the practical applications in creating a successful floral design. After completing this two-day workshop, the student will be able to:

1. Construct everyday designs of vases and centerpieces properly.
2. Construct sympathy casket designs and easel designs properly.
3. Construct corsages and boutonnieres properly.
4. Construct hand-tied bouquets and bridal bouquet holder designs properly.
5. Identify how specific design techniques and applications are used in professional floral designs for personal flowers.

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Each year, immediately prior to its National Symposium, the American Institute of Floral Designers will conduct a Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PDFE) session for floral designers seeking to gain membership into the Institute and to earn their "Certified Floral Designer (CFD)" status.