AIFD Pathway question

[Sarah Jane]

I want to get started with becoming AIFD but I don't know which educational "pathway" to start with. I have about 13 years experience as a designer so that would lead me to believe that I should go with pathway #1:

Pathway One:
Complete a Professional Skills Assessment (PSA) application form (three year minimum work experience in the floral industry required).
The PSA education pathway for a floral designer to qualify for enrollment into AIFD's Professional Floral Design Evaluation system with the goal of earning a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) designation and ultimately membership in AIFD, was created for professionals who have three or more years design experience. It allows potential candidates to evaluate their floral design knowledge in advance of the PFDE testing process.



But I guess I don't totally understand what pathway #1 involves from that description. Also, I don't feel very "officially" trained in floral design so I'm not sure if I'm even technically a designer. I haven't done many weddings and I'm very self-taught in other areas. So, I was thinking that maybe I should go pathway #5:


Pathway Five:
Complete five online courses and the required hands-on workshop offered by AIFD. Three of the five courses will be strictly online courses which must be completed before the last two courses. The last two courses will be a combination of online learning and hands-on workshops that you must appear for on-site.
Online Classes:
1. Introduction to Floral Design
2. Elements and Principles of Design, and
3. Design Techniques and Applications.
After completing the first three classes, PFDE candidates may then enroll in the final two classes (4. Personal Flowers: To Wear or Carry and 5. Arrangments: Everyday & Sympathy). Each of these dynamic learning experiences features a two-part learning experience:
The online video lesson, and
A hands-on, in-person, 6-hour class.

But, I'm wondering if these would be too basic for me or if this would be a good path. I would have to get to NC in March for the hand-on portion in order to make it to San Francisco in July so I just want to make sure this isn't like super basic before I decide to take on the expense involved with pathway #5.

If anyone could give me any guidance on this I would really appreciate it. Or if someone could help me understand pathway #1 a little better than that would also help. I have read the entire AIFD website but I'm still unclear about how I learn anything on pathway #1. I do have the AIFD book.

Thanks!

 

[lori042499]

I would suggest that if you want to become AIFD certified, you do take some of their online classes, just because you don't seem 100% confident in your limited abilities....However, owning a shop and working full time for 3 years does get you through with Pathway 1...now you need an industry peer to vouch for you as a designer that AIFD is a path you should take...Upload some photos here and have some of the AIFD designers have a peek and they will let you know if they think you are ready at all..

Looking back at last year, I do wish I took an online class or two in hand tied bouquets and body flowers, only because so much new stuff has come out and I only really had a crash course in them that I was a little behind the times.

 

[Sarah Jane]

Well, all my work is on my website. I would have no idea what to upload for someone to evaluate because I don't know what AIFD is looking for. But I would think that designing for customers and designing for AIFD are different things anyway, right? I've only designed for customers and they seem to care more about fresh flowers and value than artistry. Customers love my work but that doesn't necessarily mean AIFD would. I don't know.

It's not that I don't have confidence in my abilities to make pretty floral arrangements, it's that I don't have confidence in my technical design abilities because I've never been formally taught. When I look through the AIFD book, there's a ton of stuff that I don't know. I feel like I'm an intuitive designer. My mom is an artist and I grew up around art so I have an eye for it but I don't know the technical side of it. I want to learn more about design though and I want to be AIFD.

I guess I was just wondering if the classes would be a good path for me or a waste of time. I wasn't sure if they were more for someone who had no experience or what. It's just a lot of money so I didn't know if it was basic like how to insert flowers in oasis or more technical stuff that I need to know to take the test. I guess I will register for the first class and see how that goes and take it from there.

 

[Carol Bice]

I think you should take a short course from Phil Rulloda or one of the other really good teachers. You can learn lots of great techniques in a few days with Phil.

This will, in turn, give you the confidence to feel good about your techniques and basics. Check his schedule to see if he is coming to your area anytime soon.

 

[lori042499]

Sarah,

You are every correct that in designing for AIFD and designing for consumers is different...it would be like designing for yourself you are far more critical of mistakes you see than the average person..and that is exactly what I meant by not having the confidence, If you feel you are not up to par ,now you won't feel any more confident when faced with the test...The classes are definately not a waste..You have never been trained, but also never been taught the basics...an inexpensive basic course would teach you why you choose to make things the way you do and help you find where your weak points are, advanced classes would teach you tips and techniques that put your designs into the AIFD realm of creativity....AIFD is made up of regular everyday designers that just take design to a diferent level on a regular basis, they are just a bit more innovative, creative and think outside the box, if you have a good basis of design the rest of this is learned by practice and more practice..

What has helped me to gain the knowledge and insight to bettering myself design wise has been to throw myself into associations, behind the scenes design shows, watching "celebrity" designers like J Scwanke and Leeann Kessler on ubloom, seeing Rene van remes and every other designer that comes to my area and learning even one more little tip to help loosen up my mind from the everyday grind...25 years in and every year that goes by I learn more and more...position yourself with people who enjoy design and you will get there...take classes to actually learn why you do things and know it by heart...do everything to the best of your ability always, jnot just good enough even if it is a 15.00 budvase..

 

[OB1]

Hi Sarah Jane,
A few thoughts...
I had a look at the arrangements on your website, and they are lovely.
One of things that jumped out at me was my first impression that they were standard photos taken from a TF or FTD catalogue.
If you really want to become a designer who is recognised for creative work, you need to stretch your repetoirre.
I think it would be good for you to take some classes from a really good teacher...it will help you to understand why your arrangements turn out well, and in the odd case where they don't work out as well as you hoped, what needs improving.
Unlike some others, I don't think there is any difference designing for a customer in a retail setting, as opposed to designing in an AIFD environment...either way it is about creating the best possible design, using the best techniques. These can be self taught, but with some risk. If your goal is to become accredited by AIFD, then you need to understand the hows and whys of what you design. Otherwise you may not succeed in the judging process.
I am not an expert in the new paths to accreditation that AIFD has implemented. Rickie knows alot more about that. But I see no downside in getting some formal education before moving forward with what can be a confusing and very intimidating process.
Besides, we all learn something new from every class we take...even the most seasoned designers among us, AIFD or not!
Good luck!
JP

 

[anytimeflowers]

Hi Sarah Jane,

It is my understanding that besides the 1000 hours experience, you still need to have accomplished an education pathway. There are several schools that are considered pathways, Phil Rulloda's Southern California School of Design is probably the most recognized. Also, check with your state floral association. If they are offering the Certified Florist program, these are considered a pathway. Or, as you mentioned, the online AIFD classes as well. Hope that answers your question. You can also call AIFD and they will happily answer your questions.

 

[Flowerchatter03]

I am currently taking the on-line classes. I have been in the flower business since the early 90's. I have had design classes at a vocational school in Ohio. I have also worked for 2 full service florists, 1 grocery store florist and now have had my own shop since 2003.

The first class is NOT a waste of your time. It is alot of the history of floral design, types of design, periods of design and art etc.

Hope this helps!

 

[RWK]

Either one of the education pathways is viable for you. As Carol recommended though, My best advice for any seasoned veteran of the industry is to take classes from an established AIFD Education Partner. Certainly Phil's School is one, Floral Design Institute in Portland is another one. Go to the AIFD website and look for Education Partners.

Attending some classes through that would be my best advice. If you wish to do Pathway 1, then you should take photos of your work.....and have an AIFD member critique and evaluate to help you gain insight into the why's/how's and techniques.

Certainly Carol, Myself, Joanne, or any of the members on Fc will be only too happy to look at any work you wish to post and give you our honest evaluations and critiques. However, remember this. The camera sees in two dimension, the human eye in three dimension, the camera can sometimes present things differently than you think they will.