Designer Training timeline

[lil_goldie]

Has anyone had to train a designer from scratch? Or move a sales associate up to a designer level?
How does your training program work?
Assuming the person already has a knowledge of the care and handling, what do you teach first?
How do you teach it?

 

[anytimeflowers]

Wow!

Well, do you know if the person has any interest? I would usually have someone just copy a design that is right in front of them, something simple. Evaluate that for all of the basics, like overall balance and proportion, and mechanics, and depth of insertions. Things that are very basic but most important.

If there is any hope, then you just move on to the next levels, or consider sending them off to some basic design courses if nobody in the shop would be able to train.

 

[Carol Bice]

I am sure there will be a lot of disagreement on this, but, I have had hundreds of employees over my career and this is how I finally learned to handle it.

I used to try to train people myself and if they ended up having talent, it sometimes worked out, sometimes it didn't, but, it really drew on my time to accomplish anything. It slowed me and my production way down.

Then I started requiring anyone that is really interested in designing as a career to have a course from a reputable design school. This told me a couple of things...first, if they are not interested in devoting the time and their money for a short course, then they are probably not going to stay with it and you have trained them for naught.

Second, they get good skills taught right from the beginning. Most teachers will give you recommendations on their capabilities after working with them in the class. If they were a loser in the class, I would hope the teacher would let you know of their limited abilities.

 

[Palms]

I wouldnt even entertain training someone from scratch. I, like Carol, insist on quite a bit of experience or at least level 2 at college.

However, if i were. I would start with

care and conditioning
names of flowers and their place, i.e. choice, filler etc
posies and long and lows
massing and loose designs for funeral work
Handties and flat bouquets
wiring techniques and practice on buttonholes and corsages

All the above would be traditional designs and would concentrate on balance visual and actual and recession. Also taught would be which flowers lend themselves to which designs.

I would then want them to practice all of the above before moving onto any more advanced wedding work or advanced funeral work.

I would then move onto the more advanced modern work which involves using groupings of flowers and foliage and where this is appropriate. Bridal work, showers, pommanders, wrist corsages, wired showers, 3d and more advanced funeral work.

Personally i think there has to be a complete passion for flowers. If you teach someone everything you know, they can never bring any extra value to the shop imo. I want someone to come and tell me new stuff and give me new ideas.

Good luck and hope this helps a little

 

[SpringCity]

I learned designing from the ground up. Yes, first learning the names of flowers and how to care for (process) them... then how to green containers.... then onto easy designs.

One that is easy to teach and get someone a feel for designing, is a dozen roses. First: Green the vase in (give them a guideline of how much greenery to avoid overstuffing at this stage). Next put 6 roses around the outer edge, then 5 a bit higher, and one up high in the middle, then your filler.

It's one of those things where people just have to start trying it; I could never learn by someone explaining it to me, I have to DO it.

 

[roysecityfloristand gifts]

I agree with Carol, in that if a person is not willing to invest financially in themselves taking courses, then why would I want to invest time and money into them.

So many people think they want to do flowers until they see how much work it really is.

I don't really like to hire a person with no experience. This work is fast paced, and a florist is not a school. If the person is willing to work with you for free while they learn the basics, that's another thing. As soon as they can display knowledge of product, care, and basic greening ability THEN they could be taught design elements, color useage, flower purpose.

I'd say let them watch a designer and ask questions, then let them try one on their own. Having a finished one there for them to look at I find, really does no good, because none of us can make it exactly like the example, and that's just copying not using your noodle. I have seen newbies get obsessed with the position of one flower, when they have a sample to look at.

Frankly, I just wouldn't want to be burdened with teaching from scratch in a busy shop.

Carol, I tried to green dot you, but I have to spread the luv.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I have trained many designers that had little or no experience. Remember Natalie at the shop I used to work for never worked in a shop until she came to work there, and last year she beat out 13 people to become the New Mexico designer of the year. I'm a pretty good teacher if I do say so myself.

I wish I could say I only teach people who are willing to spend money and have full intentions of making a career out of floral design.
But MY reality is this...Most places I have worked for had staff that were mediocre or had little design experience. Most of my flower shop gigs have been to help fix shops.
To create smooth running flower shops. For the shop to function properly after I leave.
So with that said, I had to train a lot of people. The people who don't listen to me generally don't stick around. The people who do, win awards :> .
BUT, I sit back and observe before I start to teach, remember I'm also running the shop as I'm teaching.
For instance, in Natalie's case, she has an amazing eye for color. And that was my foundation to build on.
I watch mistakes and I correct them in a way that they understand. I watch to see WHY the mistake is being made.

The worst thing I think a teacher can do is assume that if I explain something that my student will get it the first time. It make take 20 times before it sinks in.
I explain my mechanics. I explain why pan glue is better than glue gun glue. I explain the importance of anti transparent, etc. I say the name of the flower. In other words I would say "Go get me 12 Freedoms" not "go get me 12 red roses'' I want them to be able to know the difference between fuscia and hot pink, teal and seafoam, peach and apricot, etc.
I have whom ever I am teaching assist me, they'll learn that way. If I ask them to go get some sheet moss and they come back with Spanish, they'll remember the difference next time for sure!

I don't expect them to design at my level. I never ask them to do anything I don't think they could, But I do encourage them every step of the way. And when they say "I can't do that" I say "Oh yes you can, I'll teach you." I never say "Figure it out."

 

[minorgrey]

Everyone I've hired has no experience. When I give an interview I have them make up an arrangement to see where their skills are at. If they pick good colors and textures then I'll usually give them a shot. I start them out with bud vases, care, and greening then work up from there.

 

[twiggy]

when I need someone to design I will train them to construct the designs I've already chosen- the flower bouquets and designs that come out of here need to look like they came from my shop-(me) so I will do the work of creating the menu and I will teach my helpers how to make the selections from the menu- kinda paint by number floral construction. they will not create something from scratch-

A person would have to be really special for me to spend the time with them to learn floral design - there is just so much to learn-

 

[lil_goldie]

Well, I guess I should hide the candidness. The designer wanna-be is me!!
I have the basic knowledge and I did a three week course.
I felt it gave me a jumping off point, but I really haven't tried to practice.
I'm so busy at the front (or I keep myself busy so that I don't have to design) that I really don't do anything in the back.

I've got to start soon. I've got two designers that turned 60 this year, and one who, I feel, will leave us within the next 18 months.
Where do you think I should start?
My thought would be like, step by step training:
Bud vases
Smaller dishes
Medium vase arrangements
Long and Lows
Centerpieces
One sided dish arrangements
Large Vase Arrangements
Funeral Tributes
Standing/Casket Sprays
Wedding work.


Is there a better way to do this? I don't want to take anymore courses. I'm a hands on learner and I need much more than three weeks to learn. I will need months before I can put out anything really quality and in a timely fashion.

 

[Knife's Wife]

My father in-law taught many designers from the ground up. Many want on to open their own shops and run successful florist shops that still are here today. When he took me into his training he made we start with traditional funeral mache. I was scared to death to start with big. But, he believed that if you could do traditional maches and casket sprays you could then move down to the smaller things with no problem. With a mache he would only allow a very very light greening, basically to cover the foam lightly, then you had to insert flowers. This technique worked very well as it would help you to see the negative spaces that you were creating (very important to most designs) then you would fill in with greens and use them as if they were flowers also.
This method of teaching has work well for me over the years.
The problem I see with requiring someone to go off to school is this:
One they could have all the talent and all the hearts desire but if you have no cash to send yourself your @@@@ out of luck.
If your area is anything like ours there is no, and I mean NO good school around in which to learn. The colleges around here have teachers (some of who were prior employees here that were not good designers, ever.)

 

[TGDragonfly]

Chantelle, I would recommend sourcing a new quality designer, someone fresh and exciting and good, someone with enough talent that can take your product to the next level and work closely with that person to develop the skills you need to produce the same. Sounds to me that your work force is tired and old, which might parlay into tired and old floral products.

I find sometimes that it is easier to hire someone with natural talent and no experience then it is to hire experience and break them of habits that hinder the production and look of our products. We typically put newbies on the line and start them with repetitive work like prepping containers and eventually move them into finish work. If your not into managing production, work closely with your lead designer who is. Teaching newbies by giving them repetitive tasks in stages boosts their ability. I am a stickler with mechanics and methods. If I feel a designer is lacking in a certain area, I will work closely with that designer on a run of arrangements that require good mechanics on the first few and turn them loose on the rest but check for flaws periodically and correct. If this designer can't get it right by making the same arrangement 20 times then they probably will never get it.

I believe that if you are trying to learn floral design or teach it, learn one thing, mechanics, mechanics, MECHANICS. If you do this and get it down right, then the rest is up to imagination.

 

[Victoria]

I don't know about the "tired and old" part, but finding another designer is a good idea. Also, you might approach one or both of the experienced designers to learn the floral basics of design. Mechanics are the basis of your skill set. Learn them well and the rest will follow.

Didn't you go to school? I know you felt your experience there wasn't what you expected but, I believe in education. Everyone's experiences and expectations are different but courses are a wonderful way to tap into new knowledge.

I'm a good teacher (according to past working compatriots), but I always strongly suggested courses where possible.

While at the shop make the time to learn from your designers. I don't think they're that old or tired to pass on what they know.

V

 

[hollyflr]

Chantelle, I suggest you purchase this book. "The Art of Floral Design" by Norah T. Hunter, I found it on Amazon used for about $100. I bought the earlier addition when I went to floral design school. Do you feel you have a solid foundation in the basics, flower name, care and handling, type of flower, i.e. line, mass, etc., elements of design and styles, This book is a handy reference.

Next do you have a talented designer that will challenge you, and give feed back on your designs, who will walk you through what is good and not so good about the designs you create. I found I needed another critical eye, because I loved any thing I was able to create.

Start simple, pick a design, even from the wire service book, and pick it apart in your mind, what is the structure, how do the flowers relate to each other, what is the proportion, what is pleasing about the color, and what in your eye would you change, once you have analyzed the arrangement, make your own, critique with the above designer, and do it again. Take your time to do the design, speed will come with experience.

When I took my classes, the critique was the most important part of learning how to design, I can still hear my instructor in my head as I design.

 

[Luc]

No schooling here. When I first purchase this shop, I worked 1 month under the old owner. My first piece was a casket spray. Looked at picture and went from there.

Turn out pretty good. I have gone to classes to learn more tricks and learn from seeing other designers but I have learn on my own.

I love doing casket sprays and big arr. I suck at centerpieces. Seem hard to get it all around.

It is fun to learn new things.

Luc

 

[Carol Bice]

Of course, there are many ways to learn and you have to do what works for you

But, based on my experience of teaching design classes and also being a piano teacher for many years, there are some generalities I have learned.

Piano: You can start someone at the age of 5 and they can play well in two or three years; or you can start them at 8 and they can play the same things in 2 or 3 weeks.

Floral designs: You can take months and years to learn what you can learn in an accredited hands on school in two weeks.


I have had lots of experience with all the methods, achieving a major amount of success with producing some award winning pianists and four floral state champions

 

[daisy mae]

I would also suggest volunteering at shows and conventions in the back rooms helping the designers get ready for the programs.