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If you’ve ever seen a beautiful centerpiece at a wedding, you know the importance and impact that floral designers can have.
Living in Colorado, you may wonder if there are any requirements for becoming a floral designer.
In the article below, we’ll cover the process of becoming a floral designer in CO.
We’ll also list some programs to hone your skills in flower design and arrangement.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Steps to Become a Floral Designer in Colorado
- 1.1 Research what a floral designer does
- 1.2 Consider how the job duties and lifestyle might fit your preferences
- 1.3 Evaluate whether you have the aptitude for floral design
- 1.4 Talk to current floral designers to learn more about their experience
- 1.5 Apply to floral design jobs or programs
- 1.6 Start working in floral design
- 2 Floral Designer Program
- 3 Floral Designer Schools in Colorado – Summary Table
- 4 Salary
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Steps to Become a Floral Designer in Colorado
Research what a floral designer does
Before you commit to this new career path, it’s best to do your due diligence and look into the training required as well as what a day on the job looks like.
The floral design might sound like a fun and creative job, but it’s still work.
Knowing what that work entails can help save you the heartache of disappointment or confusion about this job.
Consider how the job duties and lifestyle might fit your preferences
Once you know what to expect as a floral designer, it’s time to think about how this might fit your lifestyle.
If you like to have laid-back days at work where you can sit at a desk without working with your hands too much, the floral design might not be the right field for you.
If you need a regular 9-5 schedule, floral design deadlines and event work might not be ideal.
Additionally, if the pay involves taking a pay cut, you may need to reevaluate your budget.
Only you can decide if floral design is a good career choice for your needs.
Evaluate whether you have the aptitude for floral design
While you can learn the skills for floral design, you still would be in a better position to succeed if you have certain aptitudes and traits.
For example, if you are a creative person with a strong work ethic and team-player attitude, you will probably enjoy floral design.
If you prefer analytical work alone, there may be other roles that are a better fit.
You may also simply need to cultivate the ability to see things creatively or enjoy a more artistic job.
At the same time, if you have a hard time following directions or rely solely on artistic intuition without any form, floral design might be challenging for you.
This is because the design has deliberate principles and best practices.
When you’re working with clients, you’ll also need to consider their needs and work on their vision instead of your ideas.
Talk to current floral designers to learn more about their experience
The best way to figure out if becoming a floral designer is the best move for you is to discuss the job with those who already work in the field.
You may even want to see if you can shadow a floral designer for a day for an immersive experience.
By connecting with floral designers, you can also get the scoop on where the best places to design flowers in your area.
Apply to floral design jobs or programs
Once you’ve decided that you want to move forward in floral design, you can apply to programs for training or you can apply straight to floral designer jobs.
While you might not need any formal training to become a floral designer in CO, it is recommended that you have some experience before applying for jobs.
This will give you a leg up in the hiring process.
Start working in floral design
Once you complete a program or gain some basic skills, it’s time to apply for floral designer roles.
Once you’ve landed a job, you can continue learning by reading and taking courses in more advanced floral design.
At this point, you’ve officially become a floral designer–congratulations!
Floral Designer Program
Palmer School of Floral Design
The Palmer School of Floral Design is one of the only official programs for floral design in Colorado.
In this Fort Collins-based program, students take five-week courses that total 25 hours each in concentrations like Beginner’s Floral 101 and Advanced Floral Design 104.
The program consists of four classes for certifications, but students can also just take the class that most fits the skill level they would like to attain.
Blossom and Branch – Colorado Flower Farm
Blossom and Branch, the Colorado flower farm, does not count as a school.
Even so, they provide workshops in flower arrangements and flower cutting that would be useful for a beginner who wants to test out the art of flower design.
New York Institute of Art and Design
For an online program from a reputable source, NYIAD’s Online Floral Design Class & Certificate Program could be a great option.
This class is fully online and involves pre-made video course materials blended with mentorship for a unique, flexible experience.
You’ll hone your skills while also exploring your style in this class.
Floral Designer Schools in Colorado – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Palmer School of Floral Design | 2528 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA |
| Blossom and Branch - Colorado Flower Farm | 2440 Iris Street, Lakewood CO 80215 |
| New York Institute of Art and Design | 41 E 11th St 11th floor, New York, NY 10003, USA |
Salary
According to salary.com, floral designers in Colorado have salaries that range from $44,034 to $65,554 on average.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $55,412 |
| Fort Collins | $53,476 |
| Colorado Springs | $54,267 |
| Aurora | $55,375 |
| Grand Junction | $55,941 |
| Arvada | $55,412 |
| Pueblo | $51,165 |
| Westminster | $55,412 |
| Boulder | $55,908 |
| Thornton | $55,412 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 70 | $43,140 | $20.74 | $58,270 | $32,630 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 70 | $39,120 | $18.81 | $46,930 | $30,590 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 360 | $40,950 | $19.69 | $48,510 | $33,550 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 100 | $35,340 | $16.99 | $46,450 | $32,230 |
| Greeley, CO | 30 | $36,660 | $17.62 | $47,100 | $30,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be certified to be a floral designer in Colorado?
In Colorado, you don’t need to be certified as a floral designer to operate a business or work for someone else as a floral designer, according to the laws.
While this is true, you will still want to have some training or experience to stand out from other applicants.
This is especially pertinent for landing your first floral design job.
What professional organizations are there for floral designers in Colorado?
The Floral Association of the Rockies (FAR) is a professional organization where floral designers in CO can mingle, network, and support each other professionally.
Their main branch is based in Denver, CO.
What training do floral designers need in Colorado?
In Colorado, floral designers can get a job in the field with an H.S. Diploma or GED.
However, it’s recommended that floral designers would at least gain skills through researching online and self-guided learning to have the best shot at succeeding in their first floral design role.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Floral Designer
Floral Design by State