14 Pros and Cons of Being a Floral Designer

There are pros and cons to being a floral designer.

It is a creative job that offers many different types of setting to work in small businesses, retail, supermarkets, studio florists, flower trucks, flower carts, freelance designers, wholesalers, online, and farmers and florists.

There are business schools and colleges that offer training and certification for floral design.

Learn about the pros and cons before enrolling in a program or starting a new job.

Pros of Being A Floral Designer

Variety of Jobs Available

Floral designers can work in a variety of businesses that provide creativity and flexibility.

Large retail stores or supermarkets employ floral designers to maintain order, make arrangements and wait on customers.

They will earn an hourly wage and do not have to solicit customers.

It is an effective way to get experience before opening a business.

Small or medium-sized floral shops hire floral designers to work with customers and it is an ideal place for those that want to learn business.

It will provide a steady income, training, and customers.

Freelance floral designers work for a florist or an event planner and have flexible hours and interesting projects.

This business has low startup costs and the opportunity to work on creative projects like weddings and special events.

Studio florists often give floral designers the opportunity to work on weddings and for event planners.

The designers create arrangements based on the customer’s needs.

This gives designers the ability to work on a variety of creative projects that may have deadlines.

Other areas floral designers work to use their skills are managing flower carts or trucks, an online business, flower wholesaler, or growers.

These are some of the different settings available to floral designers.

Advanced Degrees Not Required

Business schools, community colleges, and colleges have floral design programs for students interested in learning the trade.

These schools offer a certificate or degree for completion of the program.

Some programs offer an internship or the opportunity to work in the industry and gain valuable experience.

Some florists and event planners hire employees and train them on how to be a floral designer, not requiring any training or education.

Candidates that receive training and education will have better opportunities and the chance to make a better salary.

Floral Designers Work For A Business or Independently

Floral designers working for businesses may answer the phone, order flowers, design arrangements, and perform other duties.

Some work independently in their own business and set fees and hours for themselves.

It gives them the freedom and flexibility to work from home and on a variety of creative projects.

About 20% of floral designers work for themselves as florists, planners, or growers.

Certification and Education Is Available

Training and educational courses are available at many business schools and colleges.

Students can train and then get certified by taking a test.

This gives them more opportunities for higher-paying floral design jobs.

In-person and online training courses offer certification upon completion of the course.

Certification helps with getting a job and changing jobs in the field.

A Chance to Express Creativity and Learn New Skills

Floral designers can take classes to learn new ways to arrange flowers and new techniques.

It is a creative job that allows the designer to make arrangements for customers that meet the customers’ needs.

Floral designers must have an interest in the customer and try to meet their tastes and specifications.

Many floral designers like gardening, growing flowers and plants, and making arrangements for family and friends.

It can be a hobby that grows into a career.

Qualities for a good designer are confidence, the ability to meet customer needs, transparency, personal attention, and unique arrangements.

The Ability to Perform Different Tasks During the Workday

Floral designers often have to use a computer, order flowers, design arrangements, answer the phone, deal with customers, and clean.

This requires many skills and the ability to be flexible.

It can be an interesting job because the person performs an assortment of duties.

Working for a florist can provide the training needed for a person to eventually open their own business.

Some floral designers do go on to own their own business but will need more training to be able to run the shop successfully.

Continuing Education Classes and Seminars

Many professional organizations and schools offer continuing education classes and professional seminars to learn new skills and trends.

This gives the designer a fresh outlook on the industry and the ability to learn new skills that are needed to succeed in the job.

Cons of Being A Floral Designer

Not Enough Opportunity For Advancement

Floral designers often stay in one position and may have room for vertical advancement but not much opportunity to move up the ladder.

They can work for small, medium, or large businesses, but their duties and responsibilities often stay the same.

Many work as freelance floral designers, giving them the flexibility of working for themselves.

Salaries are not as high as owning a florist or their own business.

Floral Design Can Be Stressful

Floral designers often work during the busy season, and holidays, and fill orders for special occasions.

They have to make sure arrangements are delivered on time and are in good condition.

Flowers wilt and they have to deliver them within tight deadlines, this can cause stress.

Often, orders come at the last minute and have to be filled quickly and correctly.

Floral designers often have to attend seminars and classes to learn new techniques and keep up with trends.

This is part of staying up-to-date and pleasing customers.

Holiday seasons and special occasions can be hectic trying to meet many customer demands in a short period of time.

Further Training is Needed to Own A Shop or Business

Most florists that own a business attend college and get an associate degree or bachelor’s.

They take courses in management, business, design, marketing, advertising, and managing employees.

Florists hire floral designers and other employees to work for them.

For floral designers to advance or own their own store, further education is needed to learn the skills needed.

Florists often own garden centers, event planning businesses, florists, and nurseries.

Some florists may train under a manager to learn the business while attending school.

Floral Designers Must Like Collaborating With Customers

Floral designers must have patience and like working with customers.

They need to have the ability to listen and understand what the customer is looking for in an arrangement or design.

Designers often work with clients at emotional times like weddings and funerals and customers may not be decisive and need suggestions and guidance.

When dealing with customers, you must be courteous even when customers may be rude or upset.

You Need to Have Certain Qualities to Succeed

Floral designers must possess certain qualities to succeed in this business.

They must be organized and like collaborating with people.

Floral designers should have the ability to perform different tasks and be creative and like working with flowers and plants.

They should be able to work on a computer because many orders are taken online for customers.

A website and online presence are important skills to attract customers with cell phones and laptops.

The ability to perform a wide variety of tasks is another quality that will help with success.

Floral Designers Must Be Physically Fit

Floral designers should be physically fit and have the ability to stand for long periods of time.

They may be unloading shipments of flowers, standing and making arrangements, cleaning and setting up displays, and even packing vans for delivery.

Most of the day they will be answering the phone, making arrangements, and waiting on customers.

They do not spend their days sitting at a desk working.

It Involves Temporary, Weekend, and Holiday Work

Floral designers that work for large businesses often work on weekends and holidays to fill orders.

Certain times of year are busy and require longer hours for designers.

When last-minute orders come in, they must be filled quickly and correctly.

In the warmer months, with weddings, birthdays, and unique events, longer hours may be required to meet the customer’s needs.

Pros and Cons of Being a Floral Designer – Summary Table

Pros of Being A Floral Designer	Cons of Being A Floral Designer
Variety of Jobs Available	Not Enough Opportunity For Advancement
Advanced Degrees Not Required	Floral Design Can Be Stressful
Floral Designers Work For A Business or Independently	Further Training is Needed to Own A Shop or Business
Certification and Education Is Available	Floral Designers Must Like Collaborating With Customers
A Chance to Express Creativity and Learn New Skills	You Need to Have Certain Qualities to Succeed
The Ability to Perform Different Tasks During the Workday	Floral Designers Must Be Physically Fit
Continuing Education Classes and Seminars	It Involves Temporary, Weekend, and Holiday Work

Should You Become A Floral Designer?

Research the job responsibilities and learn what is required to be successful.

Try a part-time job working in a florist or supermarket, garden center, or grower to learn the skills needed for the job.

Think about attending a business school or college that offers training in floral design.

A strong interest in growing flowers, making floral arrangements for others, gardening, and taking care of plants may make you an ideal candidate for floral design.