Top Floral Design Schools in Montana: Your Guide to Becoming a Floral Designer

Want to become a floral designer in Montana? This guide covers the best floral design schools in Montana and what they offer. Learn about various programs and workshops that can help you start or advance your career in floral design.

Top Floral Design Schools in Montana

Montana is home to several premier floral design schools that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. My Viola Floral Studio, Missoula Floral Design Workshops, and Montana State University Extension stand out for their exceptional programs. Beyond teaching floral design techniques, these institutions immerse students in the practical and creative dynamics of the floral industry.

My Viola Floral Studio

In Great Falls, My Viola Floral Studio offers a variety of one-time classes and workshops that cater to different skill levels and interests. From holiday-themed classes like the Give Thanks Centerpiece and Bountiful Urn classes to the Flower Arranging Fundamentals Workshop, there’s something for everyone. These sessions, taught by founder Jelena Trifunovic, incorporate essential techniques, creative tips, and design principles, providing participants with fresh flowers, vases, and floral cutters to create their own arrangements.

These workshops offer:

Affordable prices ranging from $50 to $60
A unique sensory experience
Fostering mental health and mindfulness
Instruction from Jelena, who has a background in science education

Participants will leave with both technical skills and creative inspiration, thanks to the direct platform support feature.

Missoula Floral Design Workshops

Missoula Floral Design Workshops embrace the natural beauty of Montana, using locally-grown and foraged flowers to reflect the state’s four distinct seasons. These workshops offer a variety of sessions, such as harvest wreath workshops and Wassail flower crown workshops, which provide a hands-on approach to floral design.

Recent workshops have included creating holiday-inspired succulent centerpieces and DIY holiday wreaths. These sessions emphasize a metaphysical and emotional connection to the creative process, fostering an encouraging atmosphere that promotes creativity and new friendships.

Aspiring floral designers will find these workshops, which are available year-round and for specific occasions, to be both accessible and affordable.

Montana State University Extension

Montana State University Extension offers a non-credit Floral Design Trio course that covers beginning, wedding, and advanced floral design techniques. Priced at $99, this course includes all necessary tools and allows participants to create projects like mound arrangements, wedding corsages, and topiary designs.

For those seeking to establish a solid foundation in floral design without the commitment of a full degree program, this comprehensive course is ideal, offering a suitable completion date for your convenience.

Certification and Training for Floral Designers in Montana

While Montana does not require licensure for floral designers, obtaining certification and undergoing proper training can significantly enhance job prospects and earning potential. Certified floral designers have the potential to attract more clients and command higher salaries.

Though most employers do not require formal education in floral design, freelancers and aspiring professionals stand to gain significantly from enrolling in specialized classes or workshops.

National Certification Options

The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), a highly respected organization in the industry, offers national certification for floral designers. To become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD), one must pass the PFDE online exam and a hands-on design evaluation. Maintaining this certification requires paying an annual fee and completing 25 continued education credits every three years.

Penn Foster Career School and Ashworth College are among the online programs that provide certification in floral design. Penn Foster’s program can be completed in about six months and provides a thorough foundation in floral design techniques. Ashworth College offers a diploma after five group lessons, typically completed in four months. These certifications can be particularly valuable for those without prior work experience in floral design.

Local Training Opportunities

The Floral Design Academy in Montana, led by certified floral designer Leisa Cook, offers various classes that cover essential design fundamentals such as balance, color schemes, and proper alignment. These classes also provide guidance on purchasing wholesale flowers and preparing for event floral designs.

Another local option is DIY Wedding Floral Design Coaching, which helps participants create their dream wedding florals, manage their floral budget, and choose the right flowers. These courses often include assistance with finding and setting up internships in the local area, providing practical experience and valuable industry connections.

Exploring Self-Paced Floral Design Courses

For individuals with varying schedules, self-paced floral design courses offer a flexible learning option. These courses:

Allow learners to progress at their own speed
Accommodate busy lifestyles and diverse learning paces
Provide a solid foundation in floral design techniques
Make learning an enjoyable and rewarding way to spark a passion for flowers and floral arrangements.

Online Floral Design Classes

A variety of online platforms cater to different skill levels and interests with their floral design classes. Penn Foster Career School provides an online floral design certificate program that can be completed in approximately five months. Preston Bailey’s Floral Design series offers user-friendly courses accessible to beginners without prior floral design experience.

Other platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and Create Academy offer a variety of classes with flexible scheduling and lifetime access to purchased content. These platforms provide tutorial-style learning, including video lessons, downloadable resources, and forums for peer interaction. Whether you’re a hobbyist or an aspiring professional, these online classes offer valuable knowledge and skills.

Course Content and Structure

Typically, the content and structure of self-paced floral design courses cover the following:

Fundamental tools and techniques of floral arranging
Basic design principles
Specific styles such as wedding and contemporary designs
Flower processing methods
Design strategies for various types of arrangements like boutonnieres, corsages, and centerpieces

Instructional materials required often include detailed instructions and step-by-step guides to help you learn and practice these skills.

Most courses require students to provide their own flowers, tools, and materials for practical exercises. With lifetime access to course materials, students can revisit the content as needed, allowing for continuous learning and skill refinement. This flexibility makes self-paced courses an excellent choice for those who need adaptable learning timelines.

Financial Assistance and Support for Aspiring Floral Designers

Aspiring floral designers can access various financial aid resources to support their education. Financial aid resources come in various forms such as federal aid, scholarships, and vocational rehabilitation services.

These resources, including floral arrangement supplies, can make the journey to becoming a professional florist more affordable and accessible.

Federal Aid and Scholarships

Federal aid options such as Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to students with significant financial need. Additionally, organizations like the American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation offer multiple scholarships for floristry students at various levels.

The Society of American Florists provides both need-based and merit-based scholarships to cover tuition and other educational expenses. The American Floral Endowment awards over 30 scholarships annually to students in floriculture and horticulture, including those studying floral design. The National FFA Organization also offers scholarships for students pursuing careers in agriculture-related fields, including floral design.

Vocational Rehab and Workforce Development Boards

Vocational rehabilitation services and workforce development boards provide additional support and funding for training in new careers or skill upgrades. The ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) offers comprehensive employment and independent living services for individuals with disabilities. Local Career Centers may also offer funding for training, which can benefit aspiring floral designers looking to enhance their skills.

Internship and Job Market Opportunities

Gaining practical experience through internships is crucial for aspiring floral designers. Montana’s job market includes opportunities with local flower shops, event planning companies, and independent floral studios. Understanding the job market can help you identify the best paths to success in this field.

Internship Opportunities

Internships are a valuable source of hands-on experience in floral arrangement and design. Several employers in Montana provide internships or training periods, facilitating on-the-job learning. Internships often involve working with experienced florists in real-world settings, helping you develop practical skills and industry connections.

In Missoula, internships with local flower shops like Bitterroot Flower Shop include activities such as preparing floral arrangements and assisting with event decorations. These opportunities not only enhance your creative skills but also provide insight into the administrative aspects of running a floral business.

Job Market Analysis

Depending on experience and the employment sector, floral designers in Montana can anticipate salaries within the range of $20,110 to $43,150. The ‘Other Services’ sector tends to offer the highest wages, with an average floral designer salary of $38,370 annually. Understanding these salary expectations and key employment sectors can help you make informed decisions about your career path.

In Montana, the job market for floral designers spans the retail trade and other services, offering varying salary levels. By analyzing the job market, you can better understand the opportunities available and position yourself for success in this creative and fulfilling profession.