Floral design artists with more than three years in the flower business are being encouraged to enroll now to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD), a new program offered by the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
"The demand for this new public recognition designation is high," reports AIFD Executive Director Tom Shaner, “and the veteran designer can easily qualify for the evaluation process."
AIFD requires floral design artists to successfully complete one of five education pathways before they can enroll in the CFD Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) process. Designers with more than three years in the business can qualify as part of AIFD’s Education Pathway Five which asks that applicants complete a Professional Skills Assessment application and include a resumé and two letters of recommendation with their initial application fee.
Once the designer successfully completes the required education pathway, makes his or her application, and pays the first part of tuition to become a CFD, he or she enters into the two-part PFDE.
The first part of the PFDE is an online test which is based on the AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques and Traditions (CFD Candidates will receive a copy). Candidates must score 80% or better on the test to be fully eligible to participate in the second phase of the PFDE – a live design session in which the Candidate demonstrates his or her design proficiencies.
The next live design session PFDE will take place on July 1, 2010 in Boston immediately prior to the AIFD National Symposium "Revolution." Candidates must be enrolled in the PFDE by April 15, 2010 to be able to participate in that session.
As alternatives to the Professional Skills Assessment PFDE education pathway, floral design artists interested in becoming a CFD or AIFD member may opt for one of four other pathways including: a series of online and live classes offered by AIFD, completion of courses that meet learning objectives as established by AIFD and offered by approved private floral design schools or state floral association certification programs, or completion of undergraduate degree or studies in approved programs. For further information on AIFD, its online courses and schedules, or the CFD PFDE process, visit www.aifd.org.
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