FdA Professional Floristry and Floral Design (On-line) (Online)

FdA Professional Floristry and Floral Design (On-line)

• Key Information
• Course Content
• Additional Information
• How to Apply

Click to Apply: FdA Professional Floristry and Floral Design (On-line)

Course Description:

This Foundation Degree, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, is a step forward for the floral designer, exploring all aspects of floral design to a professional standard - traditional, period, contemporary and experimental designs. Incorporated within these designs are the latest trends in manipulation of fresh plant material and experimental designs using modern decorative accessories.

Specialist design modules include; historical, sympathy, cultural, wedding and large scale event design. The student will also develop knowledge of all essential and additional professional floristry techniques, business management, and research methods for the design industries. Students are given the opportunity to develop their event management skills and work on many live briefs to develop a varied and specialist portfolio throughout the course.

COURSE CONTENT:

Year 1

Professional Floristry

This module is a largely practical one. The student will develop professional commercial skills in the design and construction of a range of commercial floral pieces. Native floral design styles, influences and key floral designers will be studied. Students will develop a portfolio of the design work completed in the first year of the course. The student will gain experience in presenting and in communicating their knowledge.

Principles and Elements of Design (half module)

This is a very creative and inspiring module where the principles and elements of design are studied. This provides the student with the underpinning knowledge in design which will be applied to all other practical modules throughout the programme. The student will explore each of the principles and elements in practical sessions using a variety of mediums.

Sympathy Floral Design (half module)

The student will be given an overview of the sympathy floral design industry. Students will gain practical experience in creating specialised funeral designs and the module will also cover communication with a variety of clients and building relationships with funeral directors.

Floristry Workroom Management

The basic principles involved in preparation, care, conditioning, installation, storage and maintenance of flower and plant material and floristry products is studied. A working knowledge of plant identification will be gained. Sustainability, countries of production and Health and Safety policies within the floristry industry will also be covered.

Historical Floral Design (half module)

The aim of this module is to give the student an introduction to historical developments in floristry and floral design. The use of flowers and foliages throughout the ages will be studied. The student will create a variety of practical pieces using traditional and modern construction methods. Students will also study period settings enabling them to create designs that are sympathetic within historical buildings.

Floral Techniques and Concepts (half module)

The student will gain a repertoire of professional floristry techniques. Students will create a range of professional floral pieces to enable them to develop their understanding of principles and elements of design. The student will produce a working document to give them the confidence to accurately interpret different techniques and concepts.

Year 2

Work Skills Development

This module provides students with first-hand experience where students will use their industry environment to develop practical and technical skills. Students will record and reflect on their own personal development during the module.

Business Management

This module introduces key areas of management activity such as human resource management, leadership, marketing and finance to allow students to develop further knowledge and skills to improve future employability in land based industries.

Cultural Floral Design (half module)

The student will gain an understanding of how flowers are used in different cultures. The student will gain specialist practical experience in creating designs that are suitable for a variety of cultural events including weddings, sympathy use and festivals.

Additional Floral Techniques and Concepts (half module)

This is a very practical module where the student will develop an advanced understanding of new and challenging professional floristry techniques. The student will be encouraged to use the skills necessary to explore innovative designs possibilities using a range of contemporary principles.

International Floral Design Trends

This module builds on the foundations laid in the ‘Principles and Elements of Design’ module from Year 1. The student will experiment with all aspects of international floral design to develop their own style and flair. A variety of international designers from a range of design disciplines will be studied for inspiration.

Year 3

Work Project

This module applies the practical, technical and personal skills developed in the Work Skills Development module. It will utilise a structured work environment for students to identify a suitable project, and work with their supervisor in developing and managing the project and reporting on the outcomes. Students will be encouraged to use the work project to develop professional working relationships and identify their chosen career options.

Wedding and Event Floral Design (double module)

This specialised double module focuses on bridal party flowers both traditional and contemporary in style. The student will create a wide range of practical wedding designs for the bridal party, venues and receptions including large scale event designs, period, modern and experimental pieces. The student will also study the underpinning knowledge of wedding consultations and event planning, creating client specifications and costing their work for the commercial market in order to excel as a freelance florist.

Research Development

The student will gain the ability to undertake investigative research for the floral design industries. The student will develop research skills that will be useful in the professional context should they wish to become self-employed, as well as the academic context should they wish to continue with further study. Topics include market research skills, research methodology, information collection techniques, information analysis and writing skills.

Detailed Course Content

Student Handbook (2015 Entry)

Programme Specification and Handbook (2016 Entry)

Myerscough College Policies and Procedures

Assessment:

Portfolio design, sketchbook development, practical time constrained exercises, variety of working industry documents, viva, presentations, team work and communication assessments.

Links with Professional Body:

The College works with the British Florist Association and the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies.

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for this course include:

Access to broadband internet and a computer

Floral Design Tools and Equipment - £350

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for this course include:

Camera and Tablet - £200

Learning Environment:

Online lectures, video seminars, briefs and peer involvement. The course is delivered via Myerscough's virtual learning environment.

Additional Information:

Myerscough College hosts Floral Art & Design Exhibitions. Students studying the Professional Floristry and Floral Design online courses may have the opportunity to exhibit at this time.

Work Experience:

Students are required to undertake relevant industry experience in a floristry or floral design enterprise. The course is structured to ensure that lectures are built around the peak periods of Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day to enable students to gain real life experience at these times. There is no formal industrial placement on this course.

What do students think about this course?

“Teaching spaces are ideal for lectures and the more artistic design side”

“We are really happy that we have managed to secure extra floristry resources by running the weekly pop-up shop”

“Having business modules has really helped me put my idea of running my own business into practice”

“It’s hard work but it’s fun!”

What are our graduates doing now?

Joanne launched her own business the summer after graduating from the Foundation Degree course. A year later she has a thriving shop and flourishing career she says:

“I chose Myerscough because the Foundation Degree includes so many important subjects – everything from historical designs to advanced floral techniques, business management and practical work experience. I’ve been inspired by the best designers at workshops with master florists like Max van de Sluis”.

Vicky completed a Level 3 NVQ Apprenticeship before joining the Foundation Degree course. In her first year on the course she gained employment as a Sales Rep at a wholesalers of fresh and sundries floral supplies. During her time in this job she has gained excellent experience of the products that florists use, as well as part of the design consultancy team to redesign the ‘Fresh Flower Display’ units for Booths, a large supermarket retail chain.

What international opportunities are available?

Students have been offered the opportunity to work alongside international designers such as Per Benjamin, Tomas de Bruyne, Max van de Sluis, Marie-Francoise Deprez, Pim van den Akker.

Students may be given the opportunity to study in the USA following their course as part of a placement with Ohio University.

Students have gained employment in a number of international hotel chains including Bermuda.

Progression:

Upon successful completion, students may be able to apply to progress to Honours Degree in related subjects, for instance the BA (Hons) Professional Floristry and Floral Design (Top-up) at Myerscough College (College-based).

What careers can you follow:

The course aims to provide students with the opportunity to work at graduate level in the floral design industries. It promotes an ethos of self-development and reflection of practical and technical floristry and enterprise skills. Module content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout.

Examples of possible careers include:

· Senior Florist/Shop Manager

· Self-employed with own business

· Freelance Floral Designer

· Exhibition Work

· Window Dressing

· Demonstrator

· Buyer/Designer for Multi-national Stores

You can now APPLY ONLINE using the links on the right

How To Apply

To apply for this course please select the coloured tab, relating to the centre you wish to study at, on the right hand side of this screen. You can save your progress if you prefer to do it in stages but you must complete all sections of the form.

Myerscough College - general contact details Address: Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston
Lancashire PR3 0RY
Telephone:01995 642222 Email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk Individual Learning Requirements Prospective students who have a learning difficulty or disability that may affect their studies should inform the College as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustments can be initiated, as appropriate. Where necessary students will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments. If students wish to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance they need to seek advice from Student Finance England (or equivalent) which funds this provision for Higher Education Students. Please note that DSA funding is not available on all courses.

Please note that the information provided in this fact sheet was accurate at the date of publication. However, courses are continually being modified and information is therefore subject to change.