Tell the Allied florists
you found them on
AlliedFloristsofHouston.org!

Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists

...When only the best will do.

Focus on Design
Floral Design Competitions
by Alex Torres AIFD TMF

Hello Readers, and welcome to another addition of my column.

This is an exciting time of year for all of us involved in the Texas State Florists Association (TSFA). The month of March brings with it a fabulous opportunity to participate in the preliminaries of the TEXAS CUP floral design competition. This year's preliminary phase will be held in Austin, Texas at the Home and Garden Show in the Convention Center. The contest is open to any and all members of TSFA in good standing.

Floral design competitions give you a unique opportunity to test your floral design skills. They are also phenomenally rewarding personal growth experiences. A competition is the perfect chance to see just how much you have progressed as a floral designer. If you are interested in floral design and like the adrenaline rush that only competing can provide, then floral design competitions are the place for you!! The prospect of having your personal efforts scrutinized by a panel of trained professionals, who also happen to be your peers, may at first seem daunting. All of your insecurities and fears will stare you straight in the face and demand your full attention. Believe me, you are not alone. Competing in floral design competitions has been, for me personally, an exciting, rewarding, and educational experience. Mostly, it's just lots and lots of fun.  You just can't beat the lessons you learn in time management and how to think on your toes!!!

Floral design competitions are usually structured with competing floral designers unaware of the product they will be given. It is up to the designers to use as little or much product as they choose in each design assigned. Everyone is given the same variety of flowers, foliage, and accessories. It is up to each designer to make gorgeous, distinct designs in the time allotted. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to give floral design competitions a shot!! It is an invaluable experience. Through the score sheets you are given, you can see what areas in your work need attention.

I was recently fortunate enough to witness Allied Florists of Houston's Houston Cup competition as a monitor. There are some really talented floral designers in our association. I was proud to call myself a member of The Allied Florists of Houston.

I thought I would offer my help to the Texas Cup Preliminary contestants in the form of advice and tips that I have found useful in my journey across the enchanted territory known as the floral design competition circuit.

Alex's Texas Cup Designs

First things first, I am a firm believer that healthy competition is great for the soul. It allows us to push the envelope as it pertains to our floral design abilities.  Most importantly, it reveals our true potential.  I have personally seen some absolutely amazing floral designs created in the heat of the moment that astounded even the contestant that was creating them.

We as creative individuals strive to make all of our daily floral arrangements shine. That is enough for our everyday customers, none of which are floral designers.  However, when we are designing in a floral competition, it is  very obvious  we are trying to impress a  group of people who are highly skilled and very qualified to discern between regular everyday work and true floral design in its glorious, most urgently raw and creative edge.

What are the judges looking for?? In my humble opinion, I can honestly state they are the most interested in design work  that  is professional. Floral design competition judges are floral designers themselves. Therefore, they are very well versed in all aspects of the floral industry. They are looking for things from a floral designer's point of view. Here is a list of some of the things floral design competition judges are looking for:

CLEAN LINE — The eye should be able to move effortlessly through the design. The line should be dynamic, never static...always with the assurance that no lines are crossing or in any way hindering the design's rhythm.

IMPECCABLE MECHANICS — I can not put enough emphasis on this.  ALWAYS COVER YOUR MECHANICS!!! Be sure to trim mosses for a cleaner look.  Completely cover all exposed foam. Thoroughly inspect all your work and carefully remove any and all traces of adhesives. Carefully trim any foliage to make the design as pristine as possible. It is important that everything is taped, glued, or otherwise properly secured. All greening pins, cable ties, wire, tape, etc. should be completely concealed in a manner consistent with proper design. I always say that what makes a true floral designer stand out is the ability to provide the judges with a design that will make them have to figure out how it was put together.

STRONG FOCAL POINT— The point of convergence from where everything radiates should be clearly identifiable. Some floral designers incorporate various focal points, but that can work against you if it is not executed properly.

CREATIVE EDGE— Most importantly, get creative and focus on trying to show the judges floral designs they have never seen before.

CONSISTENCY— This is probably the issue that makes or breaks a floral designer's chance at doing well in a floral design competition. Some floral designers manage an amazing funeral piece or a breath taking bridal bouquet, but fall short in the other categories. Floral designers need to understand and be very aware that the competition is about staying consistent in all categories. Granted, we all have our forte’ but the floral designer that articulates every category in a consistent manner wins the competition.

I can honestly tell you that winning the floral design competitions I've won has done wonders for my self appreciation where my designs are concerned. I had never even dared to dream of competing, and yet here I am to show what a desire to achieve and a lot of dedication can accomplish. I remember it was my former employer who gently pushed me into entering my first competition (Gayle Johnson AAF, TMFA). She told me to be confident in my abilities as a floral designer and to just have fun with it. After all, the experience is about personal growth and challenging yourself.  Now here I am, the proud winner of The 2001 Houston Cup, The 2005 Texas Cup, and The 2005 Sylvia Cup. I can't help but think how much these rewarding experiences have changed my whole perception on what I can and can't achieve.

To all floral designers considering entering a floral design competition, I salute you and I say, JUST DO IT!! You will not regret it. The experience is wonderful and very gratifying. Go with an open mind and just enjoy the competition. Remember, you are a winner just for having the desire to achieve. Take it from someone who has been there. It is stressful, trying, and nerve wreaking but I promise you will love every minute of it.

Next month's column will be a comparison piece inspired by Renee Carpenter TMFA. It will feature traditional funeral sprays that can be up sold with minimal changes in similar materials.

Keep those e-mails and comments coming.  I promise to answer every last one.  For any questions or comments pertaining to this article and its content please contact me at alextorrestmf@aol.com.

When you look for a florist, look for the Allied Florist logo - your assurance of Professional Quality and Service.