Advanced Floristry

Who’s it for?

The Academy part-time level 3 qualification is both for those who have covered the essentials in the Beginner’s Academy Level 2 qualification or for florists who’ve tackled the basics, but are keen to take their professional floristry skills and creative techniques to the next level. If you like to learn through structured hands-on practice rather than paperwork, then the Academy Level 3 course is the one for you.

What will I learn?

This is an exciting level of floristry where you move away from tutor lead designs and can start to explore your own style with the help from the teacher and class. We explore techniques and mechanics in more complex work to give you confidence and skill to create any design. The Academy Level 3 qualification covers broadly similar topics to the City & Guilds Level 3, but in a very different way. Around 25% of teaching time is spent on theory and informal class discussion to give you ideas to help your business succeed, but after that it’s all about getting hands-on and practical. There are absolutely no coursework or classroom assessments to complete at Academy Level 3. We are advocates of the European way, which is to establish a complete mastery of fundamental techniques at the beginner and intermediate stage. We want to give you plenty of time in your lessons to develop your creative style and study different mechanics and design ideas.

How’s it structured?

All Academy courses are designed to be super-flexible to accommodate your lifestyle and what you want to achieve. You can study the Level 3 modules as individual units to top up your CPD, or you can commit to full Academy Level 3 qualification from the outset and you pay for each module as you go.

We run the Academy Level 3 course in two locations for you to choose from: at our HQ in Dunchideock, near Exeter and at Avonmouth, near Bristol. Both courses run on Mondays and Tuesdays monthly and each module is 8 days (approx two days a month depending on the term length).

The level 3 part-time course has a total number of 160 guided learning hours (GLH) and takes 12 months. This included 3 modules (Corporate, Funeral and Wedding all 8 days each), heart of design (2 days), mock and exam (2 days) . Total cost is £2610 (3 modules and exam) or with heart of design £2857.50.

Corporate Floristry Designs Module – Level 3, £820. Starts September

In this module, we will cover:

design exploration limited designs
form linear and advanced styles vertical /horizontal design
low designs for coffee table
eye level designs for reception desks, bars, multiple table design ideas
pedestals: waterfall, symmetrical, asymmetric,
explore designs you want to make but don’t know how, such as: Floral Arches and hanging designs, candelabras

exploring current trends and expand your technical knowledge
creating designs for locations
selling your design to customer
consultations and planning an event
looking at your target market
insurances
risk assessment
costing for profit
colour blends and contrasts and how to use them in design for visual effect
design theory
writing contracts

Wedding Bridal Design Module – Level 3, £820. Starts April/May

In this module, we will explore:

range of shower bouquets, using different mediums and construction.
creating stylized bridal bouquets, looking at different shapes and mechanics.
european proportion to help with grouping.
limited bridal design.
corsages and buttonholes shapes.
development of interesting techniques used in modern bridal designs.
trending designs.
baskette and designed bridal hand-ties.
flower jewellery and designs for the hair bouquet
cone handle designs.

customer consultations – good practice
costing for profit and quoting for a wedding
planning and buying for a wedding
colour blends
design proportion and how to use elements in design
perfecting design and creating the perfect look
how to create your own bespoke designs
writing contracts
creating packages for the client

Funeral Designs Module – Level 3, £820. Starts January

In this unit, you will explore:

design and make a range of designs using a preformed and self formed bases.
design a range of environmentally friendly woodland burial designs.
3d designs, using foam and moss.
look at a range of contemporary coffin spray’s and European funeral design.
exploring a range of techniques and construction methods and look at inspiration from international designers which you can apply to your own work.
learn how to interpret the customer’s requirements to create initiative funeral designs that have a very personal touch.

how to become a specialised florist
how contrast can perfect designs
costing for profit
using golden section in design
consultations with the customer
social media
what judges will look for in competitions
perfecting design and creating the perfect look

Funeral Designs Module – Level 3, £820. Starts January

Heart of Design Module, £247.50

We also expect students to take the Academy Heart of Design module on the essential principles of design at either Academy Level 2 or Academy Level 3. You only need to take it once, though!

Who are my Academy Level 3 tutors?

You will be in very good hands with our friendly team of Academy tutors. We are all highly qualified florists and tutors with considerable real, commercial floristry experience – and we are absolutely passionate about what we do. The tutors teaching the Academy of Floral Art Level 3 course this year are: Julie Collins and Kathryn Delve. If you need help in finding accommodation and transport or have any questions just give us a call on 01392 834893.

Available Courses

If you need help in finding accommodation and transport or have any questions just give us a call on 01392 834893.

To book on a course:

1. Check the start date of the module or course delivery you prefer (weekends/ weekly/week)- see above start dates.
2. Click the module box above which will give you course dates and course content and booking page.
3. Click Book Now Button and this will provide you with a selection of start dates; make sure it is the venue and delivery you want.
4. Sign into the website when booking, and this will allow you to pay by card at a future date, £150 deposit will secure your place, and full payment is due 14 days before course starts (see terms and conditions).
5. You will receive confirmation of booking and an email from us over the next few days with lots of useful information.
6. Welcome to the Academy and your floral journey.